Poll: Perry leading on electability

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry is leading his Republican primary opponents when it comes to electability, a CNN poll suggests.

The CNN/ORC International Poll, conducted during the weekend, found 30 percent of Republicans, as well as independents who lean toward the GOP, support Perry for the GOP nomination. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has the support of 18 percent of voters. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has 15 percent, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas has 12 percent and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota has 4 percent.

The poll, released ahead of Monday night's Tea Party Express debate in Florida, said 42 percent of those questioned chose Perry as the candidate most likely to be able to defeat President Obama in the general election, CNN said Monday.

CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said Perry's support comes mostly from Republicans who support the tea party movement.

The poll, conducted Sept. 9-11, included 446 Republicans and independents who lean Republican. The survey's overall sampling error is 4.5 percentage points.