Jacksonville, Florida (CNN) - One day before the final GOP presidential debate in Florida, it's all tied up between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, according to a new survey.
A CNN/Time/ORC International Poll also indicates that while Gingrich surged following his 12-point victory in Saturday's South Carolina primary, his momentum appears to be quickly cooling off.
CNN LIVE: Tune in Thursday at 8 p.m. ET for the CNN/Republican Party of Florida Debate hosted by Wolf Blitzer and follow it on Twitter at #CNNDebate. For real-time coverage of the Florida primary, go to CNNPolitics.com or to the CNN apps or CNN mobile web site.
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According to the poll, 36% of people likely to vote in Tuesday's Republican primary in the Sunshine State say they are backing Romney as the party's nominee, with 34% supporting Gingrich. The former Massachusetts governor's two point margin over the former House speaker is well within the survey's sampling error.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania is at 11% and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas is at 9%, with 7% unsure. The poll's Wednesday release comes one day before a CNN-Republican Party of Florida presidential debate at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. The showdown is the last time the candidates will face off on the same stage before Tuesday's winner-take-all primary, where 50 delegates are up for grabs.
"In the wake of his double-digit victory in the South Carolina primary, Newt Gingrich has nearly doubled his support in Florida," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "The current numbers are the result of some wild swings for and against the two frontrunners."
Gingrich was at 18% support in Florida and trailed Romney by 25 points in CNN's last poll in the state, which was conducted Jan. 13-17.
The new survey was conducted Sunday through Tuesday, after the Palmetto State primary, and mostly before and partially after Monday night's Republican presidential debate in Tampa, where in a role reversal, Romney aggressively attacked Gingrich.
On Sunday, the day after Gingrich won big in South Carolina, he was at 38% in Florida, with Romney at 36%, Santorum at 11% and Paul at 8%. Looking only at Monday and Tuesday's results, Romney was at 38%, Gingrich 29% Santorum at 11% and Paul at 9%.
"Gingrich's post-Palmetto State bounce did not last long," adds Holland. "Monday's debate may have something to do with that, but the data indicate that the shift to Romney began
before the debate started, so there are clearly other forces at work."
The poll indicates that Gingrich has a 10-point lead over Romney among self-described conservatives and appears to do better than Romney among born-again Christians and tea party movement supporters. The geography of the state appears to back that up - Gingrich does five points better than Romney in the more conservative northern and central parts of Florida; Romney does better in Tampa Bay, Miami, and southern Florida, where moderates and northern transplants are more prevalent.
A gender gap appears to have developed as well. In South Carolina, Gingrich won among men and women, according to exit polls. But in Florida, although Gingrich has an edge among men, Romney had the advantage among women.
"Some of that may be due to recent coverage of Gingrich's personal life, but it is almost certainly due to other factors as well. Gingrich's favorable rating has consistently been higher among men than among women for years before he became a presidential candidate, suggesting that men may find his red-meat approach to issues more appealing than women do," says Holland.
With six days to go until Florida's GOP primary, which is only open to registered Republicans, one in four questioned said they may change their minds on which candidate they are supporting, while 64% said they are definitely sticking with the candidate they are currently backing.
The CNN/Time poll was conducted by ORC International from January 22-24, with 369 likely Florida GOP primary voters questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus five percentage points.
Also see:
Live blog: 2012 State of the Union
New Freddie Mac contract prohibits 'lobbying activities'
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Honsetly? Paul is the only one for the job.
RON PAUL 2012.
where do these polls come from, nobody sees them are they made up?
LOL, this is hilarious. Its like picking between herpes and ghonorrea.....no matter which one you pick, you can't get rid of em.
In a review of 44 recent statements by Newt Gingrich, Politifact.com rates three as true and four as mostly true. It rates nine as mostly false, nine as completely false and eight as "pants on fire" lies. Eleven are rated half-true, the same as half-false. In other words, he makes false claims 59% of the time. And another 25% of the time, he's telling half-truths. He browbeats, belittles and speaks the truth 15% of the time.
We need you Mitt !!!! Romney 2012. A true leader for America.
Is it safe to say that if Santorum drops out now Newt takes Florida?
This is 'breaking news'...... it must be a REALLY slow news day. Surely there is a man biting a dog somewhere?
I am so glad someone is saying TIE or Romney, seems like Newt can never be behind
They ARE made up big time – CNN wants to clog up the race, so the GOP won't have a clear candidate.
Anyways, Newt is the best!
Obama Wins the election. who cares
I'm sorry, why was Newt running again?
The media is crafting this race. The population gets all their info from a few news sources. Since those sources favor some info over other info and never get into the REAL issues they effectively decide who people will vote for. The large majority of Americans are ignorant of the real problems and real root causes of those problems (like the FED)
Considering how wrong the polls have been in SC, these polls are just propaganda.
False, I'm in Jacksonville and a student at UNF campus where the debate will be tommorow.....Ron Paul's support dwarfs any other candidate's support
and my balls also hang in a statistical tie, from time to time, on cold days though, one def hangs lower than the other.
WOW, now we can sleep knowing the "breaking news" is nothing new! NO ONE CARES!
Newt is running for Idiot an Chief
Let's hope Gingrich is peaking and will go down from here. The man is a great public speaker. But so was Hitler.
CNN, please stick to the issues with all candidates. No more stupid questions.
With that said, Newt is the only one who can beat Obama, and can ... and has, done what needs to be done to turn this country around before being destroyed by Obama. Two things Newt has done that can have dramatic, instant results: Balance the budget and welfare reform!
More lies from liberal CNN-what were the polls before Newt rolled over Mitt in SC? Newt will win by 15 points-bank on it! The media and the White House want Mitt-they are scared of Newt, that is clear.
No critical thinkers in SC. Hope Fl voters think before voting for an unethical former speaker.
Seriously, these are the frontrunners? Paul needs to drop out and run as an independent. He'll never be the nominee regardless of how many votes he receives. Both of these loons will wreck the country just as bad as Obama. Not that either of them have a chance against him. Obama would shred Romney in any debate, and Newt is too much of a neocon to win over independents.
