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Perry Surges To Big Lead in Georgia GOP Poll

None — Texas Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry joined the race less than a week ago, but he's way out in front in Georgia, according to newly-released poll numbers from Insideradvantage polling.

"Rick Perry has just come upon the scene," political analyst Matt Towery said. "I don't know if he's the flavor du jour or if he's the real thing,"

Insideradvantage polled 400 voters who are likely to vote in the republican presidential primary. Twenty-four percent of them chose Rick Perry as their top choice for the bid. He was followed by Herman Cain with 15 percent, Newt Gingrich with 9 percent and Michelle Bachman and Sarah Palin are tied at 8 percent.

Mitt Romney came in fifth place, followed by Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman. Towery said Perry is one of only two candidates appealing to Republican and Independent voters in Georgia.

"Herman Cain is the only candidate in Georgia who even comes within striking distance," Towery said. "I credit that to two things: He does well with independent voters, as well just like Perry, and also it's the power of the local media. He was on the radio for a long time, and people know who he is."

Towery said perceived front-runner Mitt Romney has not been able to capture the more conservative Republicans in Georgia so far, and added it's a mistake for former House Speaker Gingrich to be campaigning in Hawaii.

"The people in Georgia who really are activist Republicans are concerned that Newt Gingrich isn't serious about the race," he said.

Towery said that compared to 2008, Independent voters who don't call themselves Republicans or Democrats are much more conservative, even leaning more Libertarian.