Republican contenders lagging in early 2012 poll

There's another very early read on the potential Republican presidential field for 2012, and it's not very encouraging for them.

The USA Today/Gallup poll released today found that three high-profile former governors with their own followings -- Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, and Sarah Palin of Alaska -- lead the pack among Republicans questioned.

But the worrisome finding for the GOP is that among all Americans, the poll found that no candidate was able to get a majority to say they would seriously consider voting for him or her for president.

Here are the numbers: 71 percent of Republicans but only 40 percent of all respondents said they would seriously consider voting for Huckabee, who ran last year and now has a talk show on Fox News Channel; 65 percent of Republicans and 39 percent of all Americans said they would consider Romney, who also ran last year; and 65 percent of Republicans but only 33 percent overall said they would seriously consider Palin, the GOP vice presidential candidate last year.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour drew even less support.