Second poll has Perry as front-runner

A new poll released Monday reaffirmed Texas Gov. Rick Perry's (R) standing as the front-runner in the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

Thirty-two percent of Republicans named Perry, who formally launched his presidential campaign about two weeks ago, as the candidate they'd most like to see win the Republican nomination.

Eighteen percent of Republicans said they would like to see Romney win the nomination, according to the CNN/ORC poll conducted last week. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) placed third at 12 percent, followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) at 7 percent and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) at 6 percent.

The CNN poll is the second to place Perry atop the field. A national Gallup poll released last week showed the Texas governor eclipsing Romney, who's long led his challengers for the nomination.

The poll found Perry still led the pack if former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) were included as candidates. In that instance, Perry led with 27 percent, followed by Romney at 14 percent and Palin at 10 percent. Giuliani would check in at 9 percent. 

The CNN/ORC poll, conducted Aug. 24 to 25, has a 4.5-point margin of error.

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