Huck excites, Palin worries

That's the take-away from a new Gallup poll measuring enthusiasm for and perceived competence of 2012 Republican candidates.

Q: Which Republican would you most seriously consider supporting in 2012?

1. Mike Huckabee 71%/25%

2. Mitt Romney 65%/31%

3. Sarah Palin 65%/33%

Q: Which 2012 candidate do you view as qualified to be POTUS?

Among Republicans:

1. Mike Huckabee 72%

2. Mitt Romney 71%

3. Newt Gingrich 68%

4. Sarah Palin 58%

Among Indies:

1. Mike Huckabee 48%

2. Mitt Romney 45%

3. Newt Gingrich 39%

4. Sarah Palin 28%

Among Dems:

1. Mike Huckabee 38%

2. Mitt Romney 37%

3. Newt Gingrich 32%

4. Sarah Palin 14%

Notes: Facebook notes and death panels aside, Americans (and even a fairly large percentage of Republicans) still doubt Palin's competence.

A lot of people (e.g. Bill-O and Beck last week) are saying the book tour's going to be Palin's shot at addressing that.

The only problem is she seems to be building her book tour around friendly talk show hosts who aren't likely to challenge her. And even if one of them gets brave, the public won't buy a strong Palin response on Hannity's show. But they might with Katie Couric.

One more note: Gallup included Tim Pawlenty and, very oddly, Haley Barbour in the survey. Their unknowns are so high that it's not relevant to draw any conclusions, except that they're unknown.

[Hat tip: Political Wire]