CNN Poll: Perry near the top in GOP nomination race - Paul Steinhauser

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/22/cnn-poll-perry-near-the-top-in-gop-nomination-race/

A CNN/ORC International Poll released Friday indicates that 14 percent of Republicans and independents who lean towards the GOP pick Perry as their first choice for their party's nomination, just two points behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who's making his second bid for the White House. Romney's two point margin over Perry is within the survey's sampling error.

According to the poll, both former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin are at 13 percent. While both Giuliani, who ran for the presidency four years ago, and Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008, have flirted with bids, neither has taken concrete steps towards launching a campaign.

In other words, three of the top four are choices that are not even in the race. One, Romney is triggering the GOP gag reflex. Two, this election is about protest, not victory. Three, Perry is the emodiment of the modern Republican party.