Washington (CNN) - Despite his performances in the two most recent Republican presidential debates, a new national survey indicates that Texas Gov. Rick Perry remains on top of the field in the race for the GOP nomination.
But a CNN/ORC International Poll also indicates that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney does better than Perry in hypothetical 2012 general election matchups against President Barack Obama and matches evenly with the president on the issues and on personal characteristics.
According to the survey, which was released Monday, 28 percent of Republicans and independents who lean towards the GOP say they support Perry as their party's presidential nominee, with Romney at 21 percent. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is at ten percent, with Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who's making his third bid for the White House, former Godfather's Pizza CEO and radio talk show host Herman Cain, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, all at seven percent. The poll indicates that Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is at four percent, with former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania at three percent and former Utah Gov. and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman at one percent.
Palin has flirted with a bid for the GOP nomination, but the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee has not taken any concrete steps towards launching a campaign. Taking Palin out of the mix produces a similar result: 30 percent for Perry, 22 percent for Romney, 11 percent for Gingrich, and all other candidates in single digits.
The poll was conducted Friday through Sunday, after last Thursday's debate in Orlando, Florida. Pundits and analysts rate Perry's performance in that debate, and in a debate one a week and a half earlier in Tampa, Florida, as uneven. Perry's distant second showing at a much-watched straw poll of Florida GOP activists this past weekend may be a reflection of his debate performances, and his stance on illegal immigration and border security, which were spotlighted in both debates.
"Did Perry's performance in the most recent debate affect the horse race? Maybe yes, but maybe no," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Perry's support is down just two points, and Romney is up only one to three points - and since all those numbers are well within the sampling error, it doesn't look like much has changed, possibly because average voters aren't as plugged into the debates as political junkies are. If the debates have had an effect, it may be mostly in favor of Gingrich, whose support went from 5 percent in mid-September to 10 percent now."
According to the poll, the president's overall approval rating, at 45 percent, is essentially unchanged since July. Fifty-two percent of all Americans disapprove of his job performance to date.
The 2012 election will not be an up-or-down vote on Obama, but rather a choice between the president and another candidate, so head-to-head match-ups against the top GOP candidates are a better test of Obama's electoral strength.
The survey indicates that Romney fares best against Obama. It's basically all tied up with 49 percent for Obama and 48 percent for Romney in a hypothetical two-way match-up. According to the poll, Obama holds a five point margin over Perry, 51 percent to 46 percent.
In a hypothetical matchup between Paul and Obama, the president holds a four point margin, 51 percent to 47 percent. Obama handily beats Bachmann and Palin in two-way match-ups. But keep in mind, as always, that polls taken more than a year before the election have little or no predictive value.
Obama's ace-in-the-hole remains the fact that he is personally more popular than his policies. According to the poll, his favorable rating, which measures reactions to him personally, is eight points higher than his job approval rating. Fifty-two percent of all Americans disagree with him on issues, but 58 percent believe he has the personality and leadership qualities a president should have. And by a 49 to 43 percent margin, Americans say that personal qualities are more important than issues to their vote for president.
Only Romney matches up well with Obama on both of those measures. Six in ten Americans say Romney has the personal qualities a president should have, compared to only 45 percent who feel that way about Perry.
Forty-six percent of Americans agree with Romney on issues. "That doesn't sound like much, but it's far better than the 39 percent who say they agree with Perry. That 46 percent is also ten points higher than the number who agreed with Romney in his first run for the White House in 2008," adds Holland.
The CNN poll was conducted by ORC International from September 23-25, with 1,010 adult Americans, including 447 Republicans and independents who lean towards the GOP questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.
– CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
ALSO SEE:
Cain upsets Perry as winner of Florida straw poll
Romney uses Michigan speech to challenge Obama
Perry casts Romney as 'slick' at Florida GOP breakfast
Santorum: 'I condemn' booing of gay soldier, didn't hear it
From CNN Politics
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Romney/Rubio 2012 – The cure for four years of Obama FAILURE.
There is no way either of these clowns can beat Obama. If Mullah Perry and Flip Flop Mittens Romney are the best Republicans have, it's gonna be another Obama landside. He's the rational, moderate, informed adult in the race and he's got my vote!
Perry is dense as a door knob. We all knew that what he has said in the past, much less what he has said recently OR his poor track record, would have put a roadblock in front of a national election for him. No news here.
Mitt is dull, boring, status quo, offers nothing different than the Bush policies that crashed our economy to begin with, has no track record himself in the public or private sectors. He won't appeal to the far right OR Independents. But he's a white male....which is good enough for too many Republicans, given the alternative. Our country deserves the decline it worked so hard for.
WOW! If either of these two career politicians got in as the Republican candidate I would choose to just write in Ron Paul. I am not happy with Obama, and I think both of those two choice republicans are muff cabbage! We need a true Republican if we are to try and get Obama out. Clearly these two front runners only want to win and do not actually care about changing anything, America is doomed unless stop voting for career politicians that only want to keep things the way they are.
I'd like to see Perry remain at #1, get the nomination, and then try to outsmart President Obama in the debates. His incoherent performance in the debate last week will be even worse when confronting the intelligent, educated person who currently has the job that he wants.
