Poll: Gingrich Leads Romney By 9 Percent

By Andrea Salazar

Newt Gingrich is leading the cluttered field GOP presidential candidates with 32 percent approval, a 9 percent margin over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, according to the latest opinion poll by Majority Opinion Research/Poll Position.

Romney, the long-time front runner, stands at 23 percent, while pizza mogul Herman Cain rounds off the top three with 14 percent.

The poll, conducted over the phone on Nov. 27, surveyed 449 registered voters who said they would vote in the Republican primaries and has a 4 percent margin of error. It is the first poll conducted following the New Hampshire Union Leader’s endorsement of the former House Speaker. 

Unlike Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose numbers dipped after saying Americans who don’t support helping undocumented students go to college “don’t have a heart,” Gingrich’s popularity increased after calling for a “humane” immigration policy during the Nov. 22 GOP debate in Washington, D.C.

The latest poll also shows Gingrich with a lead of 32 percent among Independents. Ron Paul follows with 16 percent.