Obama Lags In New 2012 Polls

President Barack Obama fails to best former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in two new Presidential polls.

According to Rasmussen Reports, Romney leads narrowly by 43 percent to 42 percent and in a Public Policy Polling survey, Obama ties with Romney at 45 percent.

Dean Debnam, the President of Public Policy Polling, attributed the President’s poor numbers to the public’s ongoing doubts over the economy.

“There’s a very good chance Barack Obama would lose if he had to stand for reelection today,” Debnam said in a statement. “This is his worst poll standing in a long time and he really needs the economy to start turning around.”

Romney soundly leads the GOP field. Earlier this month, his campaign announced that he had raised $18.25 million in the second fundraising quarter, other candidates failed to top $5 million.

President Obama’s re-election campaign reported raising $86 million.

The Public Policy Polling survey was conducted between July 15^th through the 17^th among 928 registered voters. The Rasmussen Reports poll was among 1,000 registered voters between June 24^th and July 17^th.

Sarah Palin Confident She Can Win Presidency

In a Newsweek article posted Sunday, Sarah Palin maintained that although her political intentions remain ambiguous, her ability to win a presidential race is certain.

“I believe I can win a national election,” Palin told Newsweek. “The people of America are desperate for positive change, and deserving of positive change, to get us off of this wrong track.”

Since running as the Vice Presidential candidate in 2008, rumors have circulated that the former Alaska Governor intended to run for the presidency in 2012. In a previous interview, Palin’s daughter, Bristol, hinted that those rumors are true. Sarah Palin responded in Newsweek, saying, “I think Bristol has made up her mind, and Bristol wants me to run for president…but we’re still thinking about it. I’m still thinking about it.”

Palin’s political intentions could change the political spectrum and generate Republican momentum, particularly given her fundraising abilities and widespread popularity in the Tea Party movement.

“Thank goodness the field is not yet set,” Palin said. “I think that there does need to be more vigorous debate. There needs to be a larger field. And there’s still time. There’s still months ahead, where more folks can jump in and start articulating their positions.”

All things considered, the one true deciding factor is her family, Palin said.

“If it came down to the family just saying, ‘Please, Mom, don’t do this,’ then that would be the deal-killer for me, because your family’s gotta be in it with you.”

The Newsweek article can be read here.

Romney Raised Over $18 Million In Second Quarter

Mitt Romney raised $18.25 million in the second fundraising quarter, the former Massachusetts Governor’s Presidential campaign announced Wednesday morning.

“Voters are responding to Mitt Romney’s message that President Obama’s policies have failed and that we need new leadership in Washington,” Spencer Zwick, Romney’s National Finance Chairman, said in a statement. “Our fundraising for the second quarter represents the strong support Mitt Romney has across the country.”

The strong figure bolsters Romney’s reputation as the GOP frontrunner. Numbers released by Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Herman Cain and Ron Paul have failed to exceed $5 million. Rep. Michele Bachmann has not yet released her data.

The Romney campaign has reported that they will use the entirety of the contributions for the primary campaigns. They have thus far spent 31 percent of what they earned.

Cash on hand contributions amounted for $12.6 million.

Kissinger: Huntsman A Good Candidate

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger told bloggers this week that Jon Hunstman, the Obama administration’s last Ambassador to China who currently has his eye on the White House, is “a good candidate,” according to the Weekly Standard.

Kissinger, who is widely lauded for his role in opening diplomatic relations with China during the Nixon administration, called Hunstman, a Republican, “intelligent” and “well-poised,” adding that he performed well as an ambassador.

However, the well-known diplomat declined to offer a full endorsement, explaining that he would be interested in offering foreign policy advice to candidates, but not taking a partisan stance.

Huntsman, a former Governor of Utah, is expected to formally enter the Presidential race next week. He has ginned up skepticism among some Conservatives for expressing his belief that climate change is man made, supporting civil unions as Governor and, most importantly, simply being a member of the Obama administration.

Romney On Cloud Nine Following NH Debate

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has solidified his lead over a cluttered GOP presidential field following this week’s debate in New Hampshire.

According to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, Romney sits atop the field with 30 percent of likely conservative voters saying they’d chose him to replace President Obama. 

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who has yet to officially throw her hat into the race, trails Romney by 16 percentage points, but comes in second, raking in 14 percent support. 

Newt Gingrich, the former House Speaker, has taken a hit and has seen his numbers dwindle into the single digits, according to the poll. Gingrich held 11 percent support from likely conservative voters throughout April, but, following an untimely vacation to the Mediterranean and the departure of a number of his campaign staff members, Gingrich now sits at the six spot, with six percent. 

Gingrich trails Palin, pizza magnate Herman Cain, who holds 12 percent, and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) with seven percent. Surprisingly, trailing Romney, Palin and Cain is Texas Governor Rick Perry, raking in 8 percent support. 

The Texas governor has been rumored to be reconsidering jumping in the race and speculation rose after the Gingrich aides’ departure.