At the debates, look for the wire running into Perry's ear just like George W. Bush. Republicans can't reason on their own, so they need to have their answers handed to them. Perry is a fool, but I like a fool to go up against President Obama because that makes his re-election iron clad. Don't be fooled by Mitt Romney. He hasn't been vetted on a national level as the Republican contender, and I don't think he would fare any better. He has a lot of explaining to do about his Corporate Raider and outsourcing jobs to other countries–let along his own miserable leadership record in Massachusetts.
"by a 49 to 43 percent margin, Americans say that personal qualities are more important than issues to their vote for president. "
How does that compare with similar polls in previous elections? Have polls always shown that "personal qualities are more important than issues' in people's vote for president? Or is this something new? These seems to contradict the whole "it's the economy, stupid" argument.
ooohhhh hell if these people elect a repug with a repug congress. i wonder what them old folks would do when they are handed coupon to go out their and beg these private companies to insure them. oohh i forgot the corporate run media will not bring their heartaches to light. since their will be no more obamacare. i wonder what policies these money hungry shareholder will direct their CEOs, how to diliver health care. and since the employers would have to pay for folks healthcare, because the repugs will kill the mandate of employees paying for their own health care. i wonder how many people will be layed off or how many investments would be made to open up new businesses since the healthcare would cause so much to employers. i wonder deregulating every thing and dig for oil in our own backyard, when the world economy is slowly whinning themselves off oil, and moving to clean energy. i wonder how many jobs that will create, or
will the the jobs creations outweigh a lifetime of polution of water, air, and cancer. i hope the new healthcare the repugs put in after they kill the obamacare will insure patience with biological and chemical poisoning.
Polls at this time is not predictive of future success. We are becoming used to these GOP/T candidates and they all are lacking as a viable strong candidate against President Obama because their own party don't want them as a candidate and is wishing for another person to run.
"by a 49 to 43 percent margin, Americans say that personal qualities are more important than issues to their vote for president. "
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Except when the nice guy has FOUR YEARS OF FAILURE in the job. Except when the nice guy is TOTALLY CLUELESS about how our economy works. Ex cept when the nice guy is totally incompetent and displayed ZERO LEADERSHIP ABILITY.
Maybe it will be Romney and Perry vs obama – biden
In the end , who will be on top ?
Perry / Romney or Romney / Perry
Log Cabin Republicans for Perry
Obama is still the best choice. Nobody matches up his personal qualities for president.
Ron Paul will be on top. Please google his predictions ten years ago. I voed for McCain and liked Obama but I have seen the light. Please check him out!!
How many free passes will Republicans give to Gov. Rick Perry? I mean like the guy has blown up in 3 three straight debates. He should be called out on strikes.
Perry will beat obama next year. perry 50% obam 47%
Check the link to the survey results. It pulls up a poll from 2010
George Bush = Failed trickle down economic policies
Romney = Failed trickle down economic policies
Perry = Failed trickle down economic policies
Not anywhere near good enough, GOTP.
You may as well re-elect Obama if you are going to vote for Romney, or Perry. They both want Carbon taxes, they both support gov. healthcare despite what either one says, they will continue if not expand the 5 wars we are currently involved in.
So dont worry Democrats, at the top both parties are the same. Neither Perry nor Romney will stop gov. healthcare, they will expand it. So get ready for more of the same, an guess what unemployrment will also get worse with either of these 3, because thats part of the globalist plan. There is no difference except for Ron Paul.
Lame. Gary Johnson excluded from the poll. Hard to meet the polling requirements to get in a debate when you're not even an option in the poll.
Ron Paul is the only real Candidate. All the rest ( especially Perry & Romney ) will continue where Obama left off. Look at this guys voting record. He stand by his guns and doesn't flip-flip . I don't want Coke or Pepsi anymore....I want Dr. "Paul" Pepper !
let these two idiots "duke it out" !!! romney will be exposed for the inveterate "flip-flopper" that he is and people will see how "dumb as dirt" perry is !!! and if a "3 AM phone call" should come for either one, romney would likely say "should I answer it ???" and perry would likely say "is it for me ???" !!! neither is presidential material !!!
The glaring difference in teanut-gop candidates is that Mitt Romney does not pray for the US economy to fail; also, he does not attack President Obama in a personal way.
..But the rest? Perry is another Dubya, Bachmann is ridiculously stupid, Palin snipes on her twitter "I quit, but I'm not a quitter", Paul is hopelessly misunderstood by even the teanut-gop, Huntsman is MIA, and Cain doesn't know who he is.
..
....DO YOU WANT ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS OF LIES, BLUNDERS, and a US ECONOMY THAT the teanut-gop SENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN?
..
...Let us support our president as he makes these monumental repairs inflicted upon us by the teanut-gop!!
..FIVE MORE YEARS, FIVE MORE YEARS, FIVE MORE YEARS!!
