The race for the Republican Presidential nomination is statistically tied. Two years away from the election no candidate has a clear lead. At the front of the pack are Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, who are all within the margin of error. Newt Gingrich leads with 23% of the vote, but is closely followed by Mike Huckabee with 21% and Mitt Romney with 19%.
Republicans may like Palin but they don’t have Presidential aspirations for the former Governor. Sarah Palin, who followed the three leading candidates with 17% of the vote, was the most popular candidate. 70% of Republicans gave Palin high marks, in comparison to Gingrich who had a 63% favorability rating.
Republicans have high praise for Sarah Palin but would rather see her as the Chair of the Republican National Committee than President. 44% of Republicans would like to see her replace Michael Steele as the Chair of the RNC.
Republicans have mixed feelings about the current Chair of the RNC, Michael Steele. 27% said he should step down as the Chair of the Republican National Committee, 28% said he should keep his post and 45% of Republicans said they’re not sure about Steee’ls future.
“This poll tells us more about the future of Sarah Palin than about the Republican Presidential nominee,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “It is too far out from the election to predict who will be the GOP nominee. But it is clear that Republicans believe Palin is better suited as the leader of the Republican Party than of the country.”
PPP surveyed 400 Republican American voters from July 9-12. The survey’s margin of error is +/- 4.9%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.
If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Mike Huckabee?
Favorable……………. 64%
Unfavorable ………… 11%
Not Sure……………… 25%
Q2 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Sarah Palin?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 70%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 14%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 16%
Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Newt Gingrich?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 63%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 14%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 24%
Q4 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Jan Brewer?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 31%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 8%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 61%
Q5 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Mitt Romney?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 59%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 14%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 27%
Q6 If the Republican candidates for President in
2012 were Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee,
Sarah Palin, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney who
would you support?
Newt Gingrich …………………………………………. 23%
Mike Huckabee ……………………………………….. 21%
Sarah Palin …………………………………………….. 17%
Ron Paul ………………………………………………… 7%
Mitt Romney……………………………………………. 19%
Someone else…………………………………………. 4%
Undecided………………………………………………. 10%
Q7 Do you think Michael Steele should resign as
chair of the Republican National Committee?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 27%
No …………………………………………………………. 28%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 45%
Q8 Would you like to see Sarah Palin become
chair of the Republican National Committee?
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 44%
No …………………………………………………………. 27%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 29%
Q9 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 2%
Moderate………………………………………………… 25%
Conservative…………………………………………… 73%
Q10 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 47%
Man……………………………………………………….. 54%
Q11 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 5%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 27%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 44%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 25%
