In a face-off between (announced) presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty and (presumed) candidate Michele Bachmann, the former governor is miles ahead of the congresswoman in the eyes of Minnesotans.
A new poll shows that 33 percent of likely Republican primary voters in Minnesota would vote for Pawlenty, compared to 14 percent who say they would vote for Bachmann, who's expected to announce her run later this month.
That's good news for Pawlenty, but not necessarily terrible news for Bachmann. The last time Public Policy Polling checked in with Minnesotans, almost six months ago, only 24 percent said they were supporting Pawlenty's presidential aspirations. At the same time, the poll found that GOPers have a high opinion of the Republican lightning rod: 68 percent have a favorable opinion of Bachmann, only slightly behind Pawlenty's favorability rating.
For what it's worth, in the eyes of Minnesotans, the Minnesota candidates are way ahead of the rest of the Republican field.
For the full poll results, click here.
