(CNN) - Sarah Palin's book tour brings her to Iowa in two weeks. If the former Alaska governor and last year's GOP vice presidential nominee decides to return to Iowa down to road to explore a race for the White House, a new survey suggests that Republicans in the state like her - but have some doubts.
According to a Des Moines Register Iowa poll, 68 percent of Hawkeye Republicans view Palin favorably. That's a statistically insignificant 2 points behind those who have a positive view of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won the 2008 Iowa caucuses, which traditionally kick off the presidential primary season.
Among other potential 2012 candidates: The survey indicates that two out of three view former House Speaker Newt Gingrich favorably and 58 percent have a positive view of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
"With those kinds of numbers, if she were to become a candidate, while it's not a sure thing, she would be starting out in a very good position," veteran Iowa GOP strategist David Roederer told the Des Moines Register. Roederer ran McCain's 2008 Iowa campaign.
But according to the poll, nearly one in four Iowa Republicans view Palin unfavorably. That's double the 12 percent who view Huckabee in an unfavorable way.
Among all Iowans, the survey indicates that 55 percent hold an unfavorable opinion, with 37 percent seeing her in a positive light.
Palin's tour for her new book, "Going Rogue: An American Life," brings her to Iowa on December 6. Palin's scheduled to sign copies of her book at a Barnes and Noble bookstore in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Des Moines Register Iowa poll was conducted November 8-11, with 800 registered voters in Iowa questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for the overall sample.
–CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
From CNN Politics
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The only issue here is by how big a margin Obama will win in 2012. If Palin is the Republican nominee, figure 20% or more. If it is Pawlenty or Romney, figure 10% to 12%.
Either way, the Republicans are not going to win any more Presidential elections until they find a candidate whose appeal is not confined to grumpy old white guys. and trailer trash.
I would love to see Palin as the Republican choice to run for President. It would prove once and for all that the Republicans are out of touch with their own country.....I mean almost like they are on a different planet.
You have to love the Republicans in the Hawkeye state, kind of like an episode of "Mad Man," returning the country back to the 1950s or 1960s ....
We see what the media can do for a complete nitwit that can get people to write books for her, is nice looking and starts conterversary.
If it wasn't for the media this dim wit would still be sitting on her porch looking at Russia. YOU BETCA.
People can relate to Sarah Palin, she speaks from the heart. I wish her well in her tour and hope to see her in future politics.
The only politican I view favorably is Ron Paul... he writes books AND does politics. Palin is only smart enough to do one at a time – and her efforts do not amount to half of what Paul accomplishes!! Paul 2012!
I think it is utterly and entirely disgusting that Sarah Palin is using this nation to advance her own personal agenda. I dont think I have ever seen someone with so little potential or redeeming value blatantly grab America by the throat and insist upon us to admire her and participate in this freakshow she is unleashing on America.
She is a self serving theocracy and the humor and entertainment in it, in her, has long passed.
If there was ever a signal doubt or question about the rational and clear headed thinking of John McCain, Palin is a living breathing example that he was and is completely out of his mind and was unfit to be a Commander in Chief. And all the distancing and rebuttals of her now will never undo the fact that he is responsible for Sarah Palin.
I'll be so glad when she goes away!!!!!!!!!!!
Consider the twit that the Dem's put into the White House, Sara Palin certainly can't do any worst, at least she shows some real backbone which is something that is sorely missing in obama.
Give me a break ! We have three more years before we vote on a new president. Because a few Iowa farmers like what she says she is on top of the heap ! We have alot more issues to deal with in these next few years than this womans "Book" tour !
They say you can fool some of the people all of the time, and a good deal of those people must live in Iowa. I'm personally hoping the republican'ts are dumb enough to nominate her in '12. It'll make for a sure Democratic landslide.
Puh-lease! I cannot fathom this women even being thought of as a contender for the primaries let alone the leader of our country....what is wrong with you people?
Nothing thrills me more than to know the top Republicans for 2012 are Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.
Obama landslide number 2.
Wow...... I don't understand what people see in her. All she does is repeat the same set of lines over and over and over again. Let her run, it will make obama's win in 2012 that much easier.
Great news for Dems. This is the brightest and most intelligent GOP Star
Sarah Palin #1 on CNN
Well if you believe the various polls that show that Palin is viewed as unqualified to hold national office by an overwhelming majority of swing voters ( who decide all national elections) then her staying in the media limelight has to be an answer to the Dems prayers.
The most recent Gallup survey showed that 78% of voters who declared themselves as independents said they thought Sarah Palin was " strongly unqualified" to hold national office of any kind and 92% said she was "strongly unqualified" to be the President.
I'm sure the Dems will do all possible to help her stay in the limelight and hope that by some miracle she again ends up on the Republican's 2012 ticket!!!
Wow. Talk about a bad joke gone wrong... With little experience and having quit her one high level position 2 years in, what could possible convince anyone this person is capable of running the country?
Can someone reply with a reason to vote for Palin?
Sarah Palin is a powerhouse of correct ideas. Americans are getting tired of the petty personal attacks on her from the far left and seeing that her ideas make more and more sense as this administration and congress fumble through the problems with their 'ideology' and what it is doing to our country. In spite of getting every gift on their wish list, the administration and congress are not seeing good results from any of their huge programs. The problems are getting worse as fast as they can get these partisan bills passed.
RNC...you've GOT to be kidding me. If the leadership of the RNC starts "pushing" Palin as THE candidate for 2012 – boy, are they in trouble. I'll be formally switching to an independent status if this happens. There HAS to be someone in the Republican party who can "talk the issues" better than Mrs. Palin. Heaven forbid....... You rep folks in Iowa need to sit up and pay attention to what Mrs. Palin is not saying......
Come Iowa, your smarter than that. This woman is a moron.
There must be alot of idiots in Iowa.
I'd like to see a poll that asks the 68 percent who view her favorably get thier "news" from ClusterFox news and right-wing radio exclusively. How much you wanna bet that is 100%. Go figure. Personally i hope to God she is the nominee. It will insure another 4 years of a dem in the White House. But will she be the GOP nominee or the Queen of the Teabaggers? Either way, get the popcorn ready. Silly Sarah and the Wasilla Hillbilly show has begun her sequel. Thanks again, doofus McIdiot for creating this thang!
but no shoe would fill it, that is one big mouth