On January 3, Wichita CBS affiliate KWCH commissioned a SurveyUSA poll among Kansas voters about the 2012 election.  This was released on the same day as the Iowa caucus, and was before the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries.

Two questions were asked to registered voters in Kansas (emphasis added):

1. “Which Republican has the best chance to beat Barack Obama in the general election in November? Mitt Romney? Newt Gingrich? Michele Bachmann? Ron Paul? Rick Perry? Or, Rick Santorum?”
2. “Which Republican candidate would Obama have the easiest time beating?”

Some demographic breakdown of the poll’s sample:

• 57% Republicans, 22% Democrats, and 20% Independents
• 41% conservative, 42% moderate, 13% liberal
• 86% white, 4% black, 6% Hispanic, 4% other
• 19% described themselves as a Tea Party member, 76% did not
• 56% under age 50, and 44% over age 50.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Texas Gov. Rick Perry had not yet withdrawn from the race, so they were included in the results.

Overall, Mitt Romney was viewed to be the most likely to beat Barack Obama.  Mitt Romney received 38% of this vote, Newt Gingrich received 15%, and Ron Paul received 14%.

Every demographic except Tea Party members said that Romney was the most likely to beat Obama in November.  Tea Party members viewed Bachmann as the most likely (27%), with Romney getting 22% and Gingrich also getting 22% of the vote.

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