Seriously, these are the frontrunners? Paul needs to drop out and run as an independent. He'll never be the nominee regardless of how many votes he receives. Both of these loons will wreck the country just as bad as Obama. Not that either of them have a chance against him. Obama would shred Romney in any debate, and Newt is too much of a neocon to win over independents...
McCain for president. He's quoted as saying that there should be fewer debates. That gets my vote.
Obama is a tough act to follow. These two look absolutely irrelevant now.
369 people thats all tha live in Florida!
Here is the problem: Romney has asked for transparency while Newt and the other candidates have asked for transparency from Romeny since last week. When asked in the South Carolina debate by Newt to Romeny about his real position at Bain he did the traditional Romney by avoid the question and answering the earlier question. Floridians should open their eyes and find out if the money that Romeny has investments came from the money he profited while at Bain due to the people Bain fired. Good job on the taxes Mittens but how did you get that money while at Bain?
Dead – steaming pile of heat.
Hopefully the Republicans will wake up and vote for someone who actually stands for their values. Ron Paul 2012. Anything else is a vote for Obama.
gingrich and romney are NUT JOBS! Seriously, a vote for them is a vote for obama in the coming re-election. We need to get behind Ron Paul, and I mean NOW! Unless you want nobama for another 4 years...
Here's hoping they destroy each other for the good of the country.
Gingrich's ship will be sinking fast now. He frequently plays fast and loose with his record and the truth. Last night he took credit for balancing the budget for 4 years while it was really only balanced for 2 while he was in office, and that is just one of his tall tails. All the fact checking going on today is quite enlightening.
If you really want to know who the true conservative is don't ask the guy who filmed an ad with Nancy Pelosi promoting climate change, called Paul Ryan's medicare plan right wing social engineering and most recently has spent his time misrepresenting Mitt's successful turnaround record and attacking capitalism. Regan conservative... bah!
Newt isn't a Washington outsider he is a carrier politician that has spent his life in Washington and the only reason he is still not in Washington is because no one could work with him. He did not walk away, as he stated last night in another unsuccessful try to rewrite history, he resigned in disgrace. Even Ron Paul, who was there, called Gingrich on trying to bend the truth in his favor.
It was about time someone called Gingrich on his lies. Gingrich tried his old attack the questioner and side step the truth again in the last debate but without an audience to interrupt he couldn't get off the hook and he was left speechless. The Liar was caught.
What happens if Romney gets 42% of the total Republican Delegates, Gingrich gets 47%, Paul gets 4%, and Santorum gets 7%? What exactly does a "Brokered Convention" mean to the Republican party?
It doesn't matter. After the State of the Union address people know who we need to lead this country forward and not backward.
Cant wait to see either one of these guys in the reverse mortgage commercials!
Romney and his PAC, some of which have close ties to him have spent a fortune on Florida. Fortunately the people of Florida are seeing thru this guy who only pays 14% tax yet has the nerve to say he is "unemployed" (New Hampshire) and to say that he experienced poverty while doing Missionary work in Paris when it has been revealed he lived in a Mansion owned by his Church. Romney is a complete phoney who thinks he can buy the Presidency.
CNN, over-hype much? The polls may show a swing, but the reality is that seniors tend to vote early by mail. The polls can soar, but can recent Gingrich enthusiasm overcome those ballots already waiting to be counted?
The "dead" part of "dead heat" is particularly appropriate to the situation ! ! !
The current behavior of the GoP is simply beyond rational understanding - EVEN desperation does NOT adequately explain it ! ! !
Here are your choices America: arrogant or repulsive –and you have to guess which is which.
It tickles me to see how each of these candidates reaches out to the minority's vote. They use words like food stamps, sing ghetto to describe the Latino's language, all of a sudden they are FOR the Dream Act and they will go as far as visiting NAACP to teach on how they can do better for Black folks than Black folks themselves?
Where were these same candidates when they weren't running for President? How much have they done for any community outside of their own backyards? If they were doing good for "any" minority group – negative ads and going below the belt would not be necessary now; their record would be obvious. And these guys want the highest profiled job in the USA that's represents ALL of USA? Nah!
Obama 2012
These republican choices are beyond horrid. How could anyone vote for a Party so out of touch with what is going on economically across this Country today? Every last cent is gravitating into the hands of the 1% richest at a rate of over 4% increases per year, at the cost of the standard of living for everyone else (who are at a yearly net negative now in the face of inflation), and yet republicans want to give that 1% an even larger break, to make the problem even worse. We know where the money is, who has it, and that because it is not flowing through the economy, it is bringing it down.
Phyl, Did you mean Obama?
Bring it on.
Obama/Clinton 2012
Clinton/Warren 2016
@Phyllis – Hitler was elected!
P.S. How are Mary and Rhoda doing these days?
Coot or Mutt, it really doesn't matter. Throw in Con Paul, and Rick Sanctimonious and it gets more diluted. Barak will whip the pants off of any of them.
I guess seniors in Florida have no idea that Romney is pushing the Paul Ryan plan hard. He plans to cut social security and medicare to the core from day one to fund his tax breaks for the wealthy agenda and his ramping up of defense spending.
Cameron: Newt is running because something has to feed that massive ego of his. He tried to satisfy it first with the Speakers job and got fired...then he tried to feed it with female staffers.....this is the next logical step for a narcissist
"Like all members of the order Caudata, newts are characterised by a frog-like body with four equal sized limbs and a distinct tail. Aquatic larvae have true teeth on both upper and lower jaws, and external gills.[2] They have the ability to regenerate limbs, eyes, spinal cords, hearts, intestines, and upper and lower jaws."
Newt, is that you? Sure looks like you.
Gingrich is a proven cheater, liar, and hypocrite. The fact that he is in a dead heat with Romney sadly says all that needs to said about Republicans. They are perfectly comfortable with cheaters, liars, and hypocrites...
Republican values aren't American values anymore. Republicans have become the party of big money, greed, and to hell with the middle class. They fight to give the ultra-rich tax cuts but refuse to give tax breaks to the blue collar middle class. They try desperately to mix their private religiona and politics. The GOP has thrown America into the worst recession ever and refuse to take responsiblity for it. America is fed up with Republicans.
