Minnesotans easily backed President Barack Obama in the last election, but a new poll shows he could struggle to win the Land of 10,000 Lakes in 2012.

A poll released Thursday by Minnesota Public Radio and the Humphrey Institute shows that Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have the best shot at toppling Obama.

Even though neither has committed to running, Romney is within 7 percent of winning and T-Paw is 9 percentage points out.

Obama would crush Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann or former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin by at least 20 percentage points.

Minnesotans are evenly split on the president's job performance, 48 percent approve and the same number of respondents do not.

Minnesota's congressional representatives shouldn't feel insulated from voters' wrath.

Half of likely Minnesota voters are looking for someone new to represent them in Congress, the survey found.

The poll surveyed 750 likely Minnesota voters between last Wednesday and Sunday. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.1 percentage points.