President 2012 GOP Watch: Majority of Republicans Cannot Name a Presidential Favorite

More than half of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 58%, do not express a preference when asked in an open-ended format — with no candidates’ names read — whom they are most likely to support for the party’s 2012 presidential nomination. Those who do have a preference most often mention Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann.

The July 7-10 poll result illustrates the uncertainty surrounding who the Republican challenger to President Barack Obama is likely to be in the 2012 presidential election. The high level of “no opinion” responses suggests that many Republicans are not highly engaged in the campaign to this point, and may be unclear about who is running. It also could indicate that Republicans who are familiar with the GOP field may not yet feel comfortable backing a particular candidate for the nomination.

So, what does this mean?

Most folks, unless they are pundits, are NOT focusing on the 2012 Presidential race. The top three candidates are without a doubt Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry. As time drifts towards Halloween and the debates start, voters will become more engaged and the GOP field will be set.

Now, whether the average American voter can name the candidates beside Obama, that may be another story.

Most people just don’t care.