Poll Shows Herman Cain Leads with Female Independent & Republican Voters

By Jillian Petrus, Reporter

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By Ian Philbrick

Story Created: Nov 18, 2011 at 12:03 AM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2011 at 12:03 AM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa- The KCRG-Gazette-Iowa State University poll of more than 1200 registered Iowa voters came out Thursday.

Three candidates took nearly two-thirds of the overall vote.

Herman Cain was at the top, with 24.5 percent. Not far behind, Texas Representative Ron Paul. Mitt Romney took about 16 percent. All other candidates polled in the single digits. When asked for a second choice, voters picked “can’t decide” more than 20 percent of the time, leaving a large gap of uncertainty in the race.

In a somewhat surprising twist, Herman Cain polled better among women than other candidates in the poll. The results gathered during rampant criticism of Cain for sexual harassment allegations made against him in the 90’s.

Cathy Grawe is a registered republican and Herman Cain supporter. She’s met Cain twice in person and says both times she was very impressed with him.

“In his heart, I know he’d make intelligent decisions good decisions,” Grawe said. The Coralville grandmother says she was not swayed by the allegations telling us she believes it’s mostly just politics.

“They’ve seen enough character assassination to know you have to take everything with a grain of salt,” she says.

Not everyone is convinced Cain can shake the allegations and capture independent and undecided voters.

“I just don’t think he could really, because it isn’t a good thing to hear about him,” said Yvonne Theel, a democrat from Marion.

“I think it’s going to be harder for women, because it’s a more sensitive issue,” said Angie Johnson also from Marion and a democrat.

But Grawe says she firmly believes, if Cain can make it through the caucuses, the allegations might take a back seat to his economic policies.

“As little traction as it’s gotten,” said Grawe, “I tend to think it won’t come back up again.”

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