New Clarus Poll: Why Cain Surged?

Cain Seen As Strongest Leader; Romney As Most Intelligent

But: Who Would GOP Voters Rather Have Dinner With?

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Clarus Research Group:

• A new nationwide Clarus Poll finds that Republican voters rate Herman Cain as the strongest leader, the most consistent conservative, and the best on the economy and jobs of the top three polling contenders.
• Mitt Romney is seen as the most intelligent, experienced and electable of the GOP's top three polling contenders for president. They also think Romney best understands foreign policy.
• Republican voters rank Rick Perry third in all categories.  

"The poll provides new insights into how Republicans view the qualities of their top three candidates for president," said Ron Faucheux, president and chief analyst of Clarus Research Group. "Of the seven qualities Clarus tested, Romney leads in four and Cain leads in three."

Clarus Research Group is a full-service, nonpartisan, survey research firm based in Washington, D.C. These questions were not asked on behalf of, or paid for by, any client, political candidate or party organization. More information on Clarus clients and service offerings may be found on the Web at www.ClarusRG.com.

FINDINGS

• Cain's perceived qualities relate to style and ideology. Cain wins as the strongest leader, the most consistent conservative and the candidate who best understands how to create jobs and improve the economy. He received 42% on the jobs issue, while Romney captured 26%. "Cain is seen as strong and consistent, both influential credentials with Republican voters this year," said Faucheux.
• "The perception that Romney has the best chance to beat President Obama is a huge advantage with a GOP electorate that is focused on defeating the current White House occupant. Romney's top qualities relate well to presidential qualifications: intelligence, the right experience and the best understanding of foreign policy issues," said Faucheux. "This explains why Romney continues to be seen as the most presidential of the field."
• Perry ranked third at 15% on job creation and the economy. "The fact that Perry rated last is a big problem for him since he's based his entire campaign on his jobs record as governor of Texas," Faucheux said.

IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH A CANDIDATE, WHO WOULD YOU PICK?

The Clarus Poll asked Republican voters which one of the top six GOP presidential candidates they'd want to have dinner with––and the winner is... …Herman Cain, the first choice of 29%. Newt Gingrich is in second place with 22%. Faucheux notes, "Gingrich was the only candidate to win a significantly higher percentage of dinner invitations than he does support from Republican voters as a candidate for the nomination."

Given the choice of a dinner companion, Romney scored 17% for third place. Michelle Bachmann followed with 8%. Ron Paul and Rick Perry each scored 7%. Only 5% of Republicans said they'd rather not have dinner with any of the six names listed.

"This result is a good indication of Cain's personal likability," said Faucheux. "Although it may just be an indication that Americans like pizza."

ABOUT THE POLL:

The poll was conducted by the nonpartisan Clarus Research Group, a survey firm based in Washington, D.C. The poll was conducted Oct. 19-21 based on a representative sample of 400 self-identified Republican registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 5.24%. Live interviewing was conducted via landline and cell telephones.  

Ron Faucheux, president of Clarus, is the author or editor of seven books on politics, teaches at George Washington University, and is the former editor of Campaigns & Elections magazine. He can be contacted at [email protected]  

For a free subscription to LUNCHTIME POLITICS, a daily polling report from Clarus delivered to your mobile device or computer, go to www.ClarusRG.com.

ACTUAL POLL QUESTION WORDING, ORDER AND FREQUENCIES:

(Asked only of "Republicans" and "Independents who lean Republican")

If you could have dinner with ONE of the following presidential candidates, which ONE would you pick… Mitt Romney, Herman Cain, Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, or Ron Paul?
 

Herman Cain 29%
Newt Gingrich 22%
Mitt Romney 17%
Michele Bachmann 8%
Ron Paul 7%
Rick Perry 7%
Neither/None of these (volunteered) 5%
No opinion/not sure/no answer/depends (volunteered) 5%

I am now going to read to you a few descriptions. Please tell me whether you think each one most accurately describes Mitt Romney, Herman Cain, or Rick Perry––

SOURCE Clarus Research Group