Two polls released Wednesday offered a snapshot of the current state of the 2012 presidential race, as President Barack Obama continues to struggle with voters and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is increasingly becoming the alternative for conservative Republicans wary about front-runner Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.
A McClatchy-Marist poll found that Obama couldcount on only 36 percent who will definitely vote for him in 2012, as opposed to 43 percent of voters who said they would definitely vote against the president.
Despite those grim numbers, the poll found that Obama is ahead of every Republican candidate.
Romney, who was losing to Obama by 1 percent in a McClatchy-Marist poll taken in April, did slightly worse in the most recent poll, taking 42 percent against the president who stood with 46 percent. Obama enjoyed larger leads against the other Republican hopefuls. The president topped former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has left the door open to running for the Republican nod, 48 percent to 41 percent. Against Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, who has also yet to enter the race, Obama led 48 percent to 39 percent. Obama beat Bachmann, taking 49 percent to her 37 percent. When matched with former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Obama led 47 percent to 33 percent. The president did best against former Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, who has also left the door open to running but has yet to enter the race, crushing her 56 percent to 30 percent.
Looking at the Republican primary field, the poll finds Romney topping the field with 19 percent followed by three candidates who have yet to enter the race. Giuliani and Perry tied for second with 13 percent with Palin in fourth place with 11 percent. Bachmann placed fifth with 8 percent. Three candidates -- Pawlenty, businessman Herman Cain and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas -- were knotted up in sixth place with 5 percent apiece. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia tied for ninth with former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman at 2 percent, followed by former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with 1 percent. Former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico and activist Fred Karger garnered less than 1 percent.
The poll of 801 registered voters was taken between June 15-23 and had a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent. The survey included a poll of 308 Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, which had a margin of error of +/- 5.5 percent.
A poll released by Suffolk University/WHDH on Wednesday found that New Hampshire, home of the first primary contest, was Romney country.
Romney led the Republican field in the Granite State, taking 36 percent. Bachmann, who was in the back of the pack with 3 percent, moved up to second with 11 percent following a strong debate performance earlier in the month. Of those who watched the first debate, 33 percent thought Romney won while 31 percent thought Bachmann triumphed.
Despite being a long way from home, its clear that Bachmann is finding momentum in the Granite State, said David Paleologos, director of Suffolk Universitys Political Research Center. Romney has managed to stay on top throughout some shakeups in the Republican field.
Paul placed third with 8 percent while Giuliani took fourth with 5 percent. Huntsman and Palin tied for fifth in the Granite State with 4 percent. Gingrich and Pawlenty trailed with 2 percent followed by Santorum lagging behind with 1 percent.
The poll of 400 likely Republican primary voters was taken between June 25-27 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
