More registered voters say they would definitely vote for Mitt Romney or might consider doing so (62%) than say the same about his two main rivals in the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama (54%) and Republican Rick Perry (53%).

Though Romney currently receives the highest level of consideration among voters, more say they would “definitely vote for” Obama (33%) than say this about either Romney (21%) or Perry (20%). That may reflect the virtual certainty that Obama will be the Democratic candidate for president, while Republicans’ loyalties are divided between their two leading contenders.

That dynamic is apparent in the higher percentage of Democratic registered voters who say they definitely would vote for Obama (70%) than of Republican registered voters who would definitely vote for either of the main Republican contenders (41% for Perry and 44% for Romney). Once the Republican nominee is decided, the percentage of Republicans who say they would definitely vote for that candidate should increase significantly.

But, it all means nothing for Mitt Romney, unless he can win in the early Republican primary elections/caucuses. But, Mitt will certainly use this poll in tonight’s debate to show his elecability in contrast to Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has a small lead over the Republican presidential pack in Florida with 28 percent, followed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with 22 percent, but Perry tops Romney 31 – 22 percent if Sarah Palin doesn’t run and leads Romney 46 – 38 percent in a two- man face-off, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Romney has barely moved since he led the Florida GOP pack with 23 percent in an August 4 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, while Perry has surged from 13 percent in that survey conducted before he formally announced his candidacy.

All Florida voters disapprove 57 – 39 percent of the job President Barack Obama is doing, his worst score in any Quinnipiac University poll in any state.

In possible 2012 presidential matchups, Romney tops the president 47 – 40 percent while Perry gets 42 percent to Obama’s 44 percent, a dead heat. In the August 4 Florida poll, Romney and Obama were deadlocked 44 – 44 percent while the president led Perry 44 – 39 percent.

Obama does not deserve a second term, Florida voters say 53 – 41 percent.

“Gov. Rick Perry has the lead – and the momentum – among Florida Republicans, while former Gov. Mitt Romney can point to a better general election showing,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

I think this poll lags in measuring momentum as the polls in Arizona and New Hampshire show Romney leading. Yesterday’s national Rasmussen Poll also shows an upside to Mitt Romney.

Tonight’s debate is critical for Rick Perry. If he fails to do well like, the last one on September 12, he will be wounded – not out, but severely wounded. In fact, this may open the door to other candidates to enter the field, like Sarah Palin and/or Chris Christie.

Most of the difference between how Romney and Perry run against President Obama is among independent voters. The president leads Perry 42 – 36 percent among Florida independents, while Romney tops the president 44 – 35 percent among the same group.

“This finding is consistent with Quinnipiac University polls in other states and re-enforces Perry’s need to improve his standing with independent voters,” said Brown.