NC-PPP: Romney takes the lead, Cain a strong second

[Tender Branson]

Given the choices of Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, and Mitt Romney who would you most like to see as the Republican candidate for President next year?

Mitt Romney.................................................... 20%
Herman Cain................................................... 18%
Sarah Palin ..................................................... 17%
Newt Gingrich ................................................. 12%
Ron Paul......................................................... 8%
Tim Pawlenty .................................................. 8%
Michele Bachmann ......................................... 5%
Jon Huntsman................................................. 1%
Someone else/Undecided............................... 10%

If Sarah Palin didn’t run and the choices were just Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt
Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, and Mitt Romney who would you most like to see as the nominee?

Mitt Romney.................................................... 25%
Herman Cain................................................... 21%
Newt Gingrich ................................................. 14%
Michele Bachmann ......................................... 10%
Ron Paul......................................................... 9%
Tim Pawlenty .................................................. 9%
Jon Huntsman................................................. 1%
Someone else/Undecided............................... 10%

PPP surveyed 400 Republican primary voters from June 8th to 11th. The margin of error for the survey is +/-4.9%. This poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization. PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews.

PPP is a Democratic polling company, but polling expert Nate Silver of the New York Times found that its surveys in 2010 actually exhibited a slight bias toward Republican candidates.

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_NC_0617.pdf

Map:

Red -> Romney
Green -> Pawlenty
Yellow -> Cain