Rasmussen: Romney, Huckabee strong against Obama

A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Mitt Romney edging Barack Obama in a 2012 matchup, while Mike Huckabee ties the POTUS.

Other potential Republican nominees don't fare as well.

a. Mitt Romney 44% Barack Obama 42%

b. Mike Huckabee 43% Barack Obama 43%

c. Barack Obama 47% Newt Gingrich 39%

d. Barack Obama 49% Sarah Palin 38%.

e. Barack Obama 44% Ron Paul 35%.

Rasmussen also polled matchups between the POTUS and a host of other potential 2012 candidates, but national name ID for those Republican candidates is low, which makes interpretation difficult.

As for the head-to-heads, the numbers reflect what other polls have said -- Gingrich and Palin are similarly polarizing, while Romney and Huck run strong again the POTUS. In PPP's most recent poll (released January 20), Obama leads the two former gov's by 5% each, but routs Palin by 17%.

As for the whom the GOP nominates, Rasmussen conducted a poll of a national primary this month showing Romney leading the pack.

1. Mitt Romney 24%

2. Sarah Palin 19%

3. Mike Huckabee 17%

4. Newt Gingrich 11%

5. Tim Pawlenty 6%

6. Ron Paul 4%

7. Mitch Daniels 3%