Poll: Obama tops Palin in Arizona

President Obama holds a solid lead over former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) in a hypothetical 2012 general election match-up in Arizona, according to a new poll.  

Numbers released Wednesday from Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling show Obama ahead of Palin 49 percent to 41 percent in the state that's home to the man Palin was paired with on the 2008 GOP presidential ticket — Sen. John McCain. 

Obama's approval stands at just 45 percent in Arizona, but the poll found that a full 57 percent of voters hold an unfavorable opinion of Palin in the state.  

The president doesn't fare nearly as well in the state against other potential GOP hopefuls, though. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads Obama 49 percent to 43 percent, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee leads him 48 percent to 44 percent. 

The poll found Obama in a dead heat with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, with both enjoying 49 percent support. 

It's just the latest in a string of polls that finds Obama faring well against Palin in any number of states that typically are not the most fertile ground for Democratic presidential nominees. Recent Public Policy polls found Obama leading Palin in South Dakota and tied with her in Nebraska.  

The poll surveyed 599 Arizona voters and has a margin of error of 4 percent.