WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney is back on top in a new Republican presidential poll, having beaten back a surge by rival Rick Perry and dodged a heavyweight challenge from Chris Christie.
Romney leads the field with 22 percent in a new Quinnipiac University poll, followed by businessman Herman Cain at 17 percent and Perry at 14 percent.
Perry’s numbers have dropped 10 percentage points since a Quinnipiac poll on Aug. 31, while Cain has shot up from just 5 percent and sixth place in the earlier poll.
“With Christie out of the race, Romney has some breathing room. Let’s see if the emerging Herman Cain has staying power,” said Peter Brown, who conducted the poll.
Romney leads President Obama in the survey, 46-42, while voters say Obama doesn’t deserve re-election by 54-42 — an uptick from the earlier poll.
When voters are asked about a two-man race between Romney and Perry, the former Massachusetts governor creams Texan Perry, 48-34.