Mitt Romney has opened a sizable lead in a new poll of 2012 GOP contenders, in spite of voter reservations about a Mormon in the White House.
A new Quinnipiac Poll finds 25 percent of likely GOP voters support the former Massachusetts governor in the race for the GOP nomination. That's 10 points more than Sarah Palin, the only other potential 2012 hopeful to crack double-digits in the poll.
Romney's lead is significant as the poll finds voters continue to have serious doubts about his religion. Just 45 percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Mormonism, while 32 percent said they have an unfavorable view.
Asked if they would be comfortable with a Mormon president, 60 percent of voters said they would be "comfortable" compared to 36 percent who said they'd be "uncomfortable."
By comparison, 83 percent of voters said they'd be comfortable with a Catholic in the White House, 80 percent with a Jewish president and 67 percent with a president who was an evangelical Christian. Just 38 percent of those polled said they'd be okay with a Muslim president, while 37 percent said they'd be comfortable with an atheist in the White House.
Who would have the most problems with a Mormon in the White House? Democrats. According to Quinnipiac, just 49 percent of Dems say they'd be okay with a Mormon president, compared to 68 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of self-described independent voters.
Romney holds a big lead over other likely 2012 rivals, according to the poll. Herman Cain came in third in the poll, with 9 percent support. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul both got 8 percent trailed by Michele Bachmann (6 percent), Tim Pawlenty (5 percent), Rick Santorum (4 percent) and Jon Huntsman (1 percent). Twenty percent of likely GOP voters say they are still undecided in the race.
Yet the poll also differs from an ABC News/Washington Post poll released yesterday that found Obama and Romney virtually tied in a potential general election match-up. Quinnipiac's poll finds Obama leading Romney 47 percent to 41 percent--a number that Obama's team likely prefers but is still pretty dismal for an incumbent president.
(Photo of Romney: Stephen Savoia/AP)
