The first day of fall has passed, and the 2012 Republican Tea Party (GOTP) race for the White House, and who will eventually rise to the top of the heap, is becoming a more anticipated event than the arrival of the Great Pumpkin.

According to a CNN/Opinion Research poll conducted between 23 – 25 September, Reverend Ricky Perry is maintaining his lead over Mittens and the other out casts. If it all ended today Ricky would be the GOTP nominee:

Perry 28, Mittens Romney 21, Newt Gingrich 10, Ron Paul 7, Sarah “Ice Queen” Palin 7, Herman “Pizza Man” Cain 7, Michele “Krazy” Bachmann 4, Ricky Santorum 3 and Jon Huntsman 1…

Reverend Ricky’s lead over Mittens appears to be widening this week in spite of a dismal performance in last week’s debate; Newter has suddenly come roaring back, and Paul and Palin round out the middle of the sandwich along with Cain; Krazy has dropped to a mere blip on the political radar while Santorum and Huntsman continue to trail dismally behind, and Gary Johnson is nowhere to be seen or heard from, and hopefully he’s done.

There’s been no new polling in Iowa, but Rasmussen Reports has some new data from New Hampshire; according to the latest polls numbers available:

In Iowa – according to Rasmussen Reports – Perry holds first place with 29; Bachmann moves to 18, Mitt 17; Paul 14; Cain 4, Santorum 4, Huntsman 3 and Gingrich 2…

In New Hampshire – Rasmussen Reports: Mitt 39; Rev Ricky 18; Paul 13; Huntsman 7; Krazy 5; Cain and Gingrich 4…

According to a new CNN/Opinion Research poll, if the general election were held today:

President Obama 51/Perry 46

Others in the CNN/Opinion Research:

President Obama 49/Romney 48

President Obama 51/Paul 47

President Obama 54/Bachmann 42

President Obama 58/ Palin 37

According to these latest poll numbers no one really cares about these guys:

President Obama /Cain

President Obama /Gingrich

President Obama/Huntsman

President Obama /Santorum

So, if the GOTP nomination circus – and the general election – had both ended this week, Reverend Ricky would be the GOTP candidate, and he would have lost by as much as five (5) points to President Obama.

While Romney would be the best pick for the GOTP, it’s not clear if that will ever happen at this point in political time. For now, Perry is still the bright shining object in the eyes of the adoring Tea Party.