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Poll: Mike Huckabee Takes Lead Among Potential GOP Presidential Picks

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While Mike Huckabee has been cagey about whether he'll make another run for the White House, a new poll out Friday finds the former Arkansas governor leading the pack among potential GOP presidential candidates for 2012.

The Public Policy Polling survey has Huckabee with a solid 24 percent support among respondents, ahead of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney, the ex-governor of Massachussetts, who are tied at 14 percent.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich comes in third with 11 percent, followed by Tim Pawlenty, the ex-governor of Minnesota, with 8 percent.

PPP called Huckabee "the big winner" in this poll, citing his increased appeal to both moderates and conservatives within the Republican Party.

Romney isn't so lucky, according to PPP. He's not particulary popular among conservative voters, who give him only a 55 percent favorability rating. That's compared to 74 percent favorability from conservatives for Huckabee and 73 percent for Palin.

The survey points out a potential problem for Palin: her 65 percent favorabilty rating is the highest of any of the Republicans tested -- but still only 14 percent say that she's their first choice for president.

"They just don't think she's presidential material," PPP said. "She's not like a lot of presidential contenders who start out far behind but have a lot of room to grow as they become better known -- she's pretty much maxed out on people's awareness of her."

This week Huckabee told Fox News, where he hosts a talk show, that he won't make up his mind on another presidential campaign until this summer because "people get sick of us" and he doesn't want to seem like a "stale loaf of bread" to voters.

In the 2008 election, Huckabee finished second to Sen. John McCain in the delegate count.

Read the full results of Friday's poll here.

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GEORGE

Someone reported that In 2010 News Corporation gave $1M to the Republican Governors Association and $1M to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which was largely working to elect Republicans that year. If news corp. fox news gets behind Huckbee he could have a good chance. That would satisfy their viewers.

March 06 2011 at 2:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
varbar87

It is still early. I know that Rick Santorum has been getting support from across the country and his name is not in the mix yet. He is former senator from Penna. and is sensitive to real needs, a good communicator, and is on the right side of the issues at hand. He will make a great president.
I like Huckabee and as libere8er said a woman like Conda Lisa Rice would be a excellent choice in the level headed woman category. We need to stay progressive toward change, before we create a 50% level of poverty or go belly up financially as a nation.
Keep praying people, it is the only true lever of advantage for change.

February 09 2011 at 8:24 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
liber8er

It may be time (2012) for a level-headed, intelligent,and compassionate woman to come forth. Palin and Bachmann do not qualify.

February 08 2011 at 10:09 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
rhdnd

It is difficult for a "nice guy" to win, but that is our fault entirely. We buy all of the negative advertising/campaigning -- it continues, because it works. The Repubicans benefit from the talk about Obama not being a citizen, not graduating from Columbia, being a socialist, etc. The Democrats benefit from the stories of Palin being stupid, not being a good mother, etc. We have to hold our own parties accountable for such irrelevant trash talking --- but we won't; most of us love it; thus it continues.

February 08 2011 at 7:04 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
krayerd

Huckabee has been and is my favorite candidate for President. What's not to like. Intelligence, religious, politically savy, fair, and honest. WOW, when have we seen these qualities in a candidate for this office?

January 25 2011 at 11:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mscowby

Just wanted to let you all know that the Huckabee poll he is doing on repeal the Obama health care is really not an honest poll. I know I just called the number he gave both on his web page and phone. I was recorded as signing the petition.

Huckabee is baldm face lying in the recording, I got 2 i one day, the same exact message trying to use lies as scare tactics.... I hate that he has turned into a political prostute because I was leaning his way in 2012

January 25 2011 at 12:24 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
bhillman

Mike Huckabee could have what it takes. America could use a kind-hearted guy who carries and knows how to use a big stick. He seems to embody the real values of America and it appears he has the personality and skill set to bring the country back together. An "America First" kind of guy who has a strong sense of personal values and who'll stand up for what's right. A man for the times and challenges America faces.

January 24 2011 at 10:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
doc23cpoii

Hucabee is a wonderful person, so was Dole. Would he make a good President, most likely, will he make it . . . No way at all. Nice guys never make it, especially in politics. The last nice guy as president was Carter. Now, how great was he made to look in the history books. Is a white guy from Georgia even going to make anything at all of him. NO! Just where would they put him? In between Black history month/day/week, or at the end of the LatinO history page, or how about this one, Gay Gays that Got Good reviews in history ? No, no room in the inn for the end of the white guy, hetero, working, married, paying taxes and having no issues. Were would he be placed, oops my chip is falling off my shoulder, gotta go . . .

January 24 2011 at 7:41 PM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
leetraf

Just wanted to let you all know that the Huckabee poll he is doing on repeal the Obama health care is really not an honest poll. I know I just called the number he gave both on his web page and phone. I was recorded as signing the petition. I did not want to sighn the petition I wanted to make a comment in favor of the health care bill but I was recorded as being against it. I wonder how man thousand others got sucked in the same way?

January 24 2011 at 4:41 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
cdubois1

I'm really amazed that Matt Romney isn't being looked at with more enthusiasm. He has governing experience, did a remarkable job of cleaning up the corruption that was a part of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and on and on. I understand that his religion is a concern. I heard that same caution about John Kennedy. Romney just appears to have the strength to change the direction we've seen in Washington over these past two years. I hope more will take a closer look at him and understand his record of change.

January 24 2011 at 3:05 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply

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