The results of this poll are just more proof that all polls are unreliable. They vary by poll, state, wording of the questions, who asks the questions, who gets asked the questions, what time of day they get called, where they live, etc. etc. etc. Also, who is doing the poll is very relevant. Rasmussen and McClatchey polls are biased toward Republicans but some others may favour Pres. Obama. The results of the straw polls are especially a poor indicator because only a few hundred people vote and obviously that is not indicative of a whole state. Bachmann won a huge straw poll but is out of the running now and for days she got 24/7 coverage because of that poll. Really now, how reliable was it? Polls are fun for the pundits and journalists but anyone who really thinks they represent 300 million people are out to lunch. The only winners in any of these polls are the people who get paid to do them.
Romney – the Fiscal Conservative and Rubio- the Social Conservative.............that's the Ticket !
Go Mitt ! Go Rubio !
Yes, personal qualities are important to some degree, but 49 percent of Americans would base their vote on that, as opposed to the issues? This is not American Idol – this is our future we are talking about.
We need leadership not another rich boy contest. It seems who has the most money now days wins this is AMERICA we can not be bought anymore.
Perry is an idiot, if you do not know, it is your karma....that's it....
Obama's saving grace may be that half the country is politically retarded. Unemployment is 9%, the debt is 15 trillion, Obamacare is a disaster, but I'll vote for Obama because of personal qualities–he's a good father and likes basketball! ROTFL!
Obama the worse choice ever.Where is YES WE CAN, WHERE is CHANGE, JOBS, GITMO. Just bla-bla-blqa.
CNN, why did you not ask about Gary Johnson in your poll? On what basis is it fair to keep polling Huntsman and not Johnson? Especially given that most people said he got in the most notable line in the debate, even if it was a joke. I would have liked to have seen if he got a bounce out of it, but you didn't even ask! I think this is a very poor show on your part.
These polls, although labeled scientific due to their methodology, are biased and a poor indicator due to small sample sizes. To buy into them is to be misled.
No, Obama would win in a landslide.
We want Christie, not either one of those morons.
There are still Log Cabin Republicans? – You guys are in so much denial!
Perry – Just another phoney with Reagan's hair and Bush's smirk. Where's the substance? Huntsman 2012
Mitt Romney is the best choice for the USA, Perry has totally lost his perspective on Illegal Immigration and been brainwashed by La Raza.
Obama's days are numbered. 2012 can't get here soon enough!
Romney might be the strongest candidate against Obama but will the Holly Roller RIght vote for a Mormon?
Of course Romney polls better to beat Obama, Perry is new to the game and Romney has made a career out of running for President. The only person that has run longer then Romney is Donald Trump who has said for the past twenty years he is thinking of running. Romney is not employable in the private sector so he might as well get beat again for the highest job in the land, nothing else for him to do, no more companies to dismantle and he has already sent all the jobs out of the country.
Yep, a Mormon and a Cuban just what the country needs at this time.
Perry cannot even beat Cain in Florida !!
Obama will mop the floor with him.
Obama/Biden 2012 + NO TEA = America can move forward.
A Perry win will make Gerorge W. Bush seem like the best President ever!! Want that?
Well as we head into October, I wnder who will be flavor of the month. Let us see who CNN picks
It doesn't matter. Automation is killing off jobs left and right. It use to be that a man who owned a company had to hire 100 people to get the job done. Now he hires just 10 and keeps all the profits. That is what is fundamentally wrong with capitalism in a technology based society.
Does not matter who is President! It's Congress that will make any President rendered "useless!"
real question is will Obama continue to beat himself. he's got the advantage in the media, but he also has all those Obama sanctions against the economy.
Has anyone from the teabagging or media crowd asked these loser for their birth certificates. I would like for everyone of them to show where they were born and make sure there's at least one witness to the birth and that they swear on that used up bible of theirs that this is truth so help me "their god".
He is nowhere near any position right now but let's start with rubio and proceed to the mitt whose father was born in Mexico after his grandfather moved there so he could marry all the women he wanted and spawn like a rabbit.
My dead grandmother could beat Obama if we could only get her on the ballot. At this point, not having a president is better than the one we have.
Sampling error of +/- 3% means that Romney, Paul, Perry, Cain could beat Obama. As more people are exposed to Cain and Paul, watch for their support to continue to rise as Obama's continues to fall.
Ron Paul is the people's candidate. The grassroots support him and the numbers only grow.
All the other campaigns are necrotic, propped up by the establishment through the media.
Ron Paul 2012
The GOP will win it for Obama. Their hate mongering is too obvious!
After what the country been thru ,obama is still unbeatable ? This is an insult to the American voters !!
Teabaggers! Ready to march around with your "Tea Party for Romney" signs?
The Republicans, angry with a liberal president shoving healthcare and global warming drivel down their throats, are pushing for Mitt Romney to be president? Perhaps due to the (R) next to his name, they forgot that he led the drive for socializing medicine in the state he governed and is a proponent of global warming. In essense, a liberal. Their other option, Perry, is an admittedly "less compassionate" version of George Bush, who left office with approval ratings in the 20s. Nice work, GOP.
