Ron Paul Wins 2011 Values Voter Straw Poll

Jason Merritt/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The Texas congressman and presidential candidate who remains in the single digits in most national polls emerged as the choice of 37 percent of those who cast ballots at the annual Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C.

Former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain, who has been surging in national presidential primary polls, came in second with 23 percent of the vote, followed by Rick Santorum who garnered 16 percent. Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann tied for fourth — both with 8 percent.

Current GOP front-runner Mitt Romney, who addressed the conference on Saturday, wound up near the bottom of the pack with 4 percent.

The top four vice presidential choices: Michele Bachmann; Herman Cain; Marco Rubio; and Rick Santorum.

Saturday’s results were very different from last year’s Values Voter straw poll. The support for both Romney and Newt Gingrich declined markedly. Last year, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., won the straw poll and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee took second place. Paul barely registered in 2010.

As ABC News’ Jason Volack reported, Rep. Paul spoke to the audience of hundreds of social conservatives in Washington earlier Saturday, telling them that war was the greatest threat to the modern family.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio