The free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) announced the results of a nonpartisan straw poll taken at The Defending the American Dream Regional Conference on Sunday, June 9^th in Sioux Falls.

Event attendees from both parties filled out the ballots indicating their choice for President of the United States, as well as their approval of President Bush, the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, Senator John Thune, Senator Tim Johnson, Congressman Stephanie Hereseth, Governor Mike Rounds, the South Dakota Legislature, and their own unidentifiable legislators. Approval ratings were based on a scale of 1-5 (5 being best).

The straw poll was conducted by AFP employees, and the order of candidate names was determined based on a random drawing. (A PDF image of the straw poll ballot is attached.)

The results of the non-partisan poll are as follows:

1^st Place - Former Senator Fred Thompson

2^nd Place – Former Governor Mitt Romney
3^nd Place - Senator John McCain

4^th Place - TIE - Former Speaker Newt Gingrich

4^th Place - TIE -Congressman Ron Paul

4^th Place - TIE - Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani

5^th Place – TIE - Senator Barack Obama

5^th Place – TIE - Former Governor Mike Huckabee

5^th Place – TIE - Former Governor Tommy Thompson

5^th Place – TIE - Congressman Mike Pence (Write-In)

The following are the results of this opinion poll:

President Bush: 2.76 out of 5.
Senator John Thune: 4 out of 5.
Senator Tim Johnson: 2 out of 5.
Congressman Stephanie Hereseth: 1.73 out of 5.
Governor Mike Rounds: 2.78 out of 5.

U.S. Senate (as a whole): 2.38 out of 5.
U.S. House (as a whole): 2.46 out of 5.
S.D. Legislature (as a whole): 3.31 out of 5.

Unidentifiable Legislators of Participant: 3.35 out of 5.

“Achieving the American Dream is a goal that transcends party lines,” said Duane Sand, South Dakota State Director of Americans for Prosperity. “I am glad that Americans for Prosperity could provide this opportunity for South Dakota taxpayers to have their voices heard.”