Even before he officially entered the GOP presidential field, Texas Gov. Rick Perry was generating plenty of buzz about his potential candidacy. And now that he is formally part of that field, the buzz and enthusiasm have only grown.
Perry has rapidly taken an apparent lead among the Republican candidates.
Current polling by Rasmussen Reports shows that he is favored by 29 percent of people who identify themselves as likely Republican primary voters. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who until now had been perceived as the front-runner, had 18 percent support among likely GOP primary voters. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota was the choice of 13 percent. And Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was backed by 9 percent.
It is not too surprising this early on that 16 percent of poll respondents declared themselves undecided. Nevertheless, Perry’s sudden ascent in the polls indicates a good deal of interest in him.
The question will be how his support holds up as the American people get to know him — and his strengths and weaknesses — better.