We knew this was true, but here are some numbers, from a McClatchey–Marist poll conducted this month. CNN (h/t Tbogg; my emphasis):
A new national poll shows an improvement in how Americans see the direction of the country, and puts President Obama in better standing against potential 2012 rivals. ...There's more data in the article, including right track–wrong track info. Let the run-up begin.
The poll showed President Obama now holding a 51-38 percent lead over Mitt Romney in a hypothetical 2012 match-up. In their December survey, Romney was leading Obama 46-44 percent.
The Marist poll has Obama up 50-38 percent on Mike Huckabee, up from a 47-43 percent lead a month ago. And the survey has Obama ahead by 26 points over Sarah Palin, 56-30 percent. He led Palin by a narrower 52-40 percent margin in the December poll.
GP
