Thread: Romney builds modest lead in 2012 race

Who plans on watching the debate tonight? 8PM Eastern on CNN.

Poll: Romney builds modest lead in 2012 race - USATODAY.com
As Republican presidential contenders prepare for their first major debate tonight, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney building a modest lead in a political climate that could be well-suited to his candidacy.

To be sure, voters' loyalties are far from set seven or eight months before the caucuses and primaries begin. By 2-1, Republican and Republican-leaning independents say they may change their minds.

But there is no question which issue swamps all others in importance: the economy and jobs. Those surveyed were inclined to prefer the candidate who has the best chance of defeating President Obama rather than one who agrees with them on every issue......Romney's support stands at 24%, up 7 percentage points compared with a survey last month. In some ways, though, his standing is fragile. Only three in 10 of his backers say they are certain to stick with him. More than half of Palin's supporters are certain to support her.