Poll: Gingrich's image slides within GOP

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PRINCETON, N.J., June 1 (UPI) -- Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich's image took a hit among Republicans and now is among the lowest for presidential hopefuls being tracked, Gallup said.

Gingrich's Positive Intensity Score dropped to 6 in the most recent polling period, down from 11 in the previous tracking period, results released Tuesday indicated.

Gingrich's Positive Intensity Score is based on the difference between the 13 percent of Republicans giving him a strongly favorable rating and the 7 percent giving him a strongly unfavorable rating, among those who recognize him.

The Georgia Republican's score was slightly above former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson's 4, the lowest for anyone tested, and slightly below former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman's 8.

Businessman Herman Cain and Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., earned the highest Positive Intensity Scores, at 25 and 21, respectively, results indicated. Several other candidates registered Positive Intensity Scores in the 14-16 range, including former Govs. Sarah Palin of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, as well as former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews conducted as part of Gallup Daily tracking May 16-29 with random samples of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. Each candidate was rated by a minimum of 1,500 Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. The margin of error overall was 3 percentage points, and the Positive Intensity Score margin of error varied depending on the size of the group recognizing the candidate.