Walker leads in Iowa poll; Christie lags

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has shot to the early lead of the Republican presidential field in Iowa, with 25 percent support of likely caucus-goers, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.

That's nearly double his closest competitor, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who has the support of 13 percent. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee each have 11 percent, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has 10 percent. No other candidate breaks 5 percent, and 9 percent say they are undecided.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie garnered the lowest favorability rating in the poll – 54 percent have a negative view of the combative governor, to 30 percent who have a positive view. Twenty six-percent say they would not consider voting for Christie at all.

Jeb Bush, the son and brother of former presidents, is viewed favorably by 41 percent, unfavorably by 40 percent, a net +1 that gives him the second lowest rating among Iowa Republicans. Twenty-six percent of the respondents say they would not consider Bush at all.

By contrast, Walker is viewed favorably by 57 percent, unfavorably by 7 percent. "A heck of a first impression," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll.

In the survey, 45 percent of those who said they would likely attend the caucuses next January, describe themselves as "very conservative."

Quinnipiac University interviewed 623 likely Iowa GOP caucus participants by phone from Feb. 16 to Feb. 23. Results are subject to a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

For more information on the poll.