Bachmann, Romney Neck-and-Neck in Iowa Poll

By Caitlin Huey-Burns, RealClearPolitics

As Republican presidential candidates descend upon Iowa this week for a debate Thursday and the Ames Straw Poll on Saturday, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann holds a very narrow lead over the field, according to a new poll.

A Rasmussen Reports survey released Monday shows Bachmann with 22 percent support from likely Iowa caucus-goers and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with 21 percent. Texas Rep. Ron Paul rounds out the top three with 16 percent support. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is expected to launch his presidential campaign by the end of the month, garnered 12 percent; former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty sits behind him with 11 percent. None of the remaining candidates received more than 5 percent support. Notably, only 28 percent of respondents were certain about which candidate they would back, while the rest said they could still change their pick.

Romney is skipping this weekend’s straw poll in Ames, but his name will still appear on the ballot.