Peter Brown, assistant director at the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute in Hamden, Conn.

FORBES: Abortion Poll Data Defined By Language Not Belief

Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said Weiner "jumps into the mix at 15 percent" because of high name recognition.

WSJ: Weiner gets 15 percent of Dem vote in NYC poll

But the survey by Quinnipiac University Polling Institute showed Mr Romney topped Barack Obama 47-40% in a possible 2012 contest, with Mr Obama beating Mr Perry 44-42%.

BBC: Rick Perry (left) and Mitt Romney

"Not all that many years ago the best people shied away from Sharpton, but he has remade himself and is still in the process, " said Maurice Carroll, who heads the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

CNN: Rev. Al Sharpton released from jail

Joining us to talk about the results is Peter Brown, assistant director of the polling institute at Quinnipiac University.

NPR: Political Junkie: Three Weeks to Pennsylvania