Romney wins big in Michigan straw poll

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, won the National Journal Hotline/National Association of Home Builders Straw Poll in Michigan Saturday.

Romney received 51 percent of the 681 votes cast reports National Journal.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry gained 17 percent of votes. It was Perry's second straw poll defeat his weekend. Businessman Herman Cain pulled off a shocking upset victory in Florida’s Presidency 5 Straw Poll on Saturday, winning more votes than GOP frontrunners Perry and Romney combined.

The Michigan straw poll was held at the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference.

The poll also found Sen. Marco Rubio to be the top choice for vice-president. Rubio won 23 percent of the votes cast for a vice presidential nominee followed by Cain in second place with 14 percent.

Cain finished third in the Michigan poll, earning 9 percent of votes.  Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) earned 8 percent.

Fellow lawmaker Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) won 4 percent.  Bachmann, who won the influential Ames Straw Poll, has struggled to maintain her momentum, losing ground after Perry's entry into the race.

Romney played up his ties to Michigan during the weekend-long conference.

Mackinac Island was the home of the Michigan governor's mansion when Romney's father, George, led the state, and Romney has repeatedly emphasized his fond memories of the island. Mitt took his now-wife Ann to the island when they were 16 years old.

He also won the straw poll at the convention's meeting in 2007.

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