SHOCK POLL: Herman Cain Leads GOP Nationally! (PPP Poll has Romney trailing by 8 points)

Business Insider ^ | 10/12/2011 | Zeke Miller

[SeekAndFind]

Businessman Herman Cain has risen to the top of a national poll of Republican primary voters, upending the GOP field yet again this cycle.

Cain has the support of 30 percent of Republicans in the Public Policy Polling survey, trailed by Mitt Romney at 22 percent, Newt Gingrich at 15 percent, and Rick Perry at 14 percent. Cain is also the second choice of 24 percent of those polled — the highest of any candidate.

In a two-person race, Romney would lead Perry 48-38, Cain would lead Romney 48-36, and Cain would destroy Perry 55-27.

The poll was conducted before last night's Washington Post-Bloomberg debate, in which Cain alienated some members of the tea party (his largest constituency) by saying he admired Alan Greenspan's leadership of the Federal Reserve.

PPP has a checkered history with polling — and this poll has a VERY large 4.5 percent margin of error — so don't read too much into this just yet.

[basil]

I think Cain is so popular because people are sick and tired of entrenched politicians. They want somebody new, who has never been a political politician, but someone who has some experience in the real world.

[Prokopton]

A Cain/Newt ticket is not possible for the simple reason that they’re both GEORGIANS.

What makes you think that?

[GatorGirl]

There might be a problem with a Cain/Newt ticket.

If they both still claim a Georgia residence, Georgia electors cannot cast their vote for both Cain and Gingrich as Pres/VP or vice-versa.

In a close race that might be disastrous.

If either has another “home state” like Cheney did when he ran with Bush it isn’t a problem.

[ColdOne]

It is only a shock to the far left media.

[MNJohnnie]

Newt Gingrich at 15 percent

Shows the value of ideas in this race. People want solutions, not slogans.

[Prokopton]

PPP is now a respectable polling firm? Oooooooooookay.

The Wall Street Journal found PPP to be the most accurate pollster of the 2008 presidential election. Nate Silver, a respected statistician and founder of FiveThirtyEight has also found PPP to be one of the more accurate pollsters in recent times. PPP correctly predicted all six Wisconsin recall elections this year, even the races that Democrats lost. They've also correctly called all the special elections this year.

[ken21]

pTL!

[MNJohnnie]

PPP is now a respectable polling firm? Oooooooooookay.

You thought they were when they had Perry at 31%

[Gaffer]

I agree. Many people here, usually those not from Georgia, are open and willing to consider Newt as a contenter or VP. I’m one of his former constituents.

His failure at the waning of Clinton’s administration are proof-positive enough for me to believe he is tragically flawed, both personally and politically.

I’m not going to go into the past; the recent times have been enough for me: His arrogance re: his campaign staff in getting his candidacy on track instead of a Med Cruise with “Callista” [God how I hate having to hear him harp on about her].

Intellectually, the man is a first rate academic - that’s all. Politically and personally he has made and makes bad, bad choices. His academic arrogance is stunning, and I believe his execution of that high of a political office would have dire consequences. Nope. No Newt for me - ever.

[Mountain Bike Vomit Carnage]

It’s only a shocker that people who claimed to be smarter than democrats would vote for someone who has no experience and makes his living as a motivational speaker.

Actually it’s quite shameful.

[Meet the New Boss]

Newt is a resident of Virginia, has been for several years

[JLAGRAYFOX]

You are right on the money!!! Christie is so popular for who he is as a person, rather then a politician!!! Christie takes no guff, and destroys the media and his opposition by making them look like the fools they usually are!!! Herman Cain is in the same league, if not even better. He lets no man or woman push him around. He stands his ground, speaks in plain common terms, a self made man!!! Why even his 9,9,9 tax proposal is simple and delivers a mighty message to and from the people. Our government needs sea level change, period!!! Yes, a tax system where all cirtizens pay!!! I don’t care if the poorest person in the nation buys a gigantic flat screen TV for $2000.00 to watch sports!!! If he or she can afford the two grand then let them pay 9% tax for the TV. Plus, the Black Market low life & criminals would have to ante up too!!! The Cain proposal may not be the end all, but....it is pointed in the right direction!!! Keep at it, Herman, the common folks of all stripes are woith you!!!

[Gaffer]

Newt used Georgia only as long as it fit his needs. He doesn’t live here as far as I know. He and “Callista” live near DC, I think.....

[BenKenobi]

There’s so many good people out there who would do an excellent job.

There’s certainly more idea men then just him.

[Right Wing Assault]

PPP is now a respectable polling firm? Oooooooooookay.

I don't think they are saying that.

PPP has a checkered history with polling — and this poll has a VERY large 4.5 percent margin of error — so don't read too much into this just yet.

[magritte]

You have me mixed up with somebody else. Polls are useless at his point in time.

Least that’s what I learned from the Palinistas.

[pgkdan]

Wouldn't get too excited about this, even though Cain's rise in stature is hard to deny. PPP is a Daily Kos affiliate, after all.

[Gaffer]

Tru Dat....as an academic idea man with no power, he’s okay. There are others who have put the rubber to the road more successfully than he. I don’t see a need to mount up a retread to take down Obama.

[justsaynomore]

Pinging the Cain Train!

Cain's total favorable rating of 77% is five points higher than Romney's 72%, suggesting the two are about equally well-liked among Republicans familiar with them. What separates the two, as evidenced by their Positive Intensity Scores, is the intensity those who like Cain feel toward him. Thirty-five percent of Republicans familiar with Cain have a strongly favorable opinion of him, compared with 18% for Romney.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/150020/Cain-Momentum-Perry-Decline- Positive-Intensity-Continue.aspx

[Highlander1754]

Cain stands not a snowballs chance in hell of getting the nomination and surprise he’s not a conservative. He was for Tarp, for the bailout and was chairman of the Fed in Kansas City. He also supported the RINO Romney in 2008. He was exposed last night for being the lightweight that he is. He has no command of any subject and ask him any question and he says “9-9-9’. If this is what the GOP has came down to Lord help it. The country has seen what experience can do for this country. Pray that it does not happen again. There is nothing “Tea Party” about Herman Cain. The former head of the Kansas City Federal Reserve is what Cain is. A big government guy who thinks the Fed is the answer to all your problems. He is also a liar and Ron Paul called him on it last night. Of course he backtracked but google it. It’s all over the internet where he is saying the Fed does not need to be audited.