Newt was booted out by the people who knew him best: House GOP members. The more you get to know him, the more there is to dislike.
Gingrich has Romney nailed on immigration. Romney fired them. Gingrich wants to manufacture them into Americans.
Newt needs to get newtered!!!
not one of these candidates ever say what exactly they are going to do to turn the economy around; create new jobs; etc. All they seem to do is sling mud. If Obama keeps his mounth shut I think he will be a shoo-in for re-election.
why does CNN and Fox keep blacking out Ron Paul, millions of Americans like this guy and want to see more of him.
the way gingrich speaks and attacks and lies reminds me of old footage of Hitler. smart yes good speaker yes dangerous yes appeals to a certain segment of the angry extreme population absolutely yes
I just polled two kids in my house.
One wants pizza
the other wants pisketti.
Gingrich momentum cooling? People must have actually thought about it for 30 seconds. Seriously, his nomination doesn't even pass the "say it out loud test." "Let's elect the two-times divorced hypocrite who was removed from the Speakership by his own party." Yeah, doesn't sound that great.
If either of these two win the nomination, it is four more years of Obama. The only candidate who would have a chance against Obama is Ron Paul. I don't care what these fake polls say.
Doesn't matter at this point who you vote for, we are still 4-5 years away from any sense of stability. The system is broken and until both parties can come to terms with that and work to improve the situation, we are screwed. Vote for who you want to vote for. It's not going to help... Enjoy 4 more years of political backwash!
all gingrich needs to do is grow a little mustache and raise his arm in a stiff nazi salute and the transformation is complete
In a choice between the "Open Marriage Social Conservative with 84 ethics violations" vs. "Corporations are people my friend", I choose President Barack Obama.
In the course of one day CNN has gone from Newt momentum building in the morning, to Romney builds lead in the afternoon, to a dead heat in the evening.
You guys really have no idea what's going on down in Florida do you?
This means that you lunkheads are doing a great job! That is, if your goal is to completely demolish everything that our country was founded on. Keep in mind that the system that you so fervently support IS going to come to an end. So, where does that leave you? If you think the masters you serve are going to take care of you when the status quo goes bust you are sorely mistaken. Wake up America, the government cannot keep running the way it is now. It is economic fact.
Looks like Newt has found his Billinonare to fund his campaign...
A choice between Zomney and The Grand Wizard...haha, good luck with that.
As stated in a CNN article, "it's perfectly understandable you don't give away that kind of money without expecting something in return", literally puts it in perspective. The SuperPacs, Cheney's, Rove's, Norquist's and other groups have clearly demonstrated their full intention of controlling government and in demanding what they want, for their limited interests. The people, the majority don’t have that ability, don't have "the money", and instead are subjected to being targeted by the spending to be conned and manipulated. The supreme court blew it and the politicians won't do it – can the people do it, can the voters totally reject all of the propaganda aimed at them and firmly reject the "puppet" candidates and thereby make "the money" ineffective? Or will we once again end up with another "puppet" performing for those who "pull the strings" and neglecting all other responsibilities while just trying to deceive the people, just insultingly taking them for granted; i.e. will we be returned to the costly "more of the same", Bush-Cheney style?
Mitt is jealous, Newt has had more WIVES
If the polls are rigged, I think what we are seeing here is a game of what we call follow the leader. For instance, the candidate you want elected is doing badly according to a poll. His oponent is doing rather well. So with that in mind, the vastly undecided voters and those who feel hopeless will go for the guy in the polls who is doing the best because they think, "well if the majority vote is going to him, I guess ill vote for him as well." ....dont let your mind think this way, vote for who you KNOW is BEST
Just today – Newt builds momentum in the AM, Romney pulls ahead in the afternoon, and in the evening it's a dead heat?
Don't have a clue what's going on in Florida do ya?
The GOP lineup is PATHETIC. Amazing – after all the GOP has put America through with the financial meltdown they caused – THIS is the best they could do on the other side of it??? It's enough to make you sick!
I'm sorry, but how does being divorsed have anything to do with your profession? I don't care if someone was married 37 times, if they get the job done who cares! But none of the four canidates will do spit with the pit of hell that American is heading for.
Gingrich / Chtulhu 2012!! Don't settle for the lesser of 2 evils, vote for the greatest!!
Newt the liar and cheat? Or Mitt -(Obama Lite) the flip-flopper?
Ron Paul – Do your own research.
We DO need a third party, and Paul would win the election...hands down.
Let me see, I've read about five different polls today that say five different things, so why should I pay the slightest bit of attention to ANY of them? It's like the networks have a obscessive, compulsive disorder....gotta have a poll, gotta have a poll, GOTTA HAVE A POLL! Oh THAT poll.........that was 2 PM's poll.....it's old, it's 3:00 PM now and there's a whole NEW poll out that says the opposite of the 2:00 PM poll. It's a sure indicator that these news sites have NOTHING to talk about.
I guess the GOP finds these 2 equally distasteful, for once I agree with them
The next election is shaping up to be as big of a sham as the last. Do you know why Sarah Palin's bus tour was really canceled? Do you know why she stayed 30 miles away from the second debate and chose the death of Steve Jobs to announce that she's not running? Know what leaked out? Sarah Palin and Cain aren't in the race for the same reason, the truth leaked out. Search PalinsDirtyLittleSecret for the biggest cover up in history
America is seeing more and more of this guys's character. Based on what is publicly known about his public and private behavior... this guy does not do well with power in his hands. His grandiosity and narcissism will cause him to implode if he is every in the oval office. Newt would be a disaster for our country.
FLORIDA – No need to worry, they let child murderers go free. There will be one or the other to win, but seriously how serious can this be. I will never vote for either of these, not because they are Republican or Democrat, it is because who and what they really are. Romney = thinks he is better than you and me, Gingrich = disgrace – "FAMILY VALUES" – hello is anybody home. Gingrich is not even welcomed by his own party because of the person he is (mean and miserable). Not a fun guy.
