Romney, Palin at Front of GOP Presidential Field

At Gallup. Romney's at 19 percent. Palin at 16 percent. Huckabee at 12 and Gingrich at 9:

Generally speaking, the better-known candidates tend to fare best in early tests of support for presidential nominations. That helps explain why 2008 presidential candidates Romney and Huckabee, 2008 vice presidential nominee Palin, and former House Speaker Gingrich currently generate more support for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination than those who have not previously run for national office or held a high position in national government, such as Tim Pawlenty or Haley Barbour.



Historically, Republicans have generally nominated the early front-runner as the party's presidential candidate. The notable exception came in the last presidential election, when Rudy Giuliani led in most of the early nomination polls but had several poor early primary or caucus showings before withdrawing from the race.

For the record: My first pick is Sarah Palin, then Romney. I won't vote for Gingrich.