Iowa Poll: Romney And Paul In Dead Heat

Mitt Romney and Ron Paul are nearly tied in Iowa, according to a poll released Friday by NBC News-Marist.

Romney holds 23 percent support among likely caucus voters while Ron Paul comes in with 21 percent.

Newt Gingrich, who initially polled well in Iowa, is now floundering in the Hawkeye state. He comes in behind former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, who garners 15 percent support, and Texas Governor Rick Perry, who charts with 14 percent.

The poll comes just days before the Iowa caucus, the official kickoff of the 2012 election season.

The survey polled 433 likely Iowa caucus goers between December 27th and 28th. The full results can be viewed here.