Rick Scott’s straw poll pep talk

Chris Moody
·Political Reporter

ORLANDO, Fla. -- To hear Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott talk about Saturday's presidential straw poll, you'd think the fate of the entire nation depends on a few Republicans in the Sunshine State.

"Your choice today will set in motion a chain of events that could ultimately determine whether the American Dream lives or dies," Scott told more than 3,000 members of the Republican Party of Florida before the straw poll on Saturday.

The weekend straw poll, known as "Presidency 5," is the culmination of a three-day marathon of events that kicked off Thursday with a presidential debate and a conference of activists on Friday hosted by the American Conservative Union. The party has conducted the straw poll three times since 1979, and each time, the winner went on to win the Republican nomination.

"You, the delegates here today, will send a strong signal about who will be Florida's choice. As Florida goes, so goes the nation. And as you go, so goes Florida," Scott said. "That's why your vote in today's straw poll carries extraordinary weight, as does your opinion leading up to the primary. You have an equally extraordinary duty to choose wisely."

The party will announce the results at 6 PM ET.