Poll: Gