Republicans and Republican leaning independents Party Identification Tea Party Supporters Most important quality in Republican presidential candidate
Col % Republican Independent Col % Shares your values Is closest to you on the issues Can beat President Obama in 2012 Has the experience to govern
Col % Col % Col % Col % Col % Col %
If the 2012 Republican presidential primary were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are: Rick Perry 30% 29% 31% 36% 33% 21% 41% 26%
Mitt Romney 22% 22% 23% 17% 18% 24% 23% 27%
Michele Bachmann 12% 13% 9% 12% 15% 10% 4% 15%
Ron Paul 7% 9% 5% 7% 8% 11% 3% 7%
Newt Gingrich 6% 5% 8% 8% 1% 8% 9% 7%
Herman Cain 5% 5% 4% 8% 4% 6% 5% 3%
Rick Santorum 2% 1% 3% 2% 2% 2% <1% 1%
Jon Huntsman 1% 1% 2% 1% 1% 4% 1% 1%
Undecided 15% 15% 15% 9% 16% 14% 14% 13%
Marist Poll National Republicans and Republican Leaning Independents: Interviews conducted September 13th and September 14th, 2011, N=317 MOE +/- 5.5%. Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding.