Heading into the latest GOP debate, Saturday, leading political polls show a multitude of results regarding relevant GOP primary candidates.
CBS, the news agency hosting this latest debate, reported on Friday that Herman Cain was the top Republican contender with 18% approval of likely voters, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich are tied for second with 15% and Texas Governor Rick Perry in third with 8%.
Gallup shows, as of November 6, Cain and Romney tied for the top spot among GOP contenders with 21%, Gingrich with 12% and Perry rounding it off with 11%.
Gallup also shows President Obama catching up to a generic Republican candidate in the polls. Obama has 42% of voters likely to choose him compared to 43% for any Republican contender. This is up from 38% for Obama and 46% for a Republican in October.
Rasmussen shows Cain at 26%, Romney at 23%, Gingrich has 14% and Perry again rounding out the group at 8%. Rasmussen also has Obama at 42% and a generic Republican at 46%.
Lastly, Quinnipiac shows Cain at 27%, Romney at 21%, Gingrich at 17% and Perry at 5%. This report also shows Obama on about even ground with Romney in the swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, and holding a slight edge over Cain.
These polls also covered the rest of the GOP hopefuls, including Conservatives Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum, fringe candidate Ron Paul and the relatively unknown John Huntsman, but their relevance at this point is nil.