In the 2008 election, Obama became the first Democratic president to take Virginia since Lyndon Johnson. In the wake of speculation that this would not be repeated in 2012, PPP surveyed state voters. The results? Obama is found leading all four Republican frontrunners by at least five points.
When matched up against Mitt Romney, Obama has a 48%-43% advantage. His lead is an identical five points against Mike Huckabee (49%-44%). Against both Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich, that lead grows to 11 points — 51%-40% against Palin, 52%-41% against Gingrich.
In Virginia’s elections early this month, Republican challengers toppled three Democratic congressmen, including 28-year incumbent Rick Boucher and Republican target Rep. Tom Perriello.
