Romney Still Comfortably Ahead in New Hampshire

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney continues to hold a comfortable lead in the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, according to a poll released yesterday by the American Research Group.

Romney, who polled 29 percent, maintains a 17-point lead over U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, his closest rival.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who’s considering a late entry into the crowded Republican field, finished third in the poll with nine percent, followed by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin — another undeclared candidate — at eight percent.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich placed fifth in the survey with seven percent followed by former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty at five percent.

The survey of 600 likely GOP primary voters, conducted July 9-13, shows Texas congressman Ron Paul and radio talk show host and former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain locked at four percent apiece.  Paul, who announced earlier this week that he wouldn’t be seeking another term in Congress next year, was polling twice that amount in a similar poll conducted in April.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who’s mulling a possible bid for his party’s nomination, and former two-term U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum were tied at two percent, while Jon Huntsman, the former governor of Utah and ex-ambassador to China, and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, failed to poll even one percent of the vote.

The American Research Group poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent.