Poll finds Cain leading GOP; Romney, Gingrich tied for second

A survey published Friday by CBS News found that among Republican presidential candidates, former businessman Herman Cain has become the clear frontrunner, with former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich tied, nipping at Cain's heels.

Despite Cain's emergence as the party's top choice at the moment, seven in 10 Republican voters still remain uncommitted, the poll found.

Cain reportedly leads the pack with 18 percent of primary voters, versus Romney and Gingrich each tied at 15.

Surprisingly, a full 61 percent of Republican voters said they were not troubled by the numerous sexual harassment allegations against Cain. Those claims are greater in number and severity than allegations against President Bill Clinton during his second term in office, when Republicans led the charge to impeach him over his sexual impropriety.

The allegations have, however, made women more wary of Cain, dropping his support among women from 28 percent in Oct. to just 15 percent now. In all, 38 percent of Republican women said they would be less likely to support Cain because of the allegations.

Those most unmoved by the sexual harassment claims were Republicans who identified with the tea parties, with 71 percent saying the allegations made no difference.

Photo: Flickr user Robert Huffstutter.