McClatchy poll: T-Paw’s 2012 support at 2 percent

Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the top pick for the 2012 GOP nomination of just 2 percent of respondents in a new nationwide McClatchy-Marist poll.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney led the pack of likely 2012 contenders, with support from 20 percent of respondents. He was followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (16 percent) and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (13 percent).

Pawlenty has been actively testing the presidential waters since announcing that he would not seek a third term last year. But despite relentless travel across the country, no 2012 poll has shown him gaining traction.

Pawlenty even trailed some candidates that aren’t often mentioned as likely 2012 contenders, such as former New York Gov. George Pataki (three percent) and Texas Gov. Rick Perry (five percent). The upside for Pawlenty: he out-polls Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who garnered support from just one percent of respondents.

The nationwide survey of 1,020 adults was conducted November 15 to 18 and included cell phones. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.