Mike Huckabee Leads Republicans in Poll of Iowa Voters for President in 2012

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Aug 16, 2010   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Mike Huckabee Leads Republicans in Poll of Iowa Voters for President in 2012

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
August 16
, 2010

Des Moines, IA (LifeNews.com) — As the pro-life movement looks to replace pro-abortion President Barack Obama in 2012, they will first need to select a Republican nominee. The 2012 presidential election campaign begins in earnest in Iowa and Republican voters in the Hawkeye State say Mike Huckabee is again their top choice.

Huckabee came from nowhere to win the Iowa caucuses in 2008 and that victory propelled him from back-of-the-pack status to a place in the top three against Mitt Romney and John McCain.

Now, if a new survey conducted for the web site TheIowaRepublican.com is any indication, Huckabee is on track to repeat that victory.

Huckabee, who is pro-life, leads the field with the support of 22 percent of Iowa voters. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who campaigned as a pro-life candidate in 2008, comes in second with 18 percent.

"The poll shows that the 2012 contest is going to begin right where the 2008 Iowa Caucuses left off, with Mike Huckabee leading Mitt Romney," the web site said about its survey.

"Romney has already sent signals that he will likely run again in 2012. His leadership PAC has raised more money than any other potential candidate, and he continues to travel the county. While he is expected to be the frontrunner nationally, Huckabee will be the frontrunner in Iowa if he decides to make another try for the Republican nomination," it added.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a pro-life advocate who visited the Iowa State Fair last week and is considered a potential GOP presidential candidate, came in third place with 14 percent.

Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, came in fourth place with the support of 14 percent of Iowa Republicans surveyed in the poll. And pro-life Congressman Ron Paul came in fifth, as he did in the Iowa caucus in 2008, with the support of five percent.

"With 23 percent of the field undecided, there is plenty of room for other candidates to emerge or gain support as they begin introducing themselves to Iowans. It is also likely that the field of candidates will change before next summer," the web site said.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, a pro-life advocate who appears likely to run for president but it little known, came in at one percent along with pro-life Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, who has also been active recently in putting together the makings of a possible pro-life presidential campaign, received less than one percent in the poll.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Texas Governor Rick Perry, both pro-life, did not register any support in the poll, which did not include pro-life Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.

The web site added, "If there is a surprise in the poll, it’s the strength of Newt Gingrich. Gingrich has been a frequent visitor to Iowa over the past decade. He has headlined events for the Republican Party of Iowa, various political candidates, and held activist workshops across the state."

TheIowaRepublican.com polled 399 Iowa Republicans who consider themselves likely voters.

 

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