Voters Surveyed Are Cold To The Idea Of Santorum For President

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Rick Santorum may have his sights set on a presidential run, but a new survey of voters finds he might not want to shoot so high.

Santorum hasn't declared his intentions for any office in 2012, but the latest Public Policy Poll shows he has a wide lead over other names in the GOP mix to take on Pennsylvania Democrat Bob Casey for his US senate seat.

"45 percent of Republicans in the state say Santorum is their top choice," says poll director Tom Jensen. "The next closest person, Congressman Jim Gerlach, is only at nine percent."

Jensen says if the two-term senator doesn't try to reclaim that position from Casey, the race is wide open among Republicans, with Gerlach, former governor Mark Schweiker, and Lehigh Valley congressman Charlie Dent all neck-and-neck.

But, when it comes to commander-in-chief, Santorum performs poorly in this poll of Pennsylvanians.

"He finishes fifth place with 11 percent. That puts him behind Mike Huckabee, who leads the state with 21 percent."

Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, and Mitt Romney also fare better, though we've heard only hints that each might run.

Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio