Newt Gingrich leads GOP field in national polls

AP Photo/Cheryl Senter

Yet another national poll shows former House Speaker Newt Gingrich surpassing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the Republican presidential frontrunner.

A CNN poll conducted November 18 - 20 shows Gingrich earning the support of 24 percent of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents, with 20 percent backing Romney. The four-point difference is within the margin of error. Herman Cain garnered 17 percent support while Rick Perry came in at 11 percent.

Gingrich is the latest Republican to challenge Romney's frontrunner status, but the CNN poll indicates there is still plenty of room for movement in the race: Only 27 percent of Republicans said they have definitely made up their minds.

The CNN poll follows a Gallup poll in which Gingrich edged out Romney for the lead by one point among registered Republicans, 22 percent to 21 percent.

In reaction to the Gallup poll, Gingrich said it's clear he's the best candidate to take on President Obama.

"I think, first, is the scale of the solutions that I propose, which are much bigger and much more comprehensive than any other person running for office," he said in New Hampshire. "The second is the fact that I've actually done it. I'm the only person running this year who's actually helped create a national majority twice ... balanced the budget for four straight years at the federal level. Nobody else running comes anywhere close to that."

While voters said Gingrich is the most likely to understand complex issues and the best qualified to serve as commander in chief, there are signs that they may not be sold on his candidacy.

Forty percent said Romney has the best chance of beating Mr. Obama next year, compared to just 21 percent who said Gingrich does. Furthermore, Romney is considered the most likeable candidate and the most likely to get the economy moving again.

[TeaParty4RonPaul]

Newt Gingrich is one of the most unethical men in politics.
The Gingrich Ethics Probe
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/ethics.htm

Here he is all cozy with Nancy Pelosi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi6n_-wB154

So for all the GOP talk of small government and liberty they do anything but prove it with Newt's current ranking in the polls.

[Tingo12321]

Sadly none of you can speak for Gingrich. He does that all by himself just fine. The smears have failed.His speeches and debates are great. Exactly what will stop this man??
Obviously nothing.
GINGRICH in 2012.

[getchawanawhat]

He is an idiot and a ******, telling the occupiers to get a job, hello that is why they are protesting in the first place.. And maybe he needs to take a shower old smelly guy

[cloopy]

i would think obama and his small base of supporters are praying romney is the nominee,at debate all obama would have to say is hell?romney/obamacare!!on the other hand,i would rethink the gingrich is easy to beta comment,yes newt has his negatives,but who dont?it appears as though gingrich has become immune to the obama media constant character attacks.gingrich has not only an extensive record,to fix the obama mess,but the debate performances,omg,i think thats why gingrich is now the frontrunner,its widely beleived gingrich will wipe the debate floor w/obama,expect gingrich to be gaining rapis support/momnetum in the very near future,like yesterday.

[owlgal]

Well this sure will be a Happy Thanksgiving for the Democrats.
Here they were dreading Romney and may be able to rejoice in Gingrich. What a sad day for the Republicans. If this is the best they can come up with to oppose Obama they may as well give up now and save themselves the embarassment.

[Charleston Voice]

Give us a break. The Newtster no more leads as a favorite from the mainstream Republicans than Obama. Only the Party-dependent hangers-on will support ANY candidate if it'll give them a job.
Watch: http://chasvoice.blogspot.com/2011/11/real-newt-gingrich-part-1.html

[ParkingLotSeal]

Anyone know who got 18% in that CNN poll?

I mean, I know its hard to report the news without bias....

[sgreco1970]

Now Gingrich says he wants to get rid of child labor laws?? WOULD YOU REALLY VOTE FOR THIS MAN?? HE'LL TURN US INTO CHINA.

[formerusmcsgt1]

What the repubs want is to return to the early 20th century when the captains of industry ran the country for their benefit and the working class made subsistence wages.

It has nothing to do with China.

[minipulate7]

Here we go hes winning no doubt this will be great hes gonna tear us down... Im movin to brazil

[Bakery87]

How come you NEVER report on Ron Paul winning just about every straw poll in existence, or the fact he beat Obama in a head-to-head Gallop poll? Start reporting accurate news instead of who has 1% more week to week. These stories actually help the front-runners keep going. People believe they are winning, but they really aren't.

[formerusmcsgt1]

MAybe because he appeals to about 6% of the electorate?

[Windwaker78]

It is absolutely disgusting what they're doing to Ron Paul. They just pretend like he doesn't exist. Maybe it's time for Ron Paul supporters to "peacefully assemble" and "occupy" the Mainstream news stations!

[nicholasglen]

After the Bush years the last thing America needs is someone with extreme arrogance. Our image in the world does matter and Obama has helped that. Being proud of your country is natural, but not the belief that we are better. That is blinding.

[formerusmcsgt1]

You may recall that it was SO bad during dubya's terms that the administration even insulted our allies who would not go along with it's stupidity.

[1steve9999]

This is sad...Newt does not pass family values.
It is NOT ok to cheat on your wife.