A new national poll from Gallup shows former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney pulls about one fifth of Republicans nationally, 20 percent, while both former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and businessman Herman Cain battle to be his chief rival.
Gingrich has moved to 19 percent after polling at only four in Gallup’s August survey, while Cain finishes with 16. Cain dropped from a first place tie last month in the Gallup poll after previous sexual allegations came to light.
Most of the candidates, including Romney, receive roughly equal support from conservative and moderate or liberal Republicans. Cain and, in particular, Gingrich, have greater appeal to conservative Republicans.
Overall, Gingrich has a slight edge over Romney and Cain among conservatives, while Romney has a wider margin over the others among moderates and liberals.