Texas Governor Rick Perry is leading the Republican presidential aspirants within weeks of joining the race, a latest opinion poll has revealed.
The CNN/ORC poll released yesterday, indicates that 27% of Republicans nationwide support Perry for their party's nomination, with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who's making his second bid for the White House, at 14%.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin follows at ten%, with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani at 9%, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Congressman Ron Paul of Texas, who's making his third bid for the presidency, at 6%.
"Perry's support is higher among Republican men, at 32%, than Republican women, at 23%, but he has more support among either group than any other candidate," said CNN Polling director Keating Holland.
This is further proof that the Texas Governor's entrance earlier this month into the race for the White House has dramatically altered the battle for the Republican presidential nomination, CNN said.
"Governor Perry is dynamic leader. After meeting with him, I got the impression that he would change the direction of the country where the country is heading now," said eminent Indian-American Republican leader Sampat Shivangi.
Shivangi was in Austin, Texas over the weekend where he had meetings with his key staff and dinner with Perry.
"He vowed to undo the Obama Care as his first Executive order when and if he takes office of the Presidency during his dinner speech," Shivangi told PTI after the meeting wherein he said he had a detailed meeting with the Texas Governor.
"I believe his capabilities and what he has done to Texas and bring better days for to the country in fields of economy and job creation," Shivangi said.
CNN said according to the survey, Perry supporters tend to be older and have higher incomes, but the longtime Texas governor also tops the list, albeit by smaller margins, among lower-income Republicans and those under 50 years old.
"Perry's biggest support comes from Republicans who say they are supporters of the tea party movement - he wins 37% of their vote - but he also edges Romney by a couple of points among Republicans who don't call themselves tea party supporters," Holland said.