More like Obama 54% – Perry 45%. Perry's strategy of inciting the Tea Party mob is never going to fly with an independent general electorate. Perry being nominated would be the best thing to happen to the country; it's the only surefire way to ensure Obama wins and the Tea Party gets kicked out of the House. Then maybe we can at least stop defaulting and nearly shutting down over every last Tea Party hostage issue.
In the last debate when Perry tried to explain Romneys' flip flops and stumbled badly I almost felt sorry for him. I said almost. Incredible that after that some people still see Perry as President. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!
After almost 4 years of high unemployment, sick economy,high gas prices,high poverty, high home foreclosure,etc obama is unbeatable ? This is an insult to the intellegence of the American people !!
The only candidate who will offer change and turn America back onto a road to prosperity and liberty is Dr. Ron Paul. Obama, Perry, Romney, all are one in the same. Its high time Americans got it that all this partisan bickering is doing nothing but playing right into the politicians' hands.
if anything will ensure democratic success, it is perry as the republican candidate. please dear god, let perry be the candidate!!!! i am praying for his success in the rep. primaries! : )
Romney/Rubio in 2012?
Seriously (LMAO) ?!?!?!?!?
You poor Perry Fools....dream ON....he's a fraud seeking applause. And now he's bringing it to the masses......
Perry may lack intelligence, intuition, ability, and integrity, however, he does have excellent hair, and he does pray publicly. Sounds like Bushy the Sequel. Maybe then we will finally get a chance to invade Pakistan, Chile, and New Zealand. All Conservatives know that those New Zealanders hate the American way, and they hate baseball.
Snap Out of it.....Short Term Memory Americans.....Perry = "W" = More Misery.
Cnn is Palin in the race, she can fool you white people.But black are not as stupid you one claims.
So forget palin like most blacks have already done so.Perry can not even look at people when he is taking, you know why; HE CAN'T BE TRUSTED.I saw this from the day he stepped on stage. Freakin Crook. I also want to add you looks like a waxed firgure, not a human being.
The Perry debate with Obama should be hillarious. After Obama lays out economic and socio-political plans for the planet, Perry will explain how tax cuts cure cancer and promote good health in kittens. I never thought the GOP could find someone more hollow than Palin, but this just goes to show how one should never underestimate the GOP's ability for stupidity in the name of righteousness.
If you don't like what you see in the latest poll, there will always be another one. Do you wanna see some significant changes in the present GOP field?.............Lie to your next poll taker. They'll be falling over themselves to be that person.
Did someone here mention Marc Rubio. He's a kid that comes form a certain Republican district, Cuban-Americans from Miami, who really have no clue what a true conservative republican is. They are republican only because they believe a democrat, (Kennedy), messed up the attempt on Castro's life. I lived in Miami for many years and can tell you that not one of them, if Castro was overthrown, would go back there. They are one issue voters and for Marc Rubio to really understand the republican party of Eisenhower, Rockefeller, Weld, Buckley is useless. This group has no clue about American conservatism, just a carribean slant on dictatorship government
I'm calling it right now, Chris Christie will enter the race in two weeks, win the nomination, take Rubio as his running mate, and win the 2012 election. I'll put $50 on this. Any takers?
John please check your underpants because you were Day-Dreaming - go get a shower and some body- wash and don't forget to brush your teeth.
Who in the world wants Obama as president? What in the world has he done that is positive? Other than pretend to kill Bin Laden?
No, he can't. Because a majority of independents will not vote for him.
The media favors Democrats, and Romney is a Dem wearing a GOP label, so the media is promoting Romney, in spite of the fact he really is not, the front runner.
Yes. 100 percent..Obama cannot win in 2012..FAILED completely..
Whoa... check out pages 9-10 of the poll the results of Obama vs each candidate... says a different story.
Poor Mittens, you gotta feel for the guy. Here he's waited patiently for his turn at the big seat, while his fickle party continues to look for the bigger better deal. Poor Mitt maybe you should consider a flip flop on religion and become a southern Baptist then go back to being a Mormon. While Republicans are loathed to say it, they just don't trust your Big Love, Sister Wives religion. Since your party loathes education even more the masses will not educate themselves on the various sects. Oh I'm sure they will push other reasons not to fully support your candidacy if you make it too the end. Make no mistake the real reason will be your're not a white Southern Christian in Cowboy boots.
All of these GOP candidates are badly flawed. Considering the terrible state of the economy and the constant bashing of Obama by the tea-party extremists, he continues to hold his own. He will be reelected because the GOP has no ideas and no decent candidates.
The Republicans won't win at al no matter who they put up therel. This election will solely be about the have's vs. the have not's. The Republcians stand for the rich and their Bush tax cuts and the Democrats stand for the working class.
Sure he can. If Obama with nearly zero practical experience can win, and people can think $arah is good, ANYONE could win. His biggest strength is that he holds his ground. If he keeps doing that, he has a good shot.
The reason CNN wants Perry to run is the same reason Perry hesitated about getting in the race in the first place. He has a lot of skeletons. The reason they don't give Herman Cain hardly any attention, White Republicans along with hard working African Americans would vote for him. He is more qualified now than Obama was when he ran, he has manage to run not being a lawyer or/and a back stabbing career politician . Plus CNN doesn't have dirt on him.
