A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday shows Sarah Palin slipping in the public eye when it comes to the Republican Party's 2012 nomination.

Forty-nine percent of Republicans said they would support Palin--"a huge 18-point drop since December of 2008, when two-thirds of GOPers said they were likely to support Palin," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "It also puts her well behind potential rivals Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, and a bit behind Newt Gingrich as well." 

It appears the tide has turned since 2008--two-thirds of Republicans now say they would support former Arkansas governor and 2008 GOP presidential candidate Huckabee as the 2012 nominee.

Huckabee is heavily weighing another run for the White House, as is former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

The survey shows 59 percent of Republicans saying they're likely to suppot Romney as the 2012 nominee. Fifty-four percent said they would support former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Palin has yet to officially confirm a bid for the White House, but she often alludes to it.

During her nationwide Tea Party Express tour, Palin hinted at a 2012 run.

"Mr. Obama, you’re next, because now we can see 2012 from our house," she said.

A recent Time magazine cover story on Palin explores whether the Mama Grizzly wants to be president or just a celebrity:

A presidential candidate used to need a central headquarters and satellite offices in all the early primary states; now all a contender like Palin needs is a cable modem. Working largely from her lakeside house in Wasilla, Alaska, Palin raised millions of dollars, produced three viral Internet videos and endorsed more than seven dozen Republican candidates (most of whom prevailed).  

At the same time, however, she worked more on her profile than on her platform, releasing her second best-selling book in two years and starring in her own cable television series and in the process putting as much as $13 million in the bank. Palin has been particularly adroit at keeping her name front and center on both stages, whether jabbing Washington Republicans for their pork-barrel spending or turning up in Hollywood to watch her daughter Bristol advance to the final round of Dancing with the Stars.

Several high profile Republicans including Karl Rove and Ann Coulter have been outspoken in their disapproval or doubt of Palin's ability to represent the party in the White House.

Former Bush administration official Peter Wehner said, "Virtually every time Ms. Palin speaks out, she reinforces some of the worst impressions or deepest concerns many of us have about her. If she were to become the voice and representative of the GOP and the modern conservatism movement, both would suffer a massive rejection."

The CNN poll does have some good news for Democrats, however.

Seventy-eight percent of Democrats said they would support Obama as the party's 2012 nominee.

"Among liberal Democrats, 85 percent say they want to see the party re-nominate Obama in 2012," Holland said. "Among moderate Democrats, his support is almost that high."