Politics | Public Policy Polling Huckabee Tied With Obama in 2012 Poll Fox host polls stronger than any other Republican hopeful By Kevin Spak Posted Dec 11, 2009 8:07 AM CST Copied Former Arkansas Gov., and 2008 Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee speaks at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, Ark., Monday, Dec. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) Mike Huckabee would give Barack Obama a run for his money if an election were held today; he’s just 1% behind the commander in chief in a new Public Policy Polling survey. Among the 1,253 surveyed, 46% said they’d back Obama, 45% Huckabee. Despite the heat he took from granting clemency to cop killer Maurice Clemmons, the former Arkansas governor scored better than any other potential Republican candidate. Mitt Romney trailed 42% to 49% and Sarah Palin 44% to 50%. Tim Pawlenty fared poorest, trailing Obama 35% to 48%. But that’s probably in part because Pawlenty has poorer name recognition than his competitors; 64% had no opinion of him. The poll came just after Clemmons, who was freed after Huckabee reduced his life sentence, allegedly shot four police officers, but Huckabee’s favorability rating dropped just one point to 35%. Read These Next A Cape Cod car theft didn't go as planned. Leno says people are shocked that he's doing the right thing. After bill defeat, House GOP warns members against skipping votes. Elizabeth Smart tells her harrowing story like never before. Report an error