The data in the new NBC/Marist poll certainly gives some interesting glimpses of the Republican primary field in advance of Tuesday’s winner-take-all vote in Florida.
A few details that stand out:
In head-to-head general election hypotheticals
- Obama 49% – Romney 41%
- Obama 52% – Gingrich 35%
- Obama 50% – Paul 36%
- Obama 50% – Santorum 35%
Among likely Republican voters Tuesday:
- Romney 40%
- Gingrich 26%
- Santorum 15%
- Paul 10%
2nd choice among likely voters:
- Romney 27%
- Santorum 28%
- Gingrich 25%
- Paul 9%
Who likely voters like least:
- Paul 50%
- Gingrich 23%
- Santorum 10%
- Romney 8%
Romney also leads the field in acceptability (62% acceptable and 26% acceptable with reservations).
Plus, 55% of likely voters preferred a quick nomination process over an extended one.
This is all obviously good news for Romney. Except, of course, for the November matchup.