*** billman
More lies from liberal CNN-what were the polls before Newt rolled over Mitt in SC? Newt will win by 15 points-bank on it! The media and the White House want Mitt-they are scared of Newt, that is clear.
We are sooooo scared of Newt, we are shaking in our boots,
and hiding behind the sofa.............Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Obama LANDSLIDE !
Not sure if this is taken into account with these polls, but a lot of Florida has already voted, with early voting and absentee voting. So if the poll was taken of "people likely to vote Tuesday", it cannot be at all accurate.
I love Ron Paul, but we as Americans are too into immediate gratification to wait for Paul's spot-on approach to work. We would overcorrect in the 2016 election, and then where would we be? Can you say Europe? We are going to have to suffer for a long time, people. Do we want to do it now or suffer even longer later?
As far as Gingrich – Romney goes, I can't believe people's stupidity about Gingrich. He would be a great accessory in an administration, but really people? President? The snap judgment after the SC CNN debate just proves my first point. John King is laughing all the way to his voting booth.
It is simply going to be a rocky ride until, and even long after, the majority of the American public wakes up and smells the coffee. I'm sorry to say it, but basic math proves it to be so.
The GOP is going to end up putting Obama back into office for another 4 years.
If Ron Paul does not get the nomination then Obama will get in office. either or, i cannot vote for these other corperate establishment socialists.
Ron Paul or BUST!
Gingrich is very smart. He delivers powerful speech.
Wow, only 9% of Floridians want freedom. These dumb-asses will get what they deserve. What a scary world.
Mitt is a "plastic" man with not much personality. But, when Newt speaks I automatically start rolling up my pant legs. I have never seen so much BS since I left the farm. I am afraid if the "fact checking" machine was being used when Newt was in a debate, it would be worn out by the time the debate was over.
newt = a low life form usually frequenting dark moist places under rocks and out of the sun.
Wow – talk about rapidly changing. Earlier today, Mitt had a lead of several points.
Gingrich will do well in the southern evangelical Bible belt, i.e. SC, GA, AL, MS, TX, AR. FL is a toss-up with the northern part being southern evangelical, but the remainder of the State more "mainstream". Personally, I don't see any way Gingrich can be the nominee. In any case, I don't believe any of the GOP contenders will beat Obama in 2012.
the rasmussen report is the best poll i no if some one knows any more please post it has newt ahead right now by 8 points i have never seen a cnn poll that was right
These polls mean nothing to me. Ron Paul is the only viable candidate!! Obama will win my a landslide unless Paul is on the ticket.
A question for the candidates at the debate: To what extent would you support normalization of relations with Cuba?
Is this true?
Romney tax returns reveal Romney had a "significant stake in Iranian oil and gas interests." Romney said, "I did not direct any of my investments nor did I know of those investments," [Washington Post, 8/15/2007] .
They are right. It is a dead heat among a bunch of dead heads.
Using any single poll if a flawed approach from the start. The most accurate polling summaries and analyses can be found at http://www.fivethirtyeight.com, where they compile and normalize all relevant polls into a more meaningful representation of the data gathered in each poll. The track record of this site (which was leased by the New York Times after the 2008 elections) is uncanny and immmensely accurate. That all said, fivethirtyeight.com currently has Gingrich with a 64% chance of winning (with 40% of the votes), Romney at 36% chance of winning (with 36.5% of the votes).
Newt resembles Richard Nixon in many ways – all undesirable. Arrogant, down-in-the-gutter way of fighting. Speaks a lot for those who support him.
.
Brainwashed people wanting more of the same thing that is bankrupting us. We will have nobody to blame but ourselves if we keep voluntarily electing these Keynesians in office.
The people on this post voting for Obama are scared that their foodstamps will be limited and the amount of their welfare checks cut in half
As far as i know Newt still cannot gather enough delegates because he isnt able to run in enough states... so exactly what is the point of his being in the race still?
Neither one of these men is fit to hold public office. Ron Paul is the least disgusting of the four, although he wants to eliminate programs that are crucial. People do not CHOOSE to be uninsured, they find themselves in that situation because their employer does not offer it and they cannot afford it. People with 2 part-time jobs are ineligible. No one should lose their home or file for bankruptcy because they can't pay a medical bill. The war in Iraq was much more costly than a national health care plan (with the public option, please) could ever be.
This is getting to be a sideshow what with the supporters yelling and carrying on. Rivals also will pad the hall with loud supporters not to be outdone by Gingrich. He is seductive and hypnotic. In another time Newt Gingrich might have sold snake oil.
Not surprising dead heat... Its like trying to decide what scent of enema you want to buy.
The only republican that has defeated Obama in the polls is the only republican not getting any coverage on CNN (Ron Paul). Interesting.
Do you think Palosi has pictures oh his shamalamadingdong?
Both of them are garbage. Not sure why anyone in their right mind would support these flip-flopping, smooth-talking, politicians. They care only for their own paychecks.
Ron Paul 2012.
I don't think that Floridians vote for Gingrich. They are more discerning about the merits of the candidates than the S. Carolina voters. Mr. Romeny will come out as winner in Florida. He can articulate better, and unlike Gingrich, is not combative and has clear ideas for his party.
Past performance.
Newt – Sleezy washington insider, this guy wrote the book on it.
Mitt – Wind up doll for wall street.
Sanctorus – If Hitler was the pope, rick is the devils spawn.
Rong Paul – Crazy old man dreaming about yesterday.
Obama – The only way out of this mess.
I can't believe how stupid Republican voters are. Gingrich will NOT win the general elections as everybody know this guy is dirty and can't be trusted (this is not even about he's personal life). He was a Freddie Mac lobbyist, an insensitive talker who has yapped racist tones against latinos, blacks, and arabs during interviews when angry, and a abominable record during his last year as being the speaker. During the debates, instead of answering issues put on him, he attacks the "styles" and "personal attacks on him" by Romney and the rest of the media SO HE CAN ESCAPE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS! Stupid GOP voters!
If Gingrich wins the GOP race, OBAMA WILL WIN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS! If Romney wins the GOP, then that would be a tough match to call!
