Perception of Science at War with Christianity, Huckabee in Early Lead

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- A newly released poll of Iowa GOP caucus goers from political consulting firm Strategic National puts Mike Huckabee in an early lead in the first caucus state, and also sheds some light on what caucus goers perceive is the conflict between Science and Faith.

When asked for which of the potential candidates they would most likely vote, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee received the largest share of the vote with 28%.  Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney came in second with 19%, and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin secured third place with 12.44%, narrowly edging out former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who received 12.20% of the vote.  About 18% of the respondents were undecided.

Gov. Mike Huckabee, Gov. Mitt Romney, Gov. Sarah Palin, Speaker Newt Gingrich,  Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Rep. Michele Bachmann, Sen. John Thune, Sen. Rick Santorum, and Gov. Haley Barbour were included on the poll. 

“Governor Huckabee has an early lead in the 1^st in the nation caucus state”, said John Yob, CEO of Strategic National.  “He is a frontrunner for the nomination if he chooses to run and people would be wise to take him very seriously.”

Caucus goers were also polled on perceptions of tension between science and Christianity’s accounts of the creation of the universe.  42% of responders feel that science and Genesis were in conflict, and 68% believe that the world was created in six days.  About 45% believe that the world is roughly 10,000 years old.

John Yob ran national political operations for John McCain in the Presidential Primaries in 2008 and served as Senior Advisor for Rick Snyder in Michigan and Sharron Angle in Nevada in 2010.

Strategic National surveyed a random sample of typical Iowa caucus goers.  The statewide, automated poll had a total of 410 respondents, 52% female and 48% male.  It was conducted on January 18, 2010, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.8%. 

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