Most of you have never met a person more conservative than I am, and I won't vote for Perry since he gave in-state tuition to students who aren't even citizens.
Currently the GOP doesn't have anyone in their stable that can beat Obama. (I'd vote for Giuliani if he was up there)
Obama in 2012! By far the best choice we have.
This (CNN) poll makes the republican choice clear: Nominate Romney simply because he can win. With the economy and jobs the real issue, Obama cannot win vs Romney. Not even the Obama-worshipping national media can overcome the fact that by November 2012 Obama will have flatly failed to do what he promised the American people he would do, if only we would elect him.
If Rick Perry wins I am moving out of this country and watching it burn from afar. He will destroy this country because he has absolutely ZERO idea what he's doing.
It seems a great many of my fellow Republicans are determined to stay on a kamikaze mission. It is unbelievable that they think nominating a less articulate version of George W. Bush is a strategy for success. Romney proposes a conservative agenda, is smart, can think on his feet, has business and executive experience, and is an excellent debator. But no, no matter how abysmal the man speaks, no matter how much he insults the base implying them to be racist, and outright calling them heartless....we just gotta support Governor Goodhair.....come hell or high water.
Only Ron Paul can save us now from Obuma and the rest of the Republican re-treads. Paul/Cain is my vote.
Mickey Mouse would be a better choice than Barry H. O. at this point. Fact.
Perry, if he is the gop/tp choice, will have a tough time in a general election given his far-right leanings that will not just go away. He's been too vocal about them and that will scare intelligent independents.
His employment "success" will also be put to the test as his state's budget begins dealing with no federal stimulus to help balance it out and he sees large government job losses. I believe the estimate is about 110,000 jobs will be on the chopping block. How will that look for mr perry?
Can the nation tolerate another Texan in the White house?
uh.....maybe not
Of course Perry is tops in the GOP. He's the Republican presidential paradigm since Bush sr: an invisible president, whose policy is determined and implemented by other power brokers in his administration. Perry himself is actually as irrelevant as Bush sr and jr. Perry's vice president and the vice president's staff are the ones to watch if you want to see how the GOP is actually going to run things with Perry as president. Hey, look on the bright side. In Obama's administration, no one is setting and implementing policy. Someone who actually does something might be better than nothing.
Obama will be re-elected. A majority of Americans may disapprove of his performance, but that doesn't mean they want to fire him. Most Americans are quite aware of the mess Bush/Cheney left us with and that it may take a while to undo the damage. Giving the power back to the GOP would simply be suicidal.
Vote Republican. Let those that caused the mess clean it up!!!!!!!!!!!
Vote None of the Above.
Interesting game politics.
The only winning move...is not to play the game.
You poll a mere 1010 random people internationally, and we're supposed to believe the results mean something..... Shame on you CNN for attempting to pass a completely meaningless sample of opinions as news! What a joke!
Perry leading the Republican primary in the polls is further proof that the closed primaries serve only to produce the two worst candidates.
Why can't the GOP produce any candidates I can get behind! I wouldn't vote for any of these guys! (or gals). And I will NEVER vote for Obama, so I guess it's Mickey Mouse next year. Sad part is, can't stand Obama, terrible president, but I would "trust" him more than I would any of those whacky candidates the GOP is offering up. Time to move.
It pleases me to see Bachmann crashing and burning. She is nothing short of an embarrassment.
Perry doesn't stand a chance against Obama.
Please show me a poll thats not biased and spun, Perry is no top contender... he's the Jewish Media Mafia's top contender..
I don't think obama would allow a 30 y/o man without medical insurance to die.. Some Gop supports have become animals in the jungle..
I'm voting for Ron Paul. But if Perry makes it, I'll vote Obama over him. I don't really see a difference in the tow, other than race, and to me, that doesn't matter.
Really he is number 1? You want him to be number 1. Ron paul!
You people arguing about perry, romney, obama, etc. are simply ridiculous. Like arguing about PEPSI vs COCA-COLA ... but at least then you'd be acknowledging the corporate sludge dribbling down your throats.
Yes four more years of Obama, after Bushs eight miserable years putting this Country in to the mire its in now. You cant expect Obama to clear up his mess in just four years.
Larry, what I see in Ron Paul, so far, is an inability to lead. People are frequently misunderstanding what he's trying to say. As Henry Ford said "the customer is always right." In this case, the customer is the consumer market. (It doesn't mean just one customer.) The same can be said for the voters. Their failure to understand isn't going to somehow sway them to vote for Mr. Paul. Mr. Paul has to find a way to get the voters to understand. Unless he does, he can't win. I think he should take leadership classes (yesterday).
Romney is simply not in touch with the new extreme republican base. Perry knows how to control the tea party which is why he is a the top of the polls. The other candidates don't get it, they need to realize they can't get any higher in the primary polls by ripping the president. I'm not sure why so many people have latched onto Romney anyway, Huntsman is a much better choice for moderates and hasn't made as many mistakes as Romney.
I hope the GOTP doesn't realized that the craziest candidate won't get elected
When I read how these Republicans voted in their staw poll it helps me understand why this country is so screw up.
