More than two-thirds of Republicans like what they see, making her a credible candidate for the 2012 caucuses should she decide to run for president, strategists say…

Iowa Republicans view Palin about as favorably as they do former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who won the 2008 caucuses, and former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich. More view Palin favorably than former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, runner-up in the 2008 caucuses.

“With those kind of numbers, if she were to become a candidate, while it’s not a sure thing, she would be starting out in a very good position,” said veteran Iowa GOP strategist David Roederer, who ran Sen. John McCain’s 2008 Iowa campaign.