Without even entering the race for Republican nominee for 2012, Texas Gov. Rick Perry comes in a close second to Mitt Romney and ahead of Michele Bachmann in today’s newest Rasmussen Poll:
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary Voters finds Romney earning 22% support, closely followed by Perry, the Texas governor who is expected to enter the race soon, with 18% of the vote. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is in third place with 16%.
But the key figures to watch are those that show that among Likely Republican Primary Voters, 39% identify themselves as members of the Tea Party, while 43% say they’re not, with a mysterious 17% saying they’re not sure whether they are or aren’t.
Tea Partiers favor Perry as their first choice, while non-Tea Party Republicans favor Romney: “Perry leads among Tea Party members with 28% support. Bachmann runs second in this group with 22% of the vote, with Romney at 16% closely followed by Cain’s 13%. Among primary voters who are not Tea Party members, Romney captures 29% of the vote. Perry (13%), Bachmann (11%) and Paul (10%) follow at a distance.”
Of course, Perry’s numbers with all groups could eclipse Romney’s is he were to declare himself a candidate for the Presidency. As of this writing, he has not done so.
Romney is a RINO. His record proves it. He backs the wrong issues (AGW, ethanol, health care reform). He comes across as less-than-genuine.
Perry, while he has some positions I dun agree with, still appears to be the superior (potential) candidate. he needs to get his @55 in gear and announce. =’[.]‘=
I find it hard to believe that Palin was not either included, or did not even register on the scale? There is something wrong here.
i think many have accepted the notion that sarah palin isn’t running and are in the market for another wagon to hitch their stars
I’d like to point out that Romney is decidedly in the minority, while leading in the polls consistently. The Tea Party vote is split. Once some of them drop out of the race, you will see some serious consolidation behind a Tea Party candidate, and Romney will be way behind.
We will see the field winnowed after the Ames Straw poll. Folks think it is not important, but it is an indicator of the strength or weakness of 2nd & 3rd-tier candidates. If they fare poorly, the money dries up and they fold their tents. I expect Gingrich, Santorum, Huntsman, Johnson to all be gone this month or next. Cain will still (barely) have the strength to stay in it.
This race will come down to Romney, Bachmann, Cain, & Paul. If Perry or Palin get in, they will be in it, too.