• Listen to this segment

• Listen to the entire program

A mound of hats have been tossed into the GOP ring for the 2012 Presidential primary and favorites are beginning to emerge. A Quinnipac poll of registered voters released yesterday asked participants who would have their vote if elections were held today. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney came in first among his rivals with 25% support. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann jumped-up in popularity over the last month, going from sixth to second place, with 14% support among participants. However neither candidate garnered more support than President Obama in a hypothetical general election match-up. Bachmann, Congresswoman from Minnesota, is a media favorite for her many gaffes, but also a tea party star with a loyal following. Romney is back courting his party’s vote after a failed 2008 attempt, and has the most money, in addition to a steadily improving image. Also trying for a redo is Texas Congressman Ron Paul, whose most notable act to date was announcing on Tuesday that he will not seek reelection to the Congress to focus on his Presidential bid. Newt Gingrinch has been a headline grabber in the race, though for all the wrong reasons. Almost upon announcing his run, he was slammed for criticizing his own party, and soon after became the subject of a viral video when a gay-rights activist threw glitter confetti on him during a book signing. Then, in mid-June Gingrich’s campaign imploded when his senior level campaign staff resigned en masse just as their candidate returned from a two-week vacation cruise to Greece. Since their debut debate the candidates have attacked the President far more than each other, but they are under plenty of pressure from members of their far-right base. A bevy of interest groups have been circulating “pledges” for Republicans to sign, forcing alignment with, or alienation from, conservative ideology.

GUEST: Andy Kroll, reporter for Mother Jones Magazine. Andy’s work has appeared at The Wall Street Journal, SportsIllustrated.com, The Detroit News, Salon, and TomDispatch.com, where he’s an associate editor. He is based in DC.