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Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney may well be the emerging front-runner heading into Tuesday's Iowa caucuses, according to a new poll of Hawkeye State Republicans likely to participate in the contest.
Romney enjoys a slight advantage over Texas Rep. Ron Paul, according to a CNN/TIME poll released Wednesday; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who's been pummeled by ads in the state, has fallen to fourth -- behind former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
Romney also enjoys a commanding lead over other Republican candidates in New Hampshire.
Twenty-five percent of likely caucus-goers said they would choose Romney. Paul was the choice of 22 percent, while 16 percent named Santorum, and 14 percent named Gingrich. Eleven percent said they would support Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and nine percent back Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, the winner of August's straw poll.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who's not competing in the state, ranks as the choice of one percent of Iowa Republicans.
The polls reflect shifting political terrain in Iowa since the release of polls earlier this month, which showed Gingrich ahead of his GOP challengers in Iowa. An NBC News-Marist poll released Dec. 4 found Gingrich leading as the preference of 21 percent of likely caucus-goers, followed by Romney at 18 percent and Paul at 17 percent. The Des Moines Register's Iowa poll showed similar results.
(A new NBC News-Marist poll of the Iowa caucuses will be released later this week.)
In the intervening weeks, the different candidates -- along with super PACs acting on their behalf -- have spent millions on ads in the state. Arguably the most significant expenditures have been made by Restore our Future, a pro-Romney super PAC that has run ads castigating Gingrich, and the Paul campaign, which has also spent to promote the libertarian-minded candidate, and in opposition to Romney and Gingrich.
Santorum has also been the beneficiary of increased social conservative suppoprt, most notably from Bob Vander Plaats, the head of The Family Leader, who endorsed the former senator independent of his group.
The new figures also underscore the fluidity of the GOP field ahead of the Jan. 3 caucus. Gingrich has slid over the past month just as Herman Cain and Bachmann -- who had each led in Iowa at one point -- had faded. The poll points to the possibility of even more shifting in the final days of the Iowa campaign: 54 percent of likely caucus-goers said they will definitely support the candidate they named, but 43 percent said they might change their mind.
Once Iowa's contest is decided, the candidates will head to New Hampshire, the host of the nation's first primary and the cycle's second nominating contest.
Forty-four percent of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire said they would back Romney. Paul places second, at 17 percent, followed by Gingrich at 16 percent, Huntsman at nine percent, Santorum at four percent, Bachmann at three percent and Perry at two percent.
Fifty-one percent of New Hampshire primary voters said they've made up their mind, while 45 percent said they may change their mind -- offering hope to the winner of Iowa's caucuses to use a win there as a springboard heading into the Granite State.
The polls, conducted Dec. 21-24 and Dec. 26-27 by ORC, have a 4.5 percent margin of error for the Iowa results, and a four percent margin of error for the New Hampshire results.
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I saw a human today!!! I hadnt seen another human in these parts in months. I thought she looked normal so I cautiously approached her, once I got within a few feet my suspicions were comfirmed by her pleasent aroma rather than the herbicidal stench that the genetically modified humans exude. She looked so natural and beautiful, she was even shaped like a human, not like one of those lumpy, greasey haired, foul smelling monsanto pod people.
Sarah Palin had everyone fooled, didn't she?
Sarah Palin was my hero. She would put bullseyes on her opponents heads on her website, probably hoping that one of her deranged followers would take them out. Not saying that Jared Loughner was influenced by her.
She also was very good at shooting wolves from her helcopter gunship with her blazing AK47. She used the AK47 because it turned them into instant wolfburgers-saved prep time.
I was really disappointed when she dropped out of the race, as I was looking forward to more stories about her on Saturday Night Live.
I always enjoyed stories about her children, whatever therir names were-just a guess I think they were Trick, Track, Truck, and Thimble.
lol!
And the Dems take on another 4 years.
