In a new USA Today/Gallup poll, Rick Perry leads with 31 percent among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents. He’s trailed by Mitt Romney (24 percent) and Ron Paul (13 percent). Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, and Newt Gingrich are in a three-way tie at 5 percent each. Rick Santorum is at 2 percent, and Jon Huntsman at 1 percent.
In a a Romney-Perry race, 49 percent would support Perry and 39 percent Romney. Romney would beat Obama in a general election, 49 percent to 47 percent, but Perry would lose, 45 percent to 50 percent.