Rasmussen: Christie, Ryan Lead the Prospective GOP Field

A new Rasmussen poll shows Chris Christie and Paul Ryan running first and second, respectively, among potential Republican presidential candidates. This is one of the first national surveys to include Ryan and Christie in its list of prospective candidates. Michele Bachmann also fares well in the poll, and Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney relatively so, but the poll does not provide much good news for Tim Pawlenty or Mitch Daniels. 

According to Rasmussen, here is the margin by which those who are likely to vote in a GOP primary would “definitely vote for,” rather than “definitely vote against,” a given candidate: 

1. Chris Christie, +22 points (30% “definitely vote for,” 8% “definitely vote against”)
2. Paul Ryan, +17 points (23%, 6%)
3. Michele Bachmann, +16 points (26%, 10%)
4. (tie) Mike Huckabee, +14 points (26%, 12%)
4. (tie) Mitt Romney, +14 points (26%, 12%)
6. Sarah Palin, +5 points (23%, 18%)
7. (tie) Newt Gingrich, +3 points (20%, 17%)
7. (tie) Rick Santorum, +3 points (12%, 9%)
9. Tim Pawlenty, +2 points (13%, 11%)
10. Herman Cain, 0 points (11%, 11%)
11. Ron Paul, -2 points (14%, 16%)
12. Mitch Daniels, -4 points (7%, 11%)
13. Rick Perry, -4 points (5%, 9%)
14. Donald Trump, -5 points (21%, 26%)
15. Jon Huntsman, -6 points (4%, 10%) 

Moreover, the poll shows that, among likely GOP primary voters who have a definite opinion (either way), the following prospective candidates are viewed most favorably: 

1. (tie) Chris Christie, 79% favorable
1. (tie) Paul Ryan, 79% favorable
3. Michele Bachman, 72% favorable
4. (tie) Mike Huckabee, 68% favorable
4. (tie) Mitt Romney, 68% favorable
6. Rick Santorum, 57% favorable
7. Sarah Palin, 56% favorable
8. (tie) Newt Gingrich, 54% favorable
8. (tie) Tim Pawlenty, 54% favorable
10. Herman Cain, 50% favorable
11. Ron Paul, 47% favorable
12. Donald Trump, 45% favorable
13. Mitch Daniels, 39% favorable
14. Rick Perry, 36% favorable
15. Jon Huntsman, 29% favorable