Ron Paul takes over the lead in Iowa as Newt's support disappears

**pwaldo** · 12-19-2011, 08:22 PM

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/...lips-to-fourth

Ron Paul has opened up a six-point lead in Iowa, while Newt Gingrich has suffered a dramatic collapse, according to the latest Insider Advantage poll.

The Texas lawmaker had the support of 24 percent of those surveyed, followed by Mitt Romney at 18 percent, Rick Perry at 16 percent, Gingrich at 13 percent, Michele Bachmann at 10 percent, Jon Huntsman at 4 percent, and Rick Santorum at 3 percent.

This is the second poll released on Monday to show that Gingrich’s support in Iowa has evaporated.

According to a Public Policy Poll, Gingrich fell from first place to third place. Paul leads that poll by a margin of 23 percent to 20 percent over Romney. Gingrich polled at 14 percent in Iowa, according to PPP, down from 27 percent only two weeks ago.

**pspstatus** · 12-19-2011, 11:06 PM

That's kind of surprising. I really thought Newt was about to be the big dog. Out of that class Ron Paul is the only one I'd even consider voting for.

**~~OBOMBA~~** · 12-19-2011, 11:49 PM

ron paul talks a lot but i still have my doubts about anybody running for president

**duane1969** · 12-20-2011, 08:52 AM

That poll is entirely unreliable. First it only polled 319 people, hardly a large enough number to carry any weight or be a true indicator. Second, 44% (142) of them were either Democrats or Independents.

A poll that was just on MSNBC yesterday showed Newt at 40%, Romney at 25% and Paul at 9%. That is more realistic.

**mrveggieman** · 12-20-2011, 09:04 AM

I would love for Ron Paul to get the republican nod but the powers that be will never let that happen.

**duane1969** · 12-20-2011, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by mrveggieman

I would love for Ron Paul to get the republican nod but the powers that be will never let that happen.

You know, this isn't a very fair thing to say (just being honest), but my #1 issue with Paul is his age. He turns 77 in August which means he would be 81 by the end of his first term and would have to live to 85 to finish a second term if he got re-elected.

My dad is 78 so I speak from a bit of a position of knowledge. I don't know if a guy that age has the mental and physical ability to handle the rigors of being POTUS. Look at how much Obama has aged in just 3 years, look at George W. and Clinton after 8 years. Being POTUS is a 24/7 365 job and I just don't know if a guy that age can take it and live thru it.

**pghin08** · 12-20-2011, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by duane1969

That poll is entirely unreliable. First it only polled 319 people, hardly a large enough number to carry any weight or be a true indicator. Second, 44% (142) of them were either Democrats or Independents.

A poll that was just on MSNBC yesterday showed Newt at 40%, Romney at 25% and Paul at 9%. That is more realistic.

Give it a month and we'll see Newt dropping like a stone. It may not even take that long.

**duane1969** · 12-20-2011, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by pghin08

Give it a month and we'll see Newt dropping like a stone. It may not even take that long.

I agree. I don't see Newt as a viable candidate. I just don't see any evidence that Paul is anywhere near being a GOP front-runner like this poll suggest.

**pghin08** · 12-20-2011, 09:59 AM

I'm just waiting to see how far the "Anybody but Romney" train goes. I think we're about two months away from seeing inanimate objects surging up the polls.

Vote Chicken of the Sea Tuna in 2012! It still smells less fishy than Mitt Romney!

**duane1969** · 12-20-2011, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by pghin08

I'm just waiting to see how far the "Anybody but Romney" train goes. I think we're about two months away from seeing inanimate objects surging up the polls.

Vote Chicken of the Sea Tuna in 2012! It still smells less fishy than Mitt Romney!

Probably has less grease in it's hair too...