Of the eight announced candidates, Perry and Cain generate the most enthusiasm among Republicans, with Positive Intensity Scores above 20. The gap between these two candidates and the remainder of the field on this measure has widened in recent weeks. Huntsman’s Positive Intensity Score has fallen into negative territory, meaning more Republicans who are familiar with Huntsman have a strongly negative opinion of him than a strongly positive one.

Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin, who still have not ruled out entering the race, are also well-liked by Republicans (74% and 69% favorable ratings, respectively), but also do not generate the same degree of strong intense feeling as Perry and Cain. Giuliani’s current Positive Intensity Score is 15 and Palin’s is 13.