Tea party backs Romney in New Hampshire

A very encouraging stat for Mitt Romney -- according to a new PPP survey, he's in first place among those in New Hampshire who identify themselves with the tea party.

1. Mitt Romney 29%

2. Ron Paul 21%

3. Newt Gingrich 20%

4. Michele Bachmann 12%

5. Rick Perry and Rick Santorum 5%

7. Jon Huntsman 4%

8. Gary Johnson 1%

As PPP notes, it's extremely rare for Romney to win tea party voters and a reflection of his strength in the state. He's certain to win if tea partiers keep backing him by that margin.

And among all likely GOP primary voters, he also holds a strong lead.

1. Mitt Romney 35%

2. Ron Paul 19%

3. Newt Gingrich 17%

4. Jon Huntsman 13%

5. Michele Bachmann 5%

6. Rick Santorum 3%

7. Rick Perry 2%

Romney is also much better liked than any candidate in the state.

Perry's favorable rating with likely primary voters is -39% (!), Bachmann's is -4%, Newt is -9%, Huntsman is +13%, Ron Paul is +16%, and Romney is +33%.