CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz won 31 percent of Chicago Republicans' support Thursday night in a straw poll after the GOP Debate.
Picking up in the wake of the "New York values" feud that made its way into a heated discussion between Cruz and businessman Donald Trump, Chicago GOP Chairman Chris Cleveland tossed a little fuel onto the fire with a comment exclusive to Illinois Review:
"Last night, Ted Cruz said that not many conservatives come out of Manhattan. They sure do come out of Chicago," Cleveland, who also serves as co-chairman of Illinois' Cruz campaign, said.
Onto the report by IR citizen journalist Mark Weyermuller -
Last night the Chicago Young Republicans held their debate watch party at the Old Crow, a tavern on Kinzie Street in the River North neighborhood. It ended up being a standing room only crowd watching on 20 televisions while munching on beef brisket sliders and drinking speciality beers.
Jeff Haim (CYR President) gave a warm up speech from a balcony asking people to cheer and boo in true tavern debate tradition. He was joined by Chicago GOP chairman Chris Cleveland. The event was co-hosted by the Chicago Republicans Women's Network and the Chicago Northside Republicans. The event was also attended by students including several from the DePaul College Republicans.
The Chicago Northside Republicans are a new group, an extension of the Chicago GOP. The CNRs are responsible for building grassroots support on north-side of Chicago. It is co-chaired by Paul Laliberte and Christopher Grozev. They are sourcing volunteers and fielding qualified candidates for a number of offices, and increasing the footprint of the Chicago GOP on the north-side.
The breakdown of the CYR presidential straw poll which was held during the debate at Old Crow. It is not necessarily an indication of who won or lost the debate but more of the preference of the people attending.
- Ted Cruz 31.9%
- Marco Rubio 26.4%
- Donald Trump 16.7%
- Rand Paul 9.7%
- John Kasich 8.3%
- Chris Christie 1.9%
- Ben Carson 1.9%
- Rick Santorum 1.9%
- Carly Fiorina 1.9%
- Jeb Bush 0%
- Mike Huckabee 0%
Some details include Rand Paul coming in fourth while not attending either debate last night. The 1.9% represents those receiving just one vote. Also notable is Huckabee and Bush receiving zero votes. 72 attendees participated in the straw poll.
Other upcoming CYR events include a viewing of a new film: "13 hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, at the AMC River East 21 Theater (322 East Illinois Street, Chicago) Sunday, January 17 at 11:30 a.m. Purchase tickets on your own through Fandango ($6.37 each). Meet in the lobby at 11:00 a.m.
Earlier in the week, President Obama gave his annual State of the Union address leaving one chair empty as a symbol of victims of so call "gun violence." Many people question this term as an attacked on the Second Amendment (the right to keep and bear arms) and often consider it "people violence."
We set up four empty chairs at our house for the four victims of the attack on our embassy on 9-11-2012. The film "13 Hours" surely will be a major film that will bring the attention back to President Obama and then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's actions or lack of actions back in the headlines.
