Texas Gov. Rick Perry has reportedly been eyeing the race for the Republican presidential nomination — but Texas isn’t eyeing him for president, according to new survey from Public Policy Polling (D).
Indeed, the poll shows Perry trailing President Obama in heavily Republican Texas, which last voted Democratic for president in 1976, when Jimmy Carter was the South’s favorite son. Obama leads 47%-45%, even though Obama’s net approval rating is underwater at 42%-55%. Of course, this could potentially change if Perry actually became the nominee in a real election, but it’s not a good starting point.
The poll found Perry’s approval rating at only 43%, with 52% disapproval. In addition, the poll asked simply: “Do you think Rick Perry should run for president next year, or not?” The result was only 33% saying he should run, to 59% saying he should not.
Obama was tested against other Republicans, with varying results: Michele Bachmann leads by 47%-44%, Herman Cain is tied at 43%-43%, Sarah Palin trails by 46%-44%, Tim Pawlenty edges ahead by 44%-43%; and Mitt Romney has an solid, healthy lead of 50%-42%.
As for another maybe presidential contender with a bad showing against Obama in her home state – a Hays Research poll released on Tuesday showed only 36% of Alaska voters choosing Sarah Palin over Obama. 42% of those polls said they would vote for the President.
The Texas survey of registered voters was conducted from June 25-27, and has a ±3.5% margin of error.
