In a huge upset for Rick Perry’s presidential campaign, he finished a distant second to Herman Cain in Florida’s straw poll. Cain won 37% of the 2,657 votes cast, with Perry securing 15.4%. Public perception of Perry slipped in light of his underwhelming performance at the most recent GOP debate. Perry has come under fire for his stance on providing in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. Cain’s straw poll win was the result of his smooth debate performance.
The straw poll came as a huge blow for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who came in third with 14%. Romney has been campaigning for president for five and a half years, whereas Perry has only been in the running for five and a half weeks. Romney’s challenge is resonating with conservative voters.
