http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/11/gingrich-up-big-in-florida-and-montana.htmlNewt Gingrich's momentum is continuing to build, and he now leads Mitt Romney by over 25 points in both Florida and Montana.
In Florida Gingrich is at 47% to 17% for Romney, 15% for Herman Cain, 5% for Ron Paul, 4% for Michele Bachmann, 3% for Jon Huntsman, 2% for Rick Perry, 1% for Rick Santorum, and 0% for Gary Johnson.
Full results
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_FLMT_1130925.pdf.
Newt Gingrich ................................................. 47%
Mitt Romney.................................................... 17%
Herman Cain................................................... 15%
Ron Paul ......................................................... 5%
Michele Bachmann ......................................... 4%
Jon Huntsman................................................. 3%
Rick Perry ....................................................... 2%
Rick Santorum................................................ 1%
Gary Johnson ................................................. 0%
Someone else/Not sure .................................. 7%
These two states really exemplify one of the key emerging trends in the Republican race- Gingrich isn't just rising, Romney's also falling. His 17% in Florida is down 13 points from 30% when we polled the state in late September. His 11% in Montana is down 11 points from 22% when we polled the state in June.
In addition to his support for the nomination, Romney's personal popularity is down too. His Florida favorability was +43 (65/22) and it's declined 28 points to +15 (51/36). He's dropped in Montana too although it's a more modest change there from +11 (47/36) to only +5 (44/39).
The biggest reason for Newt Gingrich's rise is that he's picked up the voters of Herman Cain and Rick Perry as their campaigns have fallen apart. But these numbers make it pretty clear he's doing more than that- some of Mitt Romney's '25%' is starting to fall off and move toward Newt as well.