Yea there sure is a lot of heat coming from from all the hate, negativity, and lies from Republicans and all of the candidates are definitely dead when it comes to electability. Just donate all these corporate billions yo Republicans are being bought with to the homeowners you suddenly claim to care about or to NASA that you suddenly now care about (at least while you were in FL) or to Medicare that you care about when you happen to be around seniors. End this nightmare now. President Obama is going to win and we Democrats are going to take back the House and get to a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Real work for the PEOPLE will then begin to happen and jobs and programs for the People will grow and the middle class will become important again with no Republicans stomping on us.
I can't believe how stupid Republican voters are. Gingrich will NOT win the general elections as everybody know this guy is dirty and can't be trusted (this is not even about his personal life). He was a Freddie Mac lobbyist, an insensitive talker who has yapped racist tones against latinos, blacks, and arabs during interviews when angry, and a abominable record during his last year as being the speaker. During the debates, instead of answering issues put on him, he attacks the "styles" and "personal attacks on him" by Romney and the rest of the media SO HE CAN ESCAPE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS! Stupid GOP voters!
If Gingrich wins the GOP race, OBAMA WILL WIN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS! If Romney wins the GOP, then that would be a tough match to call!
The best thing is to wait and see what the Florida Republicans do. The polls are generally meaningless
I can't believe how stupid Republican voters are. Gingrich will NOT win the general elections as everybody knows this guy is dirty and can't be trusted (this is not even about his personal life). He was a Freddie Mac lobbyist, an insensitive talker who has yapped racist tones against latinos, blacks, and arabs during interviews when angry, and a abominable record during his last year as being the speaker. During the debates, instead of answering issues put on him, he attacks the "styles" and "personal attacks on him" by Romney and the rest of the media SO HE CAN ESCAPE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS! Stupid GOP voters!
If Gingrich wins the GOP race, OBAMA WILL WIN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS! If Romney wins the GOP, then that would be a tough match to call!
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...snork...huh, what? Oh – same clowns in the race...back to sleep now...
Way to go CNN! Keep propping up Romney! Newt is going to rain on the Romney parade again come Tuesday!
If you want to know what the priority was that Bain Capital placed on job creation, go read their mission statement at their web site.
It says a whole lot about delivering returns for their investors. Not jobs. Jobs detract from profits.
Gingrich always tries to find a small patch of moral high ground on which to stand. No matter how tiny.
Newt Gingrich insisted Wednesday in Miami that there was nothing similar about his personal failings and those of Bill Clinton—even though both men were having extramarital affairs in the late '90s. And Gingrich, as speaker of the House, tried to impeach Clinton over his.
Pressed during a forum at Univision—the Spanish-speaking television network—about the hypocrisy involved when “at same time he was doing the exact same thing,” Gingrich was indignant.
It wasn’t the same thing, Gingrich repeatedly insisted. “I didn’t do the same thing,” he said. “I didn’t lie under oath. I didn’t commit a felony.” He added that in his own divorce depositions, he told the truth—which Clinton did not when asked about Monica Lewinsky.
Undaunted, journalist Jorge Ramos kept the heat on, provoking Gingrich to testily say, "There’s some place here where there’s a mental synapse missing," since the questioner was still insisting they did the same thing.
Moving along, Gingrich was then asked about ex-wife Marianne’s charge that he asked for an open marriage so he could continue his affair with now-current wife, Callista. This time, Gingrich did not snap at the questioner—as he had when CNN’s John King made the same inquiry during a debate last week. “It’s not true,” he said crisply.
Can GOP rank and file overcome their prejudice against Mormons? Newt would be gone already except for that.
As the GOP get dragged more to the extreme right so they blow their chances.
Has Romney even won a single primary yet? If not then why is still being considered a front runner?
Crazy Uncle, so this is all a plot to deny Ron Paul, that paragon of virtue, a state he's decided to pass on? Ron Paul, the new American Fascist.
Here is my question for Ron Paul supporters (in all honesty..no antagonism meant)
Why would I really want to advocate for 'States Rights' if given my experience, I consider it a harmful national practice?
I LOVE BOTH GINGRICH AND ROMNEY :O
No matter who wins i hope they pick the other candidate as a running mate
MITT/NEWT 2012
The opening line says it all...'Dead Heat..'..as in both Romney and Newt are dead in the water against President Obama...
Newt is only HURTING the republicans chances of beating Obama. Come on Mitt Romney.
President Romney
Vice President Christie
Hmm, do I vote for the guy who divorced his cancer-stricken wife while she was in the hospital undergoing treatment, or the guy who strapped a dog to the roof of his car and drove to Canada? It's hard to decide which!
I have nothing to say. All is well.
Newt cant wait for Romney to kick him out, he doesn't want to be a President (because no one from Republican establishment will allow him) , but maaan he will make money for being second...... THIS IS NEWT a money making machine. He will bombard us with his books ,I bet one of those books name will be "How this idiots almost made me a President".
Mmmer: umm, because you understand that the Const.itution is the law of the land and it mandates states rights.
LOL at Newt balancing the budget. Without the tax increases Clinton insisted on before agreeing to welfare reform, the budget would have been just as bad as Bush's. We have to face facts here – to balance the budget and pay down the debt, we either agree to raise taxes or gut Social Security, Medicare and the military. Since no one wants to gut these programs (although I'd get behind gutting the military), a combination of taxes and cuts is necessary. Personally, I think we should raise taxes until the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are paid for completely – our children had nothing to do with these wars (either did I, but I'd rather pay for them now than make my kids pay for them).
CNN's own poll of web site readers clearly indicated most who voted wanted Ron Paul as the nominee. What happened to those results? Can't believe that only Mitt and Newt are the chosen by the people. Face it everyone, the game is rigged.
9% Are awake. 91% are still sleeping.
Fake poll is fake.CNN just held a poll ,who was going to be the best republican candidate to beat Obama and Ron Paul came out 1st with 35% of the votes or 98,000 voters.Romney came 2nd with 33% and 94,000
Most foreign dictators have fewer moral and ethical problems than Newt. Way to go America for even considering someone that Nasty. Ron Paul Revolution!
I got two words for you: Hanging Chads
'Nuf said...
