Palin, Romney Lead In Early GOP 2012 Gallup Poll
Once again, Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin are at the top of the field in the GOP 2012 race, but that may not last forever.
Once again, a poll of potential Republican candidates in 2012 has the usual suspects at the top:
PRINCETON, NJ — Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin lead other potential candidates in Republicans’ preferences for the party’s 2012 presidential nomination. Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul also receive more than 5% support from Republicans nationwide.
Gallup, in a poll conducted Sept. 25-26, asked Republicans and Republican-leaning independents which of 12 possible candidates they would be most likely to support for the party’s nomination. All 12 candidates are thought to be seriously considering a run for president, and many of them have already visited Iowa and New Hampshire, the states holding the first nominating contests.
In addition to the 12 named candidates, 1% of respondents volunteered the name of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Christie, in his first year as governor of the state, has become a prominent GOP figure, though he is not expected to run for president in 2012.
Here are the full results:
As I’ve said, none of this is a surprise. Romney, Palin, Huckabee, Gingrich, and Paul are really the only names on this list that have any degree of national name recognition. At some point, the guys further down the list are going to have to make some effort to get their names out there if they are going to have any chance of breaking through the pack. Most likely, it’s those candidates — Pawlenty, Daniels, Pence, Thune, Santorum — that we will see make early announcements in 2011, or even late 2010, so that they can start putting together some semblance of a fundraising organization.
The smart money right now says that the GOP nominee will end up being someone like Palin, because of her fanatical supporters, or Romney, because of his seemingly unlimited ability to spend money. However, it’s worth remembering that, at this point in the 2008 cycle, the “smart money” would’ve also said that the GOP nominee would be Rudy Giuliani, and we know how that worked out.
i invite anyone to explain how Mitt Romney – the “father of socialized medicine” – could ever possibly win the nomination, given how Obamacare is almost certainly going to be a central theme in the GOP race.
Who on this list will have the mojo to stop Sarah?
The ususal suspects will start pushing the meme that Romney care was completely different from Obamacare and was not socialized medicine. Since most of the GOP base only cares about tribal loyalty, this will become widely accepted as true on the right.
Romney has a lot of work to do to get my support. I’ll take Pawlenty or Daniels over any on the list.
“Former Alaska governor?”
That doesn’t sound quite right. Palin shouldn’t have the same title as candidates like Romney who completed their terms.
How about “Alaska Deserter?”
OT: Murkowski up by 11 in latest poll.
“Since most of the GOP base only cares about tribal loyalty, this will become widely accepted as true on the right.”
This could be true if Romney were to somehow magically skip over the primary season and find himself in a contest vs. Obama. But for the next year and a half, Romney will be competing against other Republicans. And goes in as front-runner. They will all be gunning for him, and they will all be trying to take him out. They – his Republican competitors will be the ones painting him as the socialist – they will be the ones making the case that RomneyCare is effectively the same thing as Obamacare.
How long did Obama serve as a U.S. Senator, denying he would run for the Presidency, before he started campaigning full time. Who filled his seat while he was lying about what he intended to do as President? Palin had a reason to step down. People with a brain can understand that reason. Democrats who fear her like they fear the second comming of Christ, cannot.
“Democrats who fear her like they fear the second comming [sic] of Christ…”
Such a dishonest meme …far from “fearing” her, Democrats and liberals ridicule her and look at her as a figure to be mocked…in much the same way that Republicans and conservatives looked at Michael Dukakis…
How long did Obama serve as a U.S. Senator
Four years.
denying he would run for the Presidency
Zero years. He didn’t deny he would run for President.
Who filled his seat while he was lying about what he intended to do as President?
What?
Palin had a reason to step down. People with a brain can understand that reason.
Yeah, she’s a crybaby quitter who decided becoming a celebrity was much more fun than governance.
Democrats who fear her like they fear the second comming of Christ, cannot.
Why would anyone fear that snowbilly grifter?
Ponce, Mantis, and IP. You have to be kidding to suggest disliking Palin should have some bearing on her quitting? Are you nuts? What badge of courage could one gain from “valiantly” staying in office? That is a pretty weak argument for not liking her or concluding anything about her capabilities. I guess to be a sleazy politician one must serve their whole term. Try another argument.
So people are say Palin quit because she couldn’t handle the law suits against her regarding abuse of power. The only time people step down from an office is usually because they are about to be indicted…and are generally guilty…. OR they have plans to make money! She is an opportunist with zero interest in what is good for her constituents. It’s all about Sarah.
You have to be kidding to suggest disliking Palin should have some bearing on her quitting?
I never suggested, well, whatever the hell it is you’re saying.
What badge of courage could one gain from “valiantly” staying in office?
Why would she run for governor if she didn’t want the job? It’s not about courage, it’s about commitment to the people you serve.
That is a pretty weak argument for not liking her or concluding anything about her capabilities.
Her capabilities are quite clear from her entire resume and public appearances.
I guess to be a sleazy politician one must serve their whole term.
Umm, ok?
Try another argument.
Since you don’t seem able to correctly identify an argument, I’ll just let that one go.
“Try another argument.”
Since what I wrote had nothing to do with the argument you mentioned, perhaps you should try another complaint…my point still stands though…what some people are calling “fear” is actually amusement…