The numbers favor Santorum, but most think Mitt will be the eventual nominee. | AP Photos Poll: GOP against brokered convention

By a better than 2-to-1 margin, Republicans say they oppose a brokered convention that would pick a new candidate at the last minute, according to a poll out Monday.

Although over half of Republicans, or 55 percent, say they wish someone else was in the running for the nomination, 66 percent want one of the four candidates to secure enough delegates to avoid a brokered convention, the USA Today/Gallup Poll found. Just 29 percent of the Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say a brokered convention with a brand new candidate would be a better option.


Meanwhile, 57 percent say the long, contentious Republican race isn’t hurting the party.

Rick Santorum currently stands as the favorite, with a 55 percent to 44 percent lead over Mitt Romney in a one-on-one contest. Still, most think Romney will become the nominee, with just 13 percent saying he won’t secure the nomination. Over half, or 54 percent, say it’s somewhat likely Romney will be the Republican nominee and 31 percent say it’s very likely.

Overall, 44 percent say they are pleased with the candidates they have to choose from this cycle.

The poll surveyed 1,014 adults Feb. 16-19. The margin of error is plus or minus 6 percentage points.