Sort of look like twins don't they?
Ron Paul would crush Obama. You want Real Change and for your vote to go to someone with actual value? Vote Ron Paul!
What CNN poll. How can they call it a CNN poll if it's conducted by a third party? I actually haven't seen one poll that Ron Paul didn't win. Why is CNN and FOX and MSNBC and everybody shoving Perry and Romney down our throats?
Ron Paul is the only one that can bring America back to what it should be. Open your eyes people.
The sad part of all of this is that the 2 candidates that actually can beat Obama aren't getting any press time. Jon Huntsman and Ron Paul are by far and away the best candidates in the field. Yet, since they aren't "conservative" enough, they won't get the nomination and America won't actually get to choose.
I voted for Obama last time. I'm not entirely happy with him. Yet if it were Obama vs Romney/Perry, I'd have no reservations voting for Obama again.
This guy Perry is so dumb he can't figure out if he should use toilet paper or his hand!
the republicans just can't get it toghter mitt Romney may do better against Obama while Perry beats him and the Cain beats Perry in Florida and the Sarah palins approval ratings are rising they just can't get it toghter personally noone in the GOP is worth my time and I will be voting for Obama HANDS DOWN
Perry is so dumb he makes a bag of hammers look smart
If you want a minimum wage job, no health insurance, and no retirement plan... Perry is your man or you can move to Texas!!
The masses will pull it out for Obama!!! The only thing you hear these days is the desperate squawking from the extreme right wing!!! When it comes time for the rubber to meet the road, the vast majority of the electorate will show up in support for Obama!
As a FORMER Perry supporter, I can say without a doubt, that he CANNOT beat Obama because he sounds like an idiot when he speaks / debates. Romney has a much better chance, and any people still backing Perry had better get a copy of the last few debates and give them a good listen.
We need a Palin ticket!!!!
He doesn't need to worry about beating Obama-–around January there may be a new candidate showing up–Clinton-and I Don't mean Hillary!!--Don't be surprised if the Dems bring out their biggest gun of all–the now elder statesman–BILL CLINTON-he would be unbeatableand the allure of being a 3 term Pres may be too much to pass up for his ego. I say 3 term because he would announce he is in for 1 term only to fix the system–a savior so to speak. Lately he has been advising Obama and that makes him look strong(The Teacher) and Obama look weak (the student)--and right now we don't need Grasshopper.
Obama the intellect vs. Perry the dunce, NO CHANCE!!!
What, me worry? With Perry around people will think I'm a genius.
If you want a minimum wage job, no labor rights, no retirment plan, and a bad education for your children...Perry is your man, or you can move to Texas!
How about someone who we can believe in!
Herman Cane
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HOW is he on top!? Everyone strongly dislikes him, I just don't get it.... I feel like we're being TOLD who we should like, and we shouldn't.
What choices! The clown vs the socialist.
Really, America? Rick Perry? Really!? You already tried that. For 8 years! Remember Bush? The guy who ruined your country? Or did they actually convince you that all this is Obama's fault? Idiots.
Democrats logic: "Obama won't stand up to the republicans/ Isn't progressive enough. So I'll probably vote republicans"
Republican logic: "I can't remember anything past yesterday but that Perry seems comfortably familiar for some reason and black people are bad so I'll vote for him. Also, this socialism thing sounds bad. Don't know what it is. But it sounds bad."
Either one can beat Obama. He has squandered his presidency with weath redistribution.
Perry is so dumb he makes dirt look smart
*mumbles*
Ugh! Give me someone I can vote for without throwing up in my mouth! I can't vote for Obama because his policies are so anti-business that it is amazing we even have an economy left. And in the other corner we have doofasses that wouldn't do any better.
There is no way any republican is going to win over Obama, considering the choices. We the people are still not over 8 years of BUSH!
Perry and any Republican can work hard. Obama couldn't handle so well.
If we end up with Perry and a rep congress/senate, we will be doomed.
Can Perry beat Obama? Hell, No he can't!
"But keep in mind, as always, that polls taken more than a year before the election have little or no predictive value.".... Nice. Relevant piece.
Perry was leading when Obama was just learning the Quran.
I'm belived that I said mock out of presdient obama so obama like too much problems with his job for 3 years
Neither actually has a chance at all, so its a moot point.
You idiotas are REALLY gonna nom another TX Gov....REALLY??? ok yeah good luck with that one
The Ron Paul people need to get over themselves. The GOP nominee is not giong to be Ron Paul. He can't break double digits in polls, much less win.
For sure Perry is a stand up guy, something that Obama lacks. He knows that teabaggers do not like his stance on immigration but he is not backing away from it, and on top he tells them that they have no heart (wish he could say to them that they have no brain either). Regardelss of how you feel on this issue, who could stand up like this guy does. He's got some big balls and we got to respect that. Mittens Romeny is biggest flip-flopper/pathological liar.
Rick "my brain is like a chicken pot pie" Perry? I am not surprised he gets the nod of the Republicans. Most Republicans are educated to about the 5th grade and can relate.
