Newsweek analyzes Iowa and Romney's chances

Mitt Romney is the "top choice" among Iowa Republican voters, says Newsweek magazine. However, less than half of that state's GOP members think the country is ready "to elect a Mormon president."

Iowa is a crucial state in the presidential race because it holds the first caucus of the 2008 election, scheduled for Jan. 14.

Romney's race for the presidency and his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are featured in the lead story of the issue of Newsweek now available. Although dated Oct. 8, the magazine is already on the newsstands and the article is posted online at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032542/site/ newsweek.

A Newsweek poll conducted Sept. 29 in Iowa says that among Democrats, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has a 6-point lead over her chief opponent, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Romney "has emerged as the Republican front-runner both statewide and among caucusgoers," the article adds.

Altogether, 55 percent of Iowa's GOP voters have a positive view of him.

Among those likely to vote in the Republican caucus, 59 percent have a "mostly favorable" view of him while 19 percent have a "very favorable" impression. The article adds, "But less than half of them (45 percent) think the country is ready to elect a Mormon president."