Perry surpasses Romney in new polls
WASHINGTON – Mitt Romney is the Republican front-runner no longer.
For months, the former Massachusetts governor has been at the top of nearly every measurement in the Republican presidential contest. He led almost every poll, especially those conducted nationally.
But two new surveys now have Romney trailing – by double digits – to the newest candidate in the race, Texas Governor Rick Perry.
In the first Gallup Poll conducted since Perry entered the field a week and a half ago, 29 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said they are most likely to support Perry, compared with 17 percent for Romney.
Representative Ron Paul, of Texas, was third with 13 percent, followed by Representative Michele Bachmann, of Minnesota, with 10 percent.
The poll indicated that Perry had strong support among older Republicans, those living in the South, and those who consider themselves religious. He struggled among liberals and moderates, younger Republicans, and those living in the eastern part of the country.
The poll was conducted from Aug. 17-21, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Another new poll, from Public Policy Polling, had similar results. Perry was at 33 percent, Romney at 20 percent, and Bachmann at 16 percent.
“Conservative voters have been looking for a candidate that they can rally around and Perry’s filling that role,’’ the polling firm wrote. “Romney continues to lead with the small portion of voters describing themselves as moderate.’’
Romney has for months been considered the front-runner in the race, but one with shaky support that Perry seems to be capitalizing on.
Still, the quick start for the governor from Texas could simply be a measurement of new buzz around a new candidate. Other late entries – Republican Fred Thompson in 2008, and Democrat Wesley Clark in 2004 – also saw a big bounce upon entering their races, only to falter as debates and primaries unfolded.
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