Presidential Poll Puts Herman Cain Way Ahead

The poll conducted on Thursday asked voters likely to vote in next year’s Georgia Republican presidential primary which candidate they would chose.

Cain, a businessman and former talk show host, held a large lead with 26 percent, double the second candidate, Michele Bachmann.

"I'm surprised at the level that Herman Cain is leading the rest of the pack. I'm not surprised by the fact that he's leading. He's been in Atlanta. He's been on the radio,” said Matt Towery, CEO of InsiderAdvantage.

“Herman Cain's performance does show two things. One, there is a certain degree of hometown support for him, and secondly, there's a degree of support from people who are disaffected and don't want anything to do with politicians who held office,” Towery told Channel 2’s Lori Geary.

Following Cain and Bachman in the poll is former Speaker Of the House Newt Gingrich, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. The poll of 407 people has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percent.

“Newt Gingrich has not had a big presence in Georgia since the 1990s, so it's understandable he's not going to be leading the pack,” Towery said.

Cain could face some difficult challenges in future debates against career politicians, especially because of his support of the Fair Tax, according to Towery.

“Cain is able to bring excitement to the table. The Republican Party is lackluster right now. You hear all the criticism about none of these Republicans being standouts,” Towery told Geary.

Towery said the Georgia primary could play a big role in who wins the Republican nomination. "Georgia and several other large states could decide who wins the nomination.

"We certainly have the opportunity to be one of the first states after Florida,” Towery said.