MADISON, Wis. -- The residues of liberalism's Wisconsin Woodstock -- 1960s radicalism redux: operatic lamentations, theatrical demonstrations and electoral futilities -- are words of plaintive defiance painted on sidewalks around the state Capitol.

Florida Public Service commissioners zeroed in on three candidates Tuesday for the regulatory bodys vacant executive director position.

After receiving more than 100 applications at the beginning of the summer, the five commissioners narrowed their search to 15 candidates in previous meetings. The candidates were interviewed on the phone and in person -- 10 of them were in PSC offices Monday. Tuesday, commissioners voted on their top choices for a longer, in-depth interview.

A poll unveiled Tuesday from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to prominent Democrats, found Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, who has been in the race for less than two weeks, leading the Republican pack in Iowa, home of the first caucus.

Perry topped the poll with 22 percent, followed by former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts with 19 percent. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, who won the Iowa straw poll in Ames earlier in the month, placed third with 18 percent followed by U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who placed second in Ames, with 16 percent.