Bobby Jindal

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, who is often the subject of speculation surrounding a possible 2012 presidential run, significantly trails Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in a recent survey of who Republican voters see as the frontrunner for 2012.

The Rasmussen poll, conducted the day after the election and released on Friday, showed that 64 percent of 1,000 likely Republican voters would support Palin over Romney, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist.

Romney came in third with 11 percent, behind Huckabee's 12 percent. Palin also leads Romney in favorability ratings amongst the Republicans in this survey. 

Check out the results after the jump.

Waiting in the wings? John McCain and Mitt Romney: Getty Images PhotoA National Journal survey of Republican insiders shows that former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Belmont) is by far and away the frontrunner for the 2012 presidential nomination should U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) lose in November.

55 percent of those polled said Romney is the most likely to win the 2012 nomination -- more votes than everyone else combined. "Nobody" placed second at 15 percent, with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 8 percent. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich were tied at 6 percent, and 2008 vice presidential nominee and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin scored 3 percent.

One Romney-leaning insider cited a built-in advantage for having run in 2008.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney is slated to speak Wednesday night during the Republican National Convention in two weeks, according to convention organizers.

Romney (R-Belmont) will speak on a night dedicated to "prosperity." "Wednesday's program will focus on John McCain's plans to get our economy back on track and continue our long tradition of meeting the challenges we face and using our prosperity to help others," the convention organizers said in a statement.

The former Bay State governor is widely considered to be on McCain's list of possible running mates in large part because of his economic credentials as the former CEO of Bain and Company, and founder of Bain Capital.

There are number of political taboos -- too many to count, probably. One would be not to joke about Al Qaeda monitoring C-SPAN, and another would be to stay away from touching on race when criticizing folks.