Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

GOP Candidates Hardly Household Names

Interest and Coverage On Par with 2008 Campaign

October 5, 2011

As in previous Republican presidential campaigns, most Americans (54%) are able to name at least one of the GOP candidates unprompted. However, smaller percentages can name the leading candidates than in previous Republican races.

Just 28% can name Texas Gov. Rick Perry and 27% can name former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. At this point in the race four years ago, Rudy Giuliani was far better known; 45% could name the former New York City mayor unprompted. And, at this stage in the 2000 and 1996 Republican campaigns, far more named George W. Bush (54%) and Bob Dole (51%) than can recall the name of any of the current Republican candidates. Herman Cain, who has surged in some recent polls, can be named by 9% of the public.

Read the full report for more details from the News Interest Index survey covering last week. The report includes comparisons of interest in this year's presidential campaign to the last campaign, in which both parties had competitive nomination races.