Even in the midst of Newt Gingrich’s campaign steep fall since his decisive victory in the South Carolina primary last month, the former House Speaker has taken solace in his seemingly strong standing in states like Georgia, a state he served in public office for twenty years. But a new InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research poll of the Peach State shows that Gingrich’s southern strategy is also suffering.
The statewide survey of likely Georgia primary voters shows Gingrich clinging to a small lead in his home state with 25.9 percent support, while Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum poll at 23.9 percent and 22.8 percent respectively. Ron Paul comes in fourth with 11.7 percent.
The timing of the poll couldn’t be worse for Gingrich, who on Sunday said that a loss in one’s home state reflects “a very, very badly weakened candidacy.” Georgia is one of 11 states holding its primaries or caucuses on March 6 (widely known as “Super Tuesday”), a day that Gingrich hopes will resuscitate his flagging campaign.
