Romney, Bachmann Lead Iowa Poll

POLITICO reports:

The numbers are out from the first Des Moines Register poll of the cycle, and they codify what is becoming conventional wisdom - Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann are rising, and Tim Pawlenty is facing a real uphill battle.

From the AP:

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann sit atop the standings in the year's first Des Moines Register Iowa Poll on the Republican presidential field.

Romney, the national front-runner and a familiar face in Iowa after his 2008 presidential run, attracts support from 23 percent of likely Republican caucus-goers. Bachmann, who will officially kick off her campaign in Iowa on Monday, nearly matches him, with 22 percent.