Mike Huckabee Shows Gains in New 2012 GOP Presidential Bid Polls

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has the support of more Republicans around the country than three of his potential 2012 rivals, according to a new CNN poll released Tuesday.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 67 percent of self-identified Republicans were either “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to support his candidacy in 2012.

That compared with 59 percent for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, 54 percent for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and 49 percent for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

It is the second recent poll to show momentum for Huckabee. A Public Policy Polling survey taken just before Christmas showed the former Arkansas governor overtaking Romney in the pivotal state of Florida.

Huckabee, Palin, Romney and Gingrich -- who have routinely finished in the top four of most 2012 Republican presidential polls -- were the only candidates whose support was measured by CNN.

While all four have said that they are considering a run in 2012, Romney has thus far given the clearest signals that he will make a second bid for the White House.

Huckabee, 55, who currently hosts a weekly show on Fox News Channel and is a paid contributor for the network, told Politico earlier this month that he has the best shot at winning the Republican nomination.

The winner of the 2008 Iowa caucuses also said he is not being taken seriously enough by pundits analyzing the 2012 field.

"I just don’t understand how it is that a person can read these polls day after day and the narrative is constantly everybody but me," Huckabee said.

"Whether I do it or not, the fact is that if one looks at the overall body of information that’s available, nobody would be in a better position to take it all the way to November," he added.

Huckabee, who finished second in the delegate count in 2008 behind eventual Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told Politico he would make a decision next year, mostly likely after April.

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