Thank God Iowa doesn't represent the country as a whole. Any state that would even think of supporting that buffoon, Rick Santorum, is even quirkier than I thought they were. A bunch of quirky people totally out of the mainstream of American politics!! And here I thought Texas was bad! Next, we'll here Sarah Palin is leading as a write-in candidate
I'm telling you it's the CORN!! there are 2 billion stalks of corn in Iowa and monsanto owns every one, there is no regulation on what monsanto can do to patented genetically modified food. the people of iowa have become genetically modifed, plastic republibots. You dont believe me that Monsanto's GMO's turn people into plastic robots? look me straight in the eye and tell me Calista Gingrich looks human! You cant do it can you? Thats GMO's for you, and Newts MOOBS are a direct result of Bovine Growth Hormone, or he could just be a fat pig but my money is on the RBGH.
The braindead Children of the Corn zombies in Iowa are famous for their anti-abortion stance and having creationism taught in all schools. In their spare time they make crop circles, hoping that Jesus sees them from the sky and arises there.
Until there is a viable Revolution Party of America formed, organized, and producing qualified candidates from middle-class America I will remain aloof from politics. Well, maybe I'll vote for Obama just to pi$$ off the racists and my misled GOP friends who continue to send millionaires to Wash DC thinking only Wall St, and Corporate America can best represent their interests - Oh, what fools these mortals be !
Why is it you folks keep forgetting that a "Revolution Party" was already formed & created the very same government & Constitution that conservatives bitch about?
You Tea Part freaks need to man up & stop being the "Apologists".... Learn what "patriotism" is, your "false patriotism" hasn't done you or our country one lick of good
that's the problem they don't have full control..to change the constitution to there beliefs only..Church will make the rules..like in old.in there book
how come every time an alien from outer space comes and takes y'all to another planet and rap y'all..and return y'all to mother earth..why is that tea trash ..why are all green men from outer space homo..why go there.and tell the world..why
Until there is a viable Revolutionary Party of America formed, organized, and producing qualified candidates from middle-class America I will remain aloof from politics. Well, maybe I'll vote for Obama just to pi$$ off the racists and my misled GOP friends who continue to send millionaires to Wash DC thinking only Wall St, and Corporate America can best represent their interests - Oh, what fools these mortals be !
yes and sometimes i think they are the real green men
If Romney is up for POTUS against Obama, im voting Obama. There's hardly any difference between the two! If Ron Paul is nominated, im voting Ron over Obama
yes we can just call you crazy and get over it
Here, Here... Ron Paul......2012
Ron Paul is anti war. The Christians will never support him.
I like clean drinking water!
News Flash ----- Conservatives can't find Nemo.. They want Nemo to run for President
they have been telling every one nemo is a cat..not a fish...what ever they say nemo is thats what he is
Romney tops field in Iowa, while Gingrich slides
No mention of Romney's real threat even in the headline. The ignore Ron Paul chit continues. But who really believes anything CNN says anymore, they are trying to control public opinion and the election outcome.
like fox news from the last election of tea trash
LynyrdSky, I believe they said that Romney was leading and Paul was in second. How much more of Paul do you want them to talk about. They were quoting a poll. Get real.
Verno Most people scan headlines to decide if they want to read the article, this head line clearly listed Romney and Gingrich with no mention of Paul. The media is acting like Paul does not count THAT was my point not because I wanted his name in Bold Font, I want the TRUTH to be told.
we know he is out there ..did you hear me
No one is ignoring Ron Paul, they are being realistic. If that loon gets elected we are in for a lame duck president from day one and nothing, I repeat, nothing will get done. His cockamamie ideas will not make it into, let alone through, Congress. On some issues Paul sounds good but realistically they aren't going to happen.
The Republican nomination process has long since become almost comical.
Herman Cain, a one time front runner, is gone after a series of gaffs and personal scandals.
Rick Parry, has been [politically] a dead man talking since his abortive effort to count to three without a queue card duing a primary debate.
Michele Bachmann is at least a hair brighter than either Rick or Herman, but is also no MENSA candidate, and apparently gave up thinking some time ago.
