GOP 2012 primary resembles Dems in 2003

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PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The changes in favorites among Republican U.S. 2012 presidential contenders is similar to those in the 2003 contest for Democratic hopefuls, Gallup said.

So far in the 2012 election cycle, the leader of the GOP nominating race has change seven times among former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Georgia businessman Herman Cain (who suspended his campaign amid persistent allegations of sexual misconduct) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Gallup said Monday.

In the run-up to the 2004 presidential election, Democratic preferences changed hands nine times among U.S. congressional members Joe Lieberman, John Kerry, unannounced candidate Tom Daschle, Dick Gephardt, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark before Kerry took control and became the eventual party nominee.

The Princeton, N.J., polling agency said the 2012 presidential campaign is the first since 1964 that the Republican Party has had so many candidates in serious contention for the nomination.

Iowa caucuses Tuesday mark a shift from the preliminary phase to actual voting that could lead to more swings in preference before the GOP nomination is settled, Gallup said.