That’s the implication of this poll highlighted by Hotline:

Pres. Obama trails a generic GOPer in a WH ’12 re-election bid, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released today. Among registered voters, fully half, 50%, said they were more likely to vote for a generic GOPer, while just 45% said they were more likely to vote for Obama.

It’s only 2010, and much can and will change before the 2012 election. But it’s a measure of how far the Republican Party has come that “any Republican” will do in the minds of voters right now.

However, the rub for Republicans is that not “any” Republican will be on the ballot; a specific one will. If they want to capitalize on a godlen opportunity, Republicans will need to choose wisely — selecting a standard-bearer who will consolidate, not alienate, the growing ranks of anti-Obama voters.