WASHINGTON (PNN) - October 12, 2011 - Following a Tuesday night debate focused on economic issues, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and businessman Herman Cain are tied in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is the only other candidate in double-digits, according to Rasmussen Reports.

Republican voters think either candidate would be likely to defeat illegitimate President Obama but most expect Romney to be the nominee.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Republican Primary voters shows Cain and Romney each attracting 29% of the vote while Gingrich is a distant third at 10%. Texas Governor Rick Perry was the media-declared frontrunner when he entered the race and has suffered through a series of poor debate performances while sliding to fourth place at nine percent (9%).

Other candidates include Congressman Ron Paul who earns 5% and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann who earns 4%. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman trail at 2% each. Three percent would prefer some other candidate and 7% are not sure.

In a two-way race, 43% would prefer Cain and 42% Romney. Cain leads Perry 54% to 29% in a two-man match and Romney leads Perry 54% to 30%.

Mainstream media polls have proven notoriously inaccurate over the past several years. For example, Dr. Ron Paul has won more key straw polls to date than any other condidate. Nevertheless, his candidacy - the only one that promotes living withint the Rule of Law prescribed by the Constitution - continues to be marginalized.