CPAC straw poll smashes media narrative of divided conservative movement

GRAPEVINE, Texas — The annual straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference shattered the mainstream media’s narrative about sharp division among the activists at the convention over President Trump and the Iran war.

Several media outlets reported during the week that there was a major political rift among attendees at the CPAC gathering being held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center over issues related to Israel’s and President Trump’s decision to unleash military strikes on Iran.

However, according to CPAC’s straw poll Saturday, conducted by McLaughlin and Associates, in which 1,600 CPAC attendees responded, an overwhelming majority of respondents showed otherwise.

Pollster Jim McLaughlin read a few headlines from the stage, and the audience responded with boos as the outlets’ names appeared on screen.

“Look at some of the things the media has been saying about us. OK, this is going to be really interesting. The fake news, what they’ve been telling us about us,” he said. “’Republicans turn on Trump at CPAC: Can’t stand the guy,’” he read from a Newsweek headline.

“’The war in Iran is driving a generational divide between MAGA men at CPAC,’” he read from a Politico headline.

Another headline from the Wall Street Journal read, “Republican divide on Iran.”

A Reuters headline says, “At CPAC, a generational divide over Republican support for Israel.”

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The outlets relied on comments from a handful of attendees and speakers, including Stephen K. Bannon and former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, which gave some in the media the impression that the conservative movement was fractured, given Mr. Bannon’s and Mr. Gaetz’s views on sending U.S. troops to Iran.

One CPAC attendee’s reaction to Mr. Gaetz’s and Mr. Bannon’s remarks was tantamount to “mom and dad fighting in the kitchen, and we’re out here, and it doesn’t matter.”

However, when asked about whether they approve of Mr. Trump’s decision to use military force in Iran to remove Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 89% approved, 70% strongly approved, 19% somewhat approved, 8% disapproved, 4% somewhat disapproved, 4% strongly disapproved and 3% were unsure.

Mr. Trump is also still getting high marks from conservatives at the conference, with 94% who say he has been “the best president in my lifetime.” Eighty percent strongly agree with that statement. Fourteen percent somewhat agree, while 5% disagree, 3% somewhat disagree, 2% strongly disagree and 1% were unsure.

Eighty-five percent of CPAC attendees agree that Israel continues to be one of the U.S.’s most important allies and 60% of that number strongly agree and 25% somewhat agree.

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Only 11% disagree, 6% somewhat disagree, 5% strongly disagree and 4% were unsure.

Attendees were also asked about whether they thought if many “supposed conservative leaders and influencers are creating unnecessary controversy and division in the MAGA movement in order to get attention and make money which will hurt the conservative movement, President Trump” and their electoral chances in November.

Eighty-eight percent agreed, 62% strongly agreed, 26% somewhat agreed, 8% disagreed, 5% somewhat disagreed, 3% strongly disagreed and 4 % were unsure.

• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.