Chuck Grassley wants David Petraeus to run for president

As an influential GOP leader in an early presidential primary state, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley is sure to be a key figure in the upcoming 2012 Republican presidential primary.

So it's worth noting that Grassley, despite overtures from hopefuls such as Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty, told the National Review that he wishes David Petraeus would run for president.

"I'll listen to anybody, but I wish that General Petraeus would get interested," Grassley says, adding that he'd escort him to "all 99 counties" in his state if he chose to run.

His comments come as a new Gallup poll finds Republican voters view Petraeus more favorably than other potential dark horses in the race, including Donald Trump and Chris Christie.

Petraeus, who is President Obama's chief commander of forces in Afghanistan, has repeatedly said he isn't interested in a White House run. More recently, he's been rumored as a possible candidate as the next CIA chief.

(Photo of Obama and Petraeus: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)