Is Rep Ron Paul, R-Texas, more electable than President Obama or Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas? Harris Interactive, released a poll today suggesting that Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, would defeat President Obama in a general election, whereas Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, would lose to the general election.
When Harris asked respondents about the general election, 51 percent supported Paul against Obama, who received 49 percent in that hypothetical matchup. Perry lost to Obama 51-49, while former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., won the hypothetical election 53-47.
The poll also indicated that Romney as the frontrunner with 14 percent support. Perry came in second with 11 percent, with Paul rounding out the top 3 with 9 percent. Harris polls rely on online interactive surveys, which tend to skew the results because people can self-select to participate. The CNN poll following the Perry’s poor performance in last week’s debate showed Perry holding to a 7 point lead, down from 12 before the debate. Romney placed second in that poll with 21 percent, while Paul tied for 3d place with Sarah Palin (7 percent each), as opposed to his 3d place finish in Harris with 9 points.
The poll included Sarah Palin, who garnered 4 percent – down from 8 points in July.
