The Lexington County GOP held their county convention today and also conducted a Presidential straw poll.  Despite being one of the most solidly red counties in the country and a critical vote contributor in South Carolina, there were no candidates present.  However there are a few notes worth mentioning.  Let’s start with the results of the straw poll:

Romney: 67

McCain: 29

Rudy: 26

Hunter: 16

Brownback: 9

F. Thompson: 9

Huckabee: 7

Undecided: 1

Notes: 

During the surrogate speeches, T-Rav, who was speaking on behalf Rudy, deviated from (what he called) all this congeniality and went negative on John McCain and Mitt Romney.  While promoting his candidate, the Treasurer likened Romney to Hillary Clinton and chastised John McCain fornot voting for the Bush tax cuts.  It was a move that seemed to have little effect on the crowd as Rudy placed third behind both Romney and McCain.

Katrina Shealy, a known Lexington activist who was highlighted in an article about female activists and their contribution to the GOP, was elected Chairman of the Lexington County GOP.  She pledged to get the Party back into its place of prominance in the Presidential races and promised a major event by fall.

Senator Lindsey Graham gave a rousing speech that left everyone on their feet applauding enthusiastically, despite a bit more tepid reception when he first strode to the podium.  He was energized and clearly demonstrated why anyone thinking about challenging him should think again.  Next was Senator Jim DeMint, who has been a shooting star in the conservative resurgence in DC, spoke on behalf of Mitt Romney.  During his speech he took all of his fiscal conservative, anti-pork, rising star street cred and vouched for Governor Romney as the man to support in South Carolina.  He made no bones about it and it seemed to resonate with delegates.