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Another Day, Another Good Poll for Rick Perry

Gov. Perry has had a nice week at the polls. Even if it's early in the race.
Photo by Daniel Reese for KUT News
Gov. Perry has had a nice week at the polls. Even if it's early in the race.

For the 3rd day in a row, Texas Governor Rick Perry has a national poll to use as he builds momentum for his presidential run.

Today it's from Rasmussen, which for now doesn't have any of the GOP candidates defeating President Obama, but Perry is the closest.  Here's a rundown of the poll taken after the Iowa straw poll and Perry's announcement in South Carolina.

  • Obama 43% Perry 40%
  • Obama 43% Bachmann 39%
  • Obama 46% Romney 38%

If those positive numbers weren't enough - the Governor also picked up an endorsement from former gubernatorial opponent and Democratic candidate for Ag Commissioner, Kinky Friedman.

Sure, the Kinky backing could lead to a Perry landslide in November 2012, but the early polls don't have as good a track record.

When Gallup released its own poll earlier this week - it pointed out how previous polls done more than 15 months before a presidential election have been wrong. That includes ones from 1979 and 1983 that showed Ronald Reagan in statistical ties with President Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale. Reagan defeated both in landslide wins.

Ben Philpott is the Managing Editor for KUT. Got a tip? Email him at bphilpott@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @BenPhilpottKUT.