It’s kind of like Christmas when I hear about a new political poll coming out!  Instead of just cutting and pasting a few sentences from the poll to be the first one to break the news, I like to take a little time to “savor” the poll – and then let my readers know my thoughts.

Our friends at Public Policy Polling (PPP) have released a couple new polls with Montana ties.  One is a GOP Presidential poll that shows Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann leading Mitt Romney (that is if Sarah Palin stays off the ballot in 2012).

You can read about the poll HERE.

If Sarah Palin comes out to play, then she leads GOPers Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, and Mitt Romney in Big Sky Country.

That last sentence should be a key for every Montana Republican running for state-wide office.  At the top of their “To Do” list they should write:  1. Get Sarah Palin’s endorsement.  2. Get her to come to Montana to campaign for me.  

And, if that does not do it for those GOPers running for office, then the 72% favorable opinion of Palin should get some notice by those candidates needing some help in Big Sky Country.  By the way, Bachmann comes in at 50%.

Of course, I believe if Palin jumps into the GOP Presidential race, her favorable ratings will go down some and her clout might not be that powerful.  We will probably see that with Michele Bachmann as the “honeymoon” ends for her in a few weeks as voters get to know her.  Bachmann is already suffering some because she can’t answer the question about the farm subsidies received by her family farm.

Back in August 2010, I wrote that Palin’s “endorsement would be gold to ultra-conservative candidates…”

It still is – and it will continue to be gold as long as Palin stays out of the Presidential race and plays “king-maker.”

Whoever the GOP Presidential candidate is, they will win Montana (barring a well-known third-party candidate like 1992’s Ross Perot taking some votes).  McCain stayed away from Montana like it had the cooties in 2008, and still won the state by three points.

The other poll that was recently released by PPP tells us that “All Republican contenders have the edge over Obama.”  You can read about that poll HERE.

If Mitt Romney puts any staff on the ground in Montana, they can use this line from the poll to promote their man: “Mitt Romney performs strongest, leading Obama 49-41.”  Bachmann is up 48-42, Herman Cain 46-41, and Sarah Palin 48-44.

Everyone’s a winner…except Obama in Montana, but the fun hasn’t even begun yet!

Do what the media and candidates do:  Follow Jack on Twitter!  Receive up to the minute comments from Jack about politics, sports, the media, and current events by following Jack on Twitter @TheWesternWord.