Enough already! Can we just clear the stage of the GOP clowns?!?!?!
TheRealTomPaine (sic): if you were a real modern day Tom Paine you'd support Ron Paul. So either join the team, or change your name is my advice.
Republicans stand united in the statement that there most important objective is to defeat Obama. It's not jobs for Americans. Republicans obstruct any legislation that is good for the nation as a part of the plan to make Obama look bad so he can be defeated. Republicans don't care about the nation. Obama has done nothing but work to advance jobs and do what is best for the nation. Republicans and their business supporters don't care about the nation, only themselves.
"BREAKING NEWS: Florida Republicans can't tell who's the greater sleazeball" would've been a more honest headline.
only 369 people. whatev cnn.
Obama didn't mention anything about national debt increasing and his healthcare insurance plan; penalizing rich people can't make our economy better. Bringing back foreign outsourcing is not that easy for many companies. His stimulation program is not working either. RP is only solution for 2012 election.
Newt don’t care these Polls he can change these numbers in 48hrs He did it SC he will do it Fl too
How could anyone with a sane mind vote for Gingrich? He was kicked out of Congress for christs sake!!!
I don't care who the Repblican candidate is, or what smear campaign Pelosi or others come up with, I'm voting Republican and I'm voting against Obama.
4 more years of Obama and capitalism and American exceptionalism are toast.
Jop candidates they trying harder to win in florida but mitt rommey newt gingrich ron paul santorum all themes are anti imingrants becaus want to established laws that will let local police asking people for their residences / in that's case alone it's maken me personally hates voting for any republicans
I cannot believe either of them have made it this far! There was a time when you ran for President Example: like Obama, to make things better, ran with idea's and didn't give up.
Still, Neither one has a plan. My guess is, they plan on losing. I do not trust Romney or Newt. Period. Both of them disgust me.
Newt looks like the white Sherman Klump from "The Nutty Professor." Mitt looks like Mel Gibson. Conservatives can vote for the guy that mistreats women or the guy that looks like someone who does.
America.. We NEED MItt, and should be thrilled he is running!! No more Washington insiders! We need a smart business man that knows how to create jobs and get the economy moving forward! He has a proven track record. Let's not mess this up. VOTE FOR MITT!!!!! VOTE FOR MITT!!!!
Up, down, up down..this is how it works folks. Mitt will win some, Newt will win some and the nominee will be selected at the convention in August.
The poll is baloney, and Diebold will take care of the rest.
End the war. End the Fed. End the federal income tax.
Come on Republicans, vote for the lying, adulterous hypocrite. Vote Newt 2012 ! "You can do it. Yes you can !"
Not Surprised. Florida is just as backwards and racist as South Carolina. Newt is going to win in most of the southern states where his racially charged rhetoric holds weight.
Ron Paul, if you want a future
Gerald Rampton wrote:
Undaunted, journalist Jorge Ramos kept the heat on, provoking Gingrich to testily say, "There’s some place here where there’s a mental synapse missing," since the questioner was still insisting they did the same thing.
-----------------
According to Newt's own rationale for bringing impeachment charges against Clinton, which is why he was testifying before Congress in the first place, the did do the same thing.
Gingrich brought Clinton up for impeachment because of "character" issues. At the time Newt defended the action by saying that an adulterer is unfit to be POTUS. Newt is projecting the issue to a non sequitor. The issue is the reason why he impeached Clinton in the first place, which was because Newt felt that Clinton was an adulterer.
You gotta be kidding.....Mr. G is a smooth talker with a history of deceptive qualities. a tremendous diservice will be done should we give him the nomination. Bad Idea
Gingrich will never garner independent support, he is an amoral and egotistical hypocrite. Santorum won't either, since he practically advocates turning the US into a theocracy. Ron Paul doesn't get enough coverage for people to get to know his stance on issues and until the media gives him a fair shake he won't gain enough credibility to be taken seriously. Romney may be a flip flopper and is definitely out-of-touch with normal Americans, but is more moderate and that could help him. Obama, sadly, is the only real choice for independents. If last night's State of the Union address is really the direction he will try to take the country, then he's worth investing another 4 years in. Until the GOP can put up a relatable candidate who isn't a slave to corporations and greed, they're doomed to give Dems the White House. And after Congress's performance this past year, it'd take a lot of apathetic voters not to boot them out this next go around.
Do they still hang chads in Florida ?
Maybe they should just hang the candidates.
Start with Noot, i wanna see his eye balls pop out.
When they hang Mittens, we find out he is a robot,
when he starts leaking oil and springs.
Ron Paul will drop dead of a heart attack,
and we find Widdle Wicky on his knees
praying that gays stop throwing glitter on him.
Is the clown car empty yet ?
that is funny, everybody I know is voting for Ron Paul and knows that everybody else is a crook. And those who are not voting for him either like Obumer or just say "Ron Paul can't win". So instead of voting for somebody who can save the country, they think they will win the lottery if they pick the winner of the election. Just shows you how stupid and brainwashed Americans are.
THESE POLLS ARE MADE UP!!! They are just try to force feed these crooks an sensor Ron Paul.
Riley: I don't think Christie would agree to it (VP), but if he would, and if Romney would announce that now, it could very well seal the election. I wish they were working on it.
Those of you who think Obama is the answer are the very people who need to wake up. I agree he is the most dynamic speaker of the bunch. I agree he is eloquent and smart. Make him poet laureate. He has a capacity for denial regarding this economy that is taking us deeper and deeper. Of course he did not start it. But we need to deal in the here and now, and we are in trouble. I want to love him, but Obama does not have the answers.
Please wake up, everyone. We are creating a nightmare for our children!
Go Romney! – so what if he is rich, he is also intelligent and not as corrupt as NEWTY.
With these two candidates Republicans unfortunately don't have a chance. We are looking at another four years with Obama
Ron Paul might as well withdraw. By walking away from Florida, he's walked away from the election. Every time he pulls low teens or single digits in a primary, voters in subsequent primary states write him off as a wasted vote. Not only that, he has forfeited what little media time he might have gotten for the next two weeks. It's game over.