I would vote republican next election IF they had a candidate instead of clowns.
Obama/Hillary 2012.
Obama would have to jetison Biden to pump up the ticket to make it more voter worthy. Obama"Biden or Obama/Hillary?
Hillary could pull in alot of voters.
Hmm...should I vote for the middle aged white rich dude, the middle aged white rich woman or keep the current dude that at the time was so "cool" to elect. Politics hurt my brain.
Check out the "Non-White" figures. You can see where the lines are.
Don't believe "national polling." It's a scam, sham and fraud. Big media is counting on YOU to not use your brain.
Republicans better get used to the name "President Obama." You have five years left to go!
It doesn't matter if they can beat Obama. The important thing is can they do anything for the country? Will they do anything besides shoot off their rich, ignornant mouths?
If this is the best the GOP has to offer, they clearly dont want to win or cant win! ... AGAIN! I will hold a prayer session for Rick Perry since he will need it. And I am sorry for the Ron Paul fans, your in a cult. Lets face it. He isnt viable candidate either cause the guy still cant find the gold in Ft Knox. Someone should tell Mr Paul that we are not on the Gold Standard anymonre. As of now, the GOP is still taking job applications for SERIOUS CANDIDATES.
Romney is a loser. This Mormon moron flip-flops on EVERY issue he's ever been presented with. He inherited money from his rich father, has two mansions, and is expanding one mansion. He got several deferments during the Vietnam war so that he could do church work in the oh so working conditions of....wait for it....Cannes, France. He does have perfect hair, though.
And oh yeah, he's the genius who strapped the family dog to the top of the family car for a 12 hour trip to Canada. Such a smart man. Guess that was his job creation program for veterinarians....to care for abused dogs.
It's baffling to me that Jon Hunstman still cannot gain any traction. He is clearly the smartest and most sophisticated of all the candidates.
Democrats would LOVE the used car salesmen Perry OR Romney to get the nomination, because their waffling, their lack of substance versus "say anything to sell ya'!" approach, will get eaten alive by Obama. If Repubs were smart enough to nominate either Ron Paul or Cain - agree or disagree with either of them, but they have clear perspectives and stand by them - and Obama could be in trouble come 2008.
Romney/Cain That is an invincible ticket!
Would love to know who the press is polling on these. It's bad enough that we watch Perry bomb debates... But if Bachman is making you look like a fool, how can you still be in 1st place? Perhaps if people focused less on Romney and Perry, one of the other candidates who 'can't win' according to the media, might actually have a chance.
Wow, decisions, decisions, decisions. They have quite choice to make. Governor Flip-Flop or Governor Ordained by God.
Make it easier and vote for the pizza guy.
Perry is a joke. His party held him up to be the Messiah, then couldn't believe he did not measure up. They are desperate. Put in your resume' now. If you are white, older, evengelical, and won't pay a nickle to help anyone but yourself, you qualify.
LOL....LOL...LOL
Bachman has won a straw poll
Cain just won Florida straw poll
Ron Paul has won 3 out of the last 5 straw polls
Perry haven't Romney won any straw polls-Buuuuut-They're still the "Top Tier' who the race is between ? ? ?
Pay attention folks...The Establishment 'Republi-Crats' know who they want the race to be between, and they're using the
Liar-Stream-Media to manipulate your opinion....Don't Let Them Do It
I'm voting Ron Paul....And I ask that you vote ANYONE other than The Establishment goons...It's the only way we can get this country where it needs to be
No way will Perry beat Obama. Nobody wants another GW Bush, other than the south and ultra-conservative states in the north like Nebraska.
Everytime I want to feel smarter about myself I log on to this site and read the Democrats'/Obamabots' comments. How very amusing. Still blaming Bush I see. Great strategy, stick with that! Hilarious. Talk about herd-followers who can do nothing but repeat slogans, mantras and talking points! If it were Republican ideology on display I would have thought I logged onto Fox News! Original thought anyone????
Truth is, Obama is done. Its just a matter of which flawed Republican is going to oust him. Because what you socialists keep ignoring is that this election will be JUST LIKE the last: a referendum on the failed policies of the party currently occupying the WH. Your guy and your ideology predictably failed. MAde things worse. Get over it.
CNN, why do you continue ignoring & hiding the information about the Wall Street protesters? Why are you trying to hide the Revolution? Why does BBC have news & video of Americas Revolution, but you don't? And why do you & FOX news continue shoving the political candidates you want down our throats? You people keep talking about Romney & Perry, but what about Ron Paul? The only human being among them all? CNN, I think I'm gonna go ahead & make this more public than you would want. I think that I'm going to sue you. And so will the thousands of other people that stand behind me & more importantly America. CNN, brace yourselves for your demise.
Perry is an ILLEGAL ALIEN lover. He would be a BAD President. But, we NEVER get a good candidate to vote for. We ALWAYS have to vote for the lesser of two evils.
I am SOO anti Obama, that my eyes bleed. BUT, if Perry is the GOP candidate, I will sit out this election and not vote at all. Getting rid of ILLEGAL ALIENS is my number one issue. Above the Economy and all else.