Newt Gingrich, who is continually touted for his intellect, has a penchant for shooting himself in the foot. His latest mishap, failing to turn in enough signatures to compete in the GOP Primary in Virginia, along with remembrance of some old political scandals, may be enough to scuttle his chances.
Ron Paul simply scares the heck out of more than half of the voters.
Jon Huntsman is supposedly an impressive individual, but has never yet managed to make the GOP primary voters aware that he exists.
...which pretty much leaves Mitt Romney, mr. perfect hair, whom the hard-core tea party voters do not trust. The once and future candidate.
We can call it "The Republican Abomination Process"
The super PACs can spend the billions they want but in the end the people will decide on the most sensible of the candidates and in the case of the Republicans that is Willard Romney. Their boy, Willard will go up against Barack and Barack will. once again, win by a landslide. On Barack's coat tails will be enough Democrats to win back control of the House and increase their seats in the Senate.
I want my benefits run like like my republicans 401 plan..with nothing to show in the future
I still can not believe the Main Stream Media is still making up the news...instead of Reporting it!
This is how the American people have always been treated.
We wont be fooled Again....No No
Ron Paul has pulled away from both newit and mitt.
THIS IS A MUST WATCH!
what is?
good
Johnny:
So, if the MSM doesn't exactly agree with YOU they aren't reporting things but making things up. What, pray tell, would they have to gain by doing that? Do you think they are so stupid as to think that brilliant individuals like you would be unable to expose them for their folly?
Sour grapes don't tase very good, do they little one?
Whomever come up with a plan to create american jobs and put americans back to work and get our infrastructure mooving again will win the November elections...Obama had a chance but he is busy with other things, and it may be too late fix it all.... we are getting so behind!
remember government don't create jobs.
Three NATO Military Troops Are Killed by the Taliban in Eastern Afghanistan…But Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat, Left wing Kook Vice President Joe Biden Says, "the Taliban is Not Our Enemy."
The latest deaths bring December's death toll of foreign NATO troops killed in Afghanistan to twenty-three, for a total of five hundred, thirty-nine deaths so far this year. But don't worry as Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat, Left wing Kook Vice President Joe Biden says, "the Taliban is not our enemy."
Three NATO service members have been killed by a roadside bomb in eastern
Afghanistan, the alliance said Wednesday. The Taliban claimed responsibility for
the attack, saying the target was a U.S. military convoy.
NATO's statement said that the deaths occurred Tuesday, but provided no
further details about the incident or the nationalities of the troops.
Why do politicians use sleazy assualt ads you ask? The answer is simply that it works! I will vote for Romney should he get the nomination, but he is not as conservative as Gingrich, and Ron Paul is downright scary on his foreign policy. He is only slightly better overall than Obama for that reason. Obama has (gag) a stronger foreign policy than Ron Paul.
Each time you hear Romney speak all he is talking about is that he was a businessmen and governor and knows how to do it, but he never states how he is going to do it. The smiles he gives reminds me of the smirks that Bush was giving each time he spoke. Also Romney's misionary time was not spent in a small one room apartment, he lived in an Palace with servants.
He's wealthy, he deserves to live in a nice place - he worked for it. This of course is unlike the lazy average American who wants this life style but doesn't want to work for it!
All I can say is "Pat Paulsen for President, Dick Smothers for Speaker of The House and Tommy Smothers for Head of the C.I.A. It just might be a better world......................
the more i listen to Romney the more he reminds me of lurch..on the Adams family you rang
The more I listen to Obama, the more he reminds me of Lenin (and I don't mean the guy with the Beatles).
Romney is and continues to be the best candidate for the nomination. He is smart, he has business experience, he knows how to work with the opposition to get things done, and he has good morals. He is true to his wife and family. He has the best chance of any candidate, so far, to defeat Obama.
The Tea Party Republicans need to get their head out of their your know what, solidify behind Romney and get a program together to defeat Obama. We have experienced their flavors of the month, Perry, Cain, and Newt, and they have all been losers.
Also, the Evangelicals need to get over the fact that Romney is a Mormon. Mormons are Christians. But even that doesn't matter. Religion has no place in business or politics.
