Romney, Palin Lead in Early New Hampshire Poll

[stayput]

Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin lead a field of potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates in the nation’s first primary state, New Hampshire, a new poll reveals.

The Magellan Strategies survey of more than 1,450 likely Republican and independent voters, commissioned by NH Journal, showed Romney with 39 percent of the vote. Romney served as governor of neighboring Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007.

Former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate Palin was second with 16 percent, followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee with 10 percent, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with 8 percent.

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas got 7 percent, Tim Pawlenty — who just finished his term as Minnesota governor — received 4 percent, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum got 3 percent, and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, 1 percent.

“Other Candidate” or “Undecided” rounded out the field.

A spokesman for Pawlenty, the first potential candidate to have a paid staffer in the Granite State, dismissed the poll results, Roll Call reported.

“Any poll at this stage is largely a name ID test,” spokesman Alex Conant said.

“And obviously Gov. Pawlenty isn’t as well known as other potential candidates who have run for national office.”

Magellan pollster David Flaherty said in a statement: “This survey is a very early measurement of the potential 2012 Republican Presidential primary field. Mitt Romney’s strength is not surprising considering his close second place finish to John McCain in 2008 and his regional advantage of being a former border state Governor.”

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I don't think it will be either of them, but if it is, I hope it is Romney. I would gladly vote for Romney. I preferred him to McCain last time around. I like Romney, but it seems to me he would be attacked the same as last time for the same things and with the same outcome. Maybe not, though. Sarah-- I will be shocked if Sarah makes it. I really do not see that happening. Maybe I am not being fair to her, and I like her a lot, I just don't think she is ready at this time.