Obama v. Romney = Obama by single percentage points
Obama v Gin Grinch = Obama by double digits
Obama v Saniterium = Rick and Newtered can room with Hinkley
Obama v RuPaul (Hey RuPaul would have a better chance).... the Miltary would kill him after he tried to get rid of the Army
@Thanos: Newt's got no chance of winning here in Virginia. He failed to even get on the ballot, which makes our primary kinda boring.
Many people are unaware of the fact that when Romney was asked by his old employer, Bill Bain, to come back to Bain & Company as CEO to rescue the firm from bankruptcy, Romney left Bain Capital to work at Bain & Company for an annual salary of one dollar. When Romney went to the rescue of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, he accepted no salary for three years, and wouldn’t use an expense account. He also accepted no salary as Governor of Massachusetts.
It's called Character for those that don't recognize it! It's something we desperately need in our American leaders!
MEDIA BLACKOUT: NEWT AND SANTORUM CANNOT WIN. To secure the GOP nomination, a candidate needs at least 1145 of the 2288 delegates. Gingrich and Santorum are not on the ballots in states that will provide a total of 564 delegates Missouri, Illinois, Dist of Columbia, Ohio and Virginia . That means that one or the other needs 66.42% of the remaining 1,724 delegates to reach 1,145. This is it people. Moderate progressive Romney or Libertarian Conservative Ron Paul...–Jason Thompson.
What will Republicans do?
OK, we have the greedy flip-flopper that real only understands and supports the 1%
vs.
the flip-flopping mean guy that is in it for his ego.
The greedy establishment part of the party will go for their own, Romney.
The angry Tea Partiers will go for Gingrich. They like mean.
The social conservative/evangelicals/born again Christians will go for...
Well probably not for the social conservative, Santorum, if South Carolina is any guide.
Certainly not for the libertarian, Paul. He'll just get libertarians to vote for him.
Well, they have the 1%er that is a family guy and a Mormon and the mean guy that has the most questionable personal morals seen for a long time in a Presidential candidate. Well, the social conservatives are mad. I predict they'll go for the mean guy, Gingrich, over the family guy, Romney.
To the two worst Republican presidential wannabe's; "Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever”
The man who is POTUS now is the only one who should be POTUS!
Obama/Biden 2012
Wow, we're in 2012, and so many commentors STILL believe that public voting actually decides the outcome for American presidency and agendas?
I will be voting for Mitt Romney and hoping for a good veep!!!
I will not vote for Barack Obama or any other Democrat – ever!
Obama is not going to 'destroy America' and he isn't trying to. If anything, he saved America from implosion in year one. He was not given enough credit for diverting the economic distaster that could have truly 'destroyed' America. He has been an excellent president and deserves relection. He's got my vote. Obama 2012!!
Let me get this straight...CNN has done the same thing for the last three states. Also remember Floridians have a problem when it comes to voting.
We'll get the results in about 4 or 5 months
He turned me into a NEWT...but I got better.
Romney...The 15 %ter
Santorum...Jesus NO!
Paul...Google Frank Zappa & Ron Paul (or go to You Tube)
Obama/Clinton = The race has been won before it began.
Newt hit on Pelosi.
Pelosi hit Newt.
Story at eleven.
RON PAUL is what America needs. the establishment knows that he is the one that can change everything so they rarely or dont even show anything about Ron Paul so that lazy and ignorant Americans can put another puppet in office to do anything that the GREEDY lobbyists orders him to do...RON PAUL
Let's see. The guy who was forced out of the House after supposed ethics violations, who gets kick-backs from taxpayer funded GSEs, and who is a serial adulterer is now surging in the polls? Is that really the best we can do?
Twiddle-da and twiddle-dee.
About Newt:
Are you guys forgetting he is just a good speaker thats it, he acts tough he is a draft dodger -proven. He is a lobbyist-proven, he caused chaos in congress they voted him out-proven. He is running on a platform of conservative values and divorced 2 wives to get a younger one -proven. He wants war with Iran -proven and he will not repeal the NDAA bill-proven.
go Mitt..cult leader and millionaire so out of touch with people its ridiculous, and Newt..well sad day indeed
On Univision and in Miami today, the Cuban community in the thousands rallied for Newt. Mitt should win Fla. because of his fine organ. but if Newt wins, a hurricane will be flowing all through the primary states.
I can't believe that Newt and Romney are all the repubican has to offer. None of them worth the office of the presidency of United States.
Dead heat for Florida race:
The Dead: 90% of the Republican base...they just won't lie down yet (too old and stubborn I suppose)
The heat: It was rather warm today.
Florida: The land of the old farts with no clue.
All Obama has to do is get white old people to start telling everyone in Florida that the Republicans are going to take away their SS payments and Medicare and he will win the state. They will believe anything an old white person says to them.
Cnn is a joke. santorum romney and gingrich are lying, war mongering a holes who will do nothing but drive our nation and world into the ground even more. Ron Paul is the only one who pursue peace and who offers real solutions to solving our debt crisis. Mainstream media supports the status quo, is clearly biased, and does so, because the same big corporations who own all of the politicians in power and the military industrial complex, also own mainstream media and all of the networks. Our nation is a joke. And the informed of our nation have realized this, especially the youth of America. That is why the youth support Ron Paul, because he supports peace, is dignified and honest, while the rest are liars who will just tell you whatever they think you want to hear, pander to corporate lobbyist, and the old, dying, dinosaur republican baby-boomers who put this nation into the mess it is in today, support these morons because they believe they are right in the warmongering, establishment efforts in their twisted version of a conservative, honest reality. What -a -joke.
►Doozer
I just polled two kids in my house.
One wants pizza
the other wants pisketti.◄
LMAO – and what is a mom/dad to do???
Please Mitt or anybody but Newt .. does he not remind you of those Presidents in the TV show 24 w/ Keither Sutherland .. scary
Why is the Internet filled with so many paranoid conspiracy theorists? Seriously you need to get over yourselves, just because you don't like the outcome of a poll doesn't mean they're fake.
When you don't have a real candidate, this is what you get, a mixed bag of nuts. LOL.