Let's come together and get a about the task of electing a Republican President in 2012.
Keith must have fond memories of 2008
The Republican semi-finals. How boring!
hahaha
I always vote for the guy that respects the Golden Rule - The people with the gold make the rules. Have a nice winter camping season Occupy Wallstreet Nuts.
B. Hussein Obama Wants to Raise the Debt Ceiling AGAIN & Borrow Another $1.2 Trillion on the Democrat Party's Chinese Credit Card!!!
Remember when candidate Obama called former President George W Bush "unpatriotic" for borrowing? He couldn't be serious? Wouldn't it be nice if "WE THE PEOPLE" had an unlimited budget and debt ceiling as well? These days the real "TRUE CRIME" is what is being perpetrated on the American taxpayers by our Federal Government.
President B. Hussein Obama will ask the U.S. Congress to raise the debt ceiling ONCE AGAIN!! Who honestly thinks that this is the way that one handles paying their bills when they spend more than they take in? B. Hussein Obama is expected to ask for authority to increase the borrowing limit by ANOTHER $1.2 trillion IN U.S. TAXPAYER MONEY.
B. Hussein Obama, the Hypocrite/Liar-in-Chief, called former President George W. Bush "unpatriotic" for raising the debt limit by $4 trillion during his eight years in the White House. B. Hussein Obama called it irresponsible and unpatriotic. So what does that mean you are Barry, for doing 10X WORSE in just three years in the White House? Please tell me some one at the GOP is already making this political ad for 2012?
The White House plans to ask the U.S. Congress by the end of the week for an increase in the government's debt ceiling to allow the United States to pay its bills on time, according to a senior Treasury Department official on Tuesday. The approval is expected to go through without a challenge, given that the U.S. Congress is in recess until later in January 2012 and the request is in line with an agreement to keep the U.S. federal government funded into 2013.
The debt is projected to fall within $100 billion of the current cap by December 30th, 2011, when the United States has $82 billion in interest on its debt and payments such as Social Security coming due. President B. Hussein Obama is expected to ask for authority to increase the borrowing limit by ANOTHER $1.2 trillion, part of
the spending authority that was negotiated between Congress and the White House this summer.
As the Lonely Conservative opines, America is not safe from this President {B. Hussein Obama} even
when he is on his million U.S. taxpayer dollar vacation in Hawaii and playing his 90th round of golf. A tax and spend Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat like B. Hussein Obama always finds time to tax and spend ordinary American U.S. Taxpayers' money and raise the U.S. debt to even higher levels. The new debt limit will go up to almost $16.4 trillion. That's $16,400,000,000,000!!! Brought to you by our current Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrat, Left Wing Kook of a President and the Leftist, Liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democrats who refuse to pass a budget.
What Pat in Michigan said…These people are just running our beloved country into the ground. For all things that are Holy and Good, please, please for the Love of God, vote this guy {B. Hussein Obama} out of office and provide us with a responsible Republican U.S. President and U.S. Congress/U.S. Senate in 2012. I beg you America, before it is too late. Aaaaameeeen!!!
WSN'T that increase previously endorsed and passed by the GOP controlled House?
What doea this rant have to do with Newt and Romney??
YES! It was broken into 3 more parts! The TEA BAGS made sure it would come up TWO MORE times, even thought hey ALL AGREED, just to make the president look BAD!
TEA BAG IDIOTS!
OBAMA 2012
The Iowa Caucus has almost zero credibility as a compass. You can't make heads or tails of what direction the primaries will take just on what happens in Iowa. Look at the record. No disrespect to Iowans, they have the right to speak as much as anyone. But it's really more about publicity than anything else.
What's far more significant is that both Gingrich and Perry couldn't qualify in Virginia. They both might as well drop out now. Romney probably isn't my favorite, but I'd take any one of them over the trash that we presently have the shame of calling our president.
Ron Paul couldn't be elected Dogcatcher in a national election. Why are you people wasting your lives?