Voters are also divided on the current Republican frontrunner, Texas Governor Rick Perry. While 36% say Perry’s views can be best described as being mainstream, 36% consider him extreme. Another 28% are undecided. Perry is on top in recent polls of the GOP race, but none have yet been conducted since he participated in his first debate last night.
On balance, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is seen as closer to the mainstream than either President Obama or the GOP frontrunner. Currently, 48% who categorize Romney’s views as mainstream while just 26% say extreme and another 26% are not sure. Those numbers have shifted little from last year.