Huckabee finishes third in straw poll in Benton County

BENTONVILLE (AP) Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee found little love in the most Republican county in his home state, which chose long-shot candidate Ron Paul and rival Mitt Romney over the former Arkansas governor in an unofficial tally.

Huckabee finished third in a straw poll Tuesday night sponsored by the Benton County Republican Committee. Paul finished first and Romney second in the poll, in which committee members and guests were allowed to participate.

Paul got 52 of 142 votes, while Romney got 35 and Huckabee 30. John McCain came in fourth with 20 votes and Rudy Giuliani had four. Fred Thompson came in last with one vote, despite having dropped out of the race earlier in the day.

Huckabee's campaign and Benton County Republican leaders played down the significance of the poll, which was used to help raise money for the party.

"I think it would be wrong to over-interpret this (vote)," Benton County Republican Committee Chairman George Spence said.

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"We've yet to campaign here for the Republican nomination. Once we do, we expect to see support all across the state," Huckabee spokeswoman Alice Stewart said.

Rep. Donna Hutchinson, a Romney supporter who helped produce radio advertisements in Iowa criticizing Huckabee on immigration, said the vote reflected disappointment with the former governor among the party's base in northwest Arkansas.

"I think it indicates a problem that has been below the surface that no one has talked about," Hutchinson said. "A lot of Republicans are upset."

Sen. Dave Bisbee, a former floor leader for Huckabee, cast his vote in the poll for McCain.

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