Poll Watch: Rasmussen Georgia 2012 Republican Primary Survey

Rasmussen Georgia 2012 GOP Primary Poll

• Newt Gingrich 38% (33%)
• Mitt Romney 26% (20%)
• Rick Santorum 20% (28%)
• Ron Paul 7% (9%)
• Some other candidate 3% (2%)
• Undecided 6% (8%)

Among Very Conservative Voters

• Newt Gingrich 48% (41%)
• Rick Santorum 24% (35%)
• Mitt Romney 18% (14%)

Among Somewhat Conservative Voters

• Newt Gingrich 39% (35%)
• Mitt Romney 27% (24%)
• Rick Santorum 19% (24%)

Are you certain you will vote for that candidate or is it possible that something come up that causes you to change your mind?

• Certain 60% (49%)
• Could change mind 33% (43%)

Which Republican presidential candidate would be the strongest opponent against Barack Obama in the general election?

• Mitt Romney 38% (32%)
• Newt Gingrich 36% (31%)

Regardless of who you want to win, who do you think will win the Republican presidential nomination?

• Mitt Romney 70% (54%)
• Newt Gingrich 12% (12%)
• Rick Santorum 12% (21%)

Survey of 750 likely Republican primary voters was conducted March 1, 2012.  The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points.  Results from the poll conducted February 22, 2012 are in parentheses.

Inside the numbers:

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of GOP primary voters in Georgia say it’s more important to choose a candidate who has the best chance of beating Obama. However, 35% believe it’s more important to pick a candidate who best represents the party’s values. Among those who believe it’s best to run someone who can beat Obama, it’s Gingrich 43%, Romney 32%, Santorum 15%. Among the voters who put more emphasis on party values, Gingrich only leads Santorum by six – 34% to 28% - with Romney a distant third at 17%.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Georgia’s likely GOP primary voters share a favorable opinion of Gingrich. Romney and Santorum are both viewed favorably by 61%. Only 38% see Paul in a favorable light. This marks slight gains for Gingrich and Romney but a nine-point drop-off for Santorum.

When it comes to income groups, the former House speaker’s support is strongest among voters who earn $60,000 to $100,000 annually.

Romney leads among Catholic Republicans in the Peach Tree State. Gingrich is ahead among Evangelical Christians, other Protestants and those of other faiths.

If Georgia voters had to choose between only the national GOP front-runners, Romney edges Santorum 45% to 41%. Last week, it was Santorum 51%, Romney 33%.