Obama will win in november 2012 because americans will wakeup from their collective amnesia and realise who caused this economic depression.
Let me start by saying that I don't lean republican. Romney and Gingrich are the only two candidates of this field that I could consider–The others are certifiable idiots. I wonder if Romney could win, though. There is a lot of anti-Mormon bias in certain western states that are critical to republican wins (e.g., Colorado, Arizona, Montana). Clearly, Romney won't win Massachusetts (he ignored the Commonwealth while trying to promote himself as a presidential candidate during his single term as governor), but that's no big loss for a republican candidate. If Romeny wins the nomination, it will really come down to Michigan, Ohio, and Florida–We'll see how things go. Its going to be close.
Perry cannot beat Obama ,No way Who he s???? Invade late run for Pres.??? Vote for Mitt Romney can beat Obama for positive!!! Perry is just actior for vote by Christian?? Christian must carefully right guy .. Pray ask God who you should vote right a persoin can save America. Obama still felll down America and weakness history, why he should stay two term? Do not vote Obama!!
hopefully the tone deaf republicans will lose. All they want to do is wage more wars and discuss abortion endlessly. People like Lindsey Graham won't be satisfied until they've invaded at least another 10 countries, wasting trillions and hurting US soldiers in the process. Now we have another pretender to the throne in Perry, droning the same George Bush message of social conservation and strong defense. Please! do something to develop the country.
The GOP needs to find their top, let us say four people to debate. The ones left should then back those. The GOP needs to unite for strength. And they also need to grow up and present ideas to create a better government. We have too many people in the debate with more to enter. Come on people swallow your pride you are going against a common enemy. Also news media we need to hear more from Herman Cain. Is the news media not allowing him to be heard because you do not want to have another "Black" man lead the country. I hate that word black because there should be no discrimination for we are all part of this country. Get your fellow Republicans together with the Democrats to find common ground and get things done. As it is you are known as a "Do nothing Congress" because Obama wants to have the blame game. Remember last fall the Republicans were going get into office so you could rid the country from Obama care.
The rednecks backing the GOP are very vocal but small in numbers. There isn't enough hicks or biblethumpers to beat Mr. Obama, wishful thinking banjo country...
Well Obama is a joke, he is the clown. he ia taking this great nation to the point of no return. The problem with most of the people is that you may be a good debator or a smooth talker like Obama, what good did it do. Its in the actions and results. Personally anyone in the Republican squad now is 100 percent better that the clown in the office now.
I would vote for Donald Trump IN A HEARTBEAT!
I am almost sure those guys cant beat him. Yes, I am almost sure of that. They are not smart enough.
I have a floater that will beat Obama.
Oh, Republicans, DO run Perry for President. DO nominate him.
The only thing you could do better for your country would be to run Michelle Bachmann for Prez.
All this is good for a laugh but what these clowns have done to this country is no laughing matter and the sane and suffering American people ARE NOT going to stand for it! Obama/Biden will win 2012
For sure Obama will get re-elected with these two weirdos.
You wonder if there's some people in Florida who are wondering where their pizza is, after voting for Herman Cain yesterday?
These candidates dont even have the guts to confront a small crowd of people that are disrespecting a soldier that is willing to sacrifice his life for them. How can we expect them to confront local/national/global problems?
Obama had to do it for them.
Too bad no one ever mentions Jon Huntsman. Best candidate in the bunch.
"[Romney] matches evenly with the president on the issues and on personal characteristics"
And that's supposed to be GOOD? Wow, how the spin changes depending on who you're talking about.
If Perry gets the nomination he cannot beat Obama. He's too dumb!
I love watching CNN pundits try to figure out the other side. It really is hilarious.
Just go back to calling them names. It's what you're good at.
Again, definitely NOT a Romney supporter–But someone on this site referred to him as a "career politician". He actually was co-founder of Bain Capital (a hugely successful private equity firm) for a large number of years–That's where he spent the bulk of his adult life. He worked on the Winter Olympics in Utah, then became governor of MA for one term. I don't like his politics, but referring to him as a "career politician" is not accurate.
Perry is a fake and dangerous to America...why are Republicans so quickly fooled?
Obama will crush perry in a landslide...he'll crush romney in a slighly smaller landslide. Now, lets flush the teabaggers and fix this economy!!
We all know Perry is a complete idiot. Where's RON PAUL
Obama will be relected no matter who runs against him.
follow the money..those who throw the money in will control the next occupant of the White House..last time, the teamsters, teachers unions, AFL, all contributed heavily to Obama..should this trend continue,the republican/democrat of choice to receive the money will win..don't forget China has an interest here to, and a big one at that..
I was reading along, partially buying into the analysis until the author wrote this line..."The 2012 election will not be an up-or-down vote on Obama, but rather a choice between the president and another candidate, so head-to-head match-ups against the top GOP candidates are a better test of Obama's electoral strength." Now, I voted for Obama, I even donated! But this IS an" up-or-down vote on Obama' and it's decidedly a THUMBS-DOWN! He stands NO CHANCE against a Romney or any "sane" candidate (that eliminates Perry, Bachmann and if she enters Palin).