Yet another poll shows GOP Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich’s surge to be coming on strong in the first caucus state of Iowa. A CBS/New York Times survey shows the former House Speaker in front with 31 percent, former Mass Gov. Mitt Romney at 17, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) third with 16 and Texas Gov. Rick Perry rounding out the candidates in double digits with 11.
The data reflects a string of results out over the last few days showing Gingrich with a large lead in the polls in front of the January 3rd caucuses.
Update, 6:44: More results from the poll are out, and they show that many Iowa voters now consider Gingrich the candidate who can win in 2012.
Among Tea Party supporters, the perception of Gingrich as the candidate best-equipped to defeat Mr. Obama is even more pronounced – 45 percent view him as having the best chances to beat Mr. Obama, compared with 19 percent for Romney.The poll also found that the economy far outweighs social issues among Iowa caucus-goers – 71 percent said the economy will play a bigger factor in determining their vote, compared with 14 percent who said social issues would. Thirteen percent said they would weigh both equally.
