Rudy (?!) Leads CNN Poll

How unhappy are Republicans with their 2012 hopefuls? Well, let’s put it this way: The guy leading the latest CNN poll doesn’t even appear to be running. Rudy Giuliani topped the field with 16% of the vote, followed closely by Mitt Romney at 15% and Sarah Palin at 13%. Giuliani has said he’s considering a run, but an adviser says he’s not taking any active steps toward it, unless you count some recent appearances in New Hampshire.

But hizzoner shouldn’t get too excited yet. “Giuliani has the top spot,” says a pollster, “but he doesn’t generate a lot of enthusiasm.” Indeed none of the candidates do. Only about a quarter of voters say they’d be excited if Giuliani won the nomination, which puts him roughly even with Palin, and slightly ahead of Romney. Right behind Palin in overall polling was Ron Paul at 12%, followed by Herman Cain at 10%, Newt Gingrich at 8%, Michele Bachmann at 7%, and Tim Pawlenty at 5%. (The new Gallup poll has Romney and Palin on top.)