Bachmann leads in Iowa poll, Pawlenty tied for distant third

In the battle for the Republican nomination for president, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann edged out former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in a poll released this weekend of likely Republican Iowa caucus-goers.

TheIowaRepublican.com poll continues Bachmann’s ascent against Romney, who isn’t actively campaigning in the state. The Des Moines Register poll released in the last week of June showed Bachmann just one point behind Romney, which was well within the poll’s margin of error. In the newest edition of the Iowa Independent‘s presidential power rankings — which are based on the views of a panel made up of pundits, academics and journalists — Bachmann also came out on top.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has made more campaign stops in the state than anyone except former Sen. Rick Santorum, according to the Des Moines Register, is tied for third place. Pawlenty gained three points from the previous poll, but downplayed the results of such early polls on Sunday’s “Meet the Press.”

In the poll, which was released this weekend, 25 percent of respondents favored Bachmann; 21 percent supported Mitt Romney; nine percent each backed Pawlenty and Herman Cain; six percent supported Ron Paul; four percent backed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; two percent lined up behind former Santorum; and one percent supported former Utah Gov. John Huntsman. The poll had a 4.4 percent margin of error for each candidate’s numbers.

Bachmann also led the pack in favorability ratings, with 76 percent of respondents saying they had favorable impressions of her, and only 11 percent feeling unfavorable towards the candidate. Pawlenty’s favorability ratings were at 60 percent, with only 12 percent feeling unfavorable towards him.

The poll was commissioned by TheIowaRepublican.com and includes 500 interviews with likely Republican caucus-goers between June 26-30.