Perry Jumps Ahead in New GOP Poll

Rick Perry has soared ahead of his top rivals in the latest Rasmussen poll of likely GOP primary voters. With 29% support, he leads both Mitt Romney (18%) and Michele Bachmann (13%) by double digits. Ron Paul scored 9% support, with Herman Cain rounding out the top five at 6%. Some 16%, meanwhile, are still undecided, says the telephone poll of 1,000 nationwide.

For Perry, it’s a huge jump from two weeks ago, when he took 18%, behind Romney’s 22%. Perry also leads among self-identified Tea Party members, with 39% support to Bachmann’s 21%. “Governor Perry is enjoying a bounce from entering the race at precisely the right time,” says pollster Scott Rasmussen. “Now the difficult part begins for the new frontrunner. It’s much easier winning support when people are hoping you will get in the race than retaining support when you are the frontrunner.” Click to read about the flap over Perry's comments on Ben Bernanke. (More Rick Perry 2012 stories.)