Poll: Perry, Giuliani would be credible

PRINCETON, N.J., July 20 (UPI) -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be credible players in the 2012 Republican U.S. presidential race if they run, Gallup said.

Perry is recognized by 55 percent of Republicans and has a positive intensity score of 21 while Giuliani is recognized by 86 percent and has a positive intensity score of 20, results released Wednesday indicate.

Neither Perry nor Giuliani has made an official announcement about entering the GOP race, although both said they are considering it, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said.

Despite persistent talk about his presidential plans, fewer Republicans recognize Perry than recognize former Alaska Gov. and 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, 2008 presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Reps. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Ron Paul of Texas. Perry, however, is already known by as many Republicans nationally as announced candidate Tim Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor, and has higher name recognition than former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, businessman Herman Cain and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.

Despite national exposure he had as mayor of New York following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and a 2008 GOP presidential bid, Giuliani lacks universal name recognition, Gallup said.

Results are based on telephone interviews conducted as part of Gallup Daily tracking July 4-17 with samples of adult Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. Each candidate was rated by a minimum of 1,500 Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.