New numbers from the Pew Research Center show a major jump for former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) in the national GOP race — Santorum now leads the contest by two percent, locked in a statistical dead heat with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Santorum gets 30 percent in the nationwide survey, Romney 28, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has faded to third with 17 and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) is at 12.
“In the early GOP primaries, Romney has struggled at times in winning over the conservative elements of the Republican electorate – Tea Party supporters, conservatives and white evangelical Republicans,” Pew wrote in its analysis. “The new poll shows that nationally he trails Santorum among all three groups.”
However, national matchups still show Romney to be the better candidate against President Obama, marginally. Obama bests Romney 52 – 44, has a ten point advantage over Santorum, and an eighteen point lead over Gingrich, all outside the margin of error. “Obama has made gains among independent voters,” Pew wrote. “Today, 51% of independents favor Obama in a matchup against Romney, up from 40% a month ago.”