Poll: Still no early favorites in GOP primary field

As is usually the case in early tests of candidate strength, the most well-known politicians fare best. Romney and Huckabee competed for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, and Palin was the party’s vice presidential nominee that year. Gingrich led the Republican efforts to win control of Congress in the 1994 elections and was speaker of the House.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels are among the Republicans who lack a strong national profile but could emerge as competitive candidates should they decide to run. None currently registers more than 4% support among Republicans nationwide.