(08/06/10) -

Palin, Huckabee Top Choice for U.S. Republicans

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – American supporters of the Republican Party pick former presidential hopefuls Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee as favourites to represent the GOP in the 2012 election, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 51 per cent of respondents say Palin would be a good president, up four points since November 2009.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – American supporters of the Republican Party pick former presidential hopefuls Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee as favourites to represent the GOP in the 2012 election, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 51 per cent of respondents say Palin would be a good president, up four points since November 2009.

Huckabee is second on the list of politicians deemed capable for the job with 50 per cent, followed by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani both with 48 per cent, former speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich with 42 per cent—up 14 points—and former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice with 38 per cent. Support is lower for Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, Texas congressman Ron Paul, Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, and Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Michael Steele.

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. In November 2008, Democratic nominee Barack Obama secured a majority of electoral votes, defeating Republican candidate John McCain. On Jan. 20, Obama became the first African American president in U.S. history.

On Aug. 3, Huckabee criticized a judge’s decision to strike down some provisions of a controversial anti-illegal immigration law approved in Arizona—which is currently being challenged by the federal government. Huckabee declared: "Last week’s decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton is just another example of an activist judge putting their ideas ahead of the law. (…) Yet her decision did nothing to help the people of Arizona deal with these serious public safety concerns."

Polling Data

Several politicians have been mentioned as possible presidential candidates for the Republican Party in 2012. For each of these politicians, please say whether you think they would make a good president or a bad president. – Republican Party Supporters, "Good President"

Complete Poll (PDF)