Not surprisngly, Newt is helped by Huckabee and/or Palin not running

Public Policy Polling did their usual Republican Primary poll, with former Governors Palin and Huckabee included, and the results were:

1. Mike Huckabee 18%

2. Mitt Romney 17%

3. Sarah Palin 16%

4. Newt Gingrich 14%

They then polled three other scenarios that may happen: the field without Huckabee, the field without Palin, and then the field without both Palin and Huckabee. (One of Palin/Huckabee not running seems very likely; both staying out is also a good possibility.)

Without just Huckabee:

1. Romney 20%

2. Palin 19%

3. Gingrich 18%

4. Ron Paul 12%

Without just Palin:

1. Huckabee 22%

2. Gingrich 20%

3. Romney 18%

4. Paul 9%

Without Huckabee and Palin both:

1. Romney and Gingrich 24%

3. Paul 12%

4. Tim Pawlenty 6%

5. Haley Barbour and Rick Santorum 5%

The poll found that if Palin chooses not to run, 35% of her supporters would back Gingrich and 19% would vote for Romney. With Huckabee out, 26% of his fans go to Newt with 23% going to the Romney camp.