US Republican Paul wins straw poll

Supporters of Republican presidential
candidate US Rep. Ron Paul of Texas
© AFP/Getty Images/File Justin Sullivan

AFP

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) - Republican Representative Ron Paul won a presidential straw poll on Saturday at a major gathering of party activists debating who should take on President Barack Obama in November 2012.

The result was largely a symbolic victory for the libertarian-oriented Paul, and was seen as unlikely to shape whom the party will ultimately pick as their candidate for the White House in a nominating convention more than a year away.