(Via NBC) Donald Trump handily won the straw poll at the National Federal of Republican Assemblies event in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, becoming both the first and second top pick among conservatives here after delivering another boisterous speech.
“I don’t want it to be about me. This is about common sense,” Trump said, even as he extolled his surging numbers. “Normally I wouldn’t say this, but I need your frickin’ votes!” he exclaimed at another point.
A few hours after addressing a cheering crowd of about 800, Trump was declared the first choice Republican presidential candidate with 52% of the vote, as well as the top pick for attendees’ second choice, with 26%. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former neurosurgeon Ben Carson were the second and third choices, respectively, in the NFRA straw poll for first and second-choice candidates.
While straw polls are not known for their scientific specificity or methodology, Saturday’s result is just the latest in a series of successes at the polls for Trump, who on Saturday called his candidacy “a movement” and his supporters “a silent majority.” (read more)