Obama leads over four potential 2012 GOP contenders: Poll

Washington, Jan 21 (ANI): US President Barack Obama is ahead of over four potential 2012 presidential Republican contenders, according to a Public Policy Polling.

This is a sharp contrast to an earlier poll conducted just after the mid-term poll in November 2010.

The Politico quoted the poll as saying that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney remains one of the most competitive Republicans against Obama, trailing 43 percent to 48 percent. Obama had a point edge over Romney in November.

Obama has also secured advantages against former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, than he had in November. In the latest poll, he is leading over Huckabee by five points, Gingrich by 12 points and Palin by 17 points.

More voters view all four Republicans unfavourably than favourably, according to the poll. But echoing other surveys, Huckabee is the most liked, with 38 percent having an unfavourable opinion of him and 37 percent having a favourable view.

Two polls earlier this week showed Obama's approval ratings surpassing 50 percent following his response to the Tucson shootings. (ANI)