President Barack Obama is a man of action, he is the greatest figure the world ever known.
Ask Newt about his second wife again, maybe he'll pop a vein onstage.
Dum and Dumber .... So glad im not republican. Thats gotta hurt.
This needs to be one of the last debates for a while – I'm with McCain – enough of this. In fact, I've seen more than enough and don't expect that any of the candidates can make a marginal difference in how voters view them. The GOP should consider that if the debate exposure of their candidates becomes overkill, it could backfire on them. It's hard to erase the unflattering images of Mitt and Newt on stage thus far – and then have it blown out of proportion by shows like Comedy Central. There was a lesson to be learned back in 2004 when Sarah was ridiculed and became a detriment to the ticket.
@ Keola: "I'm sorry, but how does being divorsed have anything to do with your profession? I don't care if someone was married 37 times, if they get the job done who cares! But none of the four canidates will do spit with the pit of hell that American is heading for."
The issues are not Newt being twice-divorced (although in my view it should matter if one is running to be POTUS), the issues that people have trouble with are 1) the fact that Newt was pushing for Clinton's impeachment while he was cheating on his second wife sleeping with Callista, 2) that he divorced both of his wives shortly after they were diagnosed with severe and life-altering disease (first wife with cancer and second with MS), and 3) his personal life actions are darn good indication of his characterl.
News, news, news. Keep stoking those fires. The conventions are months away. It's the hare ahead–no its the tortoise-no, it's Jeb Bush!
The closer they are the better, then it really does not matter which on wins since Florida's delagates are awarded proportionally. At this point all Florida means is that the race will continue elsewhere and possible that one or two of the lesser candidates might drop out after they show poorly.
Gingrich, is a smart man and I hopes he beats Romney, I do not trust Romney, I am a conservative, but if it comes down between Obama & the Romney, MY VOTE is for OBAMA, although I hope GINGRICH, wins!!!
the fact that anyone would vote for either of those clowns proves how dumbed down of a society we've become.
ron paul will get gingrich' delegates when he quits in june since he knows paul since the 70's, ron is true conservative, he is for state rights, knows more state's senators and governors, has the republican youth, can attract independents and democrats, has the right foreign policy, is evangelical and is not romney.
The greatest threat to The United States right now is all about economics. The reason we go to war is because the government has to borrow money to do it. Thereby increasing the profits for the Federal Reserve. (which is a PRVATELY HELD FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION) Research for yourselves Goldman-Sachs and find out where there former executives end up. If you're too lazy, I'll tell ya. They end up at our Federal Reserve, our treasury department and as the heads of numerous European central banks, the World Bank and the IMF. Find out where their campaign contributions go. The countries we go to war with are based entirely upon their unwillingness to continue to use the US Dollar in their trading. If you plan to vote for anyone other than Ron Paul, then I sugest you learn some survival skills and purchase the neccessary supplies to ensure your families well being as the US economy will collapse entirely. Broaden your perspective by looking for news sources outside the US and take a look at the other side of the pond. Once Europe completely falls apart, the US will collapse shortly after. The transfer of wealth from the United States people, to the tune of trillions of dollars, will destroy this country. Research this for yourself, don't take my word for it, you won't believe me until you do. Look up the results of the partial Fed audit, the bailouts for the US banks and the bailout of the Euro. That was YOUR money, and it's gone. You won't get it back. Not with Romney. Not with Gingrich and not with Obama.
What is up with support for Newt? He's like a mentally crippled Boss Hogg. Do we want Boss Hogg for president?
He cant stay focused on anything, he makes stuff up whole cloth, he's almost as insane as Bachman and Palin, EVERYONE who has ever worked with him says "Good grief, dont elect that guy, he's unstable", he has direct ties to the corrupt lenders that caused our current economic crisis, he has had EIGHTY FOUR ethics-violations on his record – Whats the deal? Are people scared that Romney seems too boring? Romney makes money by smart economic choices and investing, Newt by consulting with criminals. I'm probably going to vote for Obama, but good grief – Romney is the only guy on the other side who doesn't seem like a... I dont even know what to say. President Nice-Hair vs President Narcissitic Boss Hogg crazy evil guy?
And yes, Ron Paul seems like a nice guy, and is popular among a very narrow segment of students and under-18, and aside from some unfortunately too-far-out-there ideas, he does seem pretty smart – but c'mon.
Any party that honestly puts forth people like Bachmann, Perry, Newt, Palin etc – what is wrong with you people?
Romney has an extremely viable chance of defeating Obama. Newt has zero chance, Paul has less than zero chance.
Throw them both in the commode. The terd that floats wins the nomination and gets the privelege of being flushed down by Obama in November.
The only person that stands a chance of defeating Obama in 2012 is Romney. If Newt gets the nomination, the DEMS HAVE LITTLE TO FEAR for re-election
Ron Paul 2012!!!!!!!!!
Anybody else out there remember how great 'states' rights' was? It might work if people would learn to treat one another with respect. Sometimes the federal government just has to walk the little girl into school.
Why isn't anyone reporting the fact that neither Santorum or Gingrich can win the delegate count needed for the nomination?Newt isn't on the ballot in Virginia,Missouri,or Ohio!Santorum isn't on the ballot in Virginia or Illinois.They would have to get at least 60% of the vote from here on out!Only Romney and Paul are on the ballot in ALL 50 states!
The Republican clown car is headed for Florida. Good place for it. They should just stay there with the senile old fogies.
Choosing between the Pillsbury Doughboy and a Ken doll is no choice at all.
The other clown who is in office now ain't doing such a great job either. He's had almost four years to get it done. Time for a new President in the taxpayer's house.
newts will endorse ron paul and give him his delegates and santorum will endorse romney and give him his delegates. but most unpledged delegates probably go to ron paul. if romney doesn't win on first ballot, i hope he doesn't, ron paul wins on second ballot. we will have a president that will save our country.
Paul is polling below Santorum both nationally and in Florida?
Oh well. I guess my vote will go to Obama in November. It has been either Paul or Obama for some time now, but Republicans just can't see past their 'Anybody but Obama' rhetoric to the real situation.