Businessman Herman Cain continues to expand his lead among Iowa conservatives and gain voter confidence that he can actually win, according to a new poll of Iowa conservatives. Meanwhile, Tim Pawlenty’s recent announcement that he is entering the presidential race has moved him to third place with 13.5% support. The poll, conducted by the 2012 Iowa Report, exclusively surveyed Iowa conservatives through May 24. Cain’s support grew from 29.8% to 35.9% and leaves him with more than double the support among Iowa conservatives than any other presidential contender. Cain is also gaining voter confidence with more than one-in-five likely caucus goers (22.4%) now saying he will ultimately win the GOP nomination.
Other significant findings:
Despite an extensive week-long barnstorming tour of Iowa, Newt Gingrich saw his support among Iowa conservatives drop from 8.6% to 4.9% in one week.
Michele Bachmann remained the second favorite among Iowa conservatives (15.1%) but less than half of her own supporters think she will ultimately win.
Sarah Palin saw a slight bump from 7.5% to 10% and remains a serious option.
Mit Romney continues to register very little enthusiasm among Iowa conservatives (3.8% support) but is high in candidate credibility with 10.9% thinking he will ultimately win.
The 2012 Iowa Report Poll, a project of Grassfire Nation, is a special survey of Iowa conservatives conducted weekly to help measure where Iowa conservatives stand on the 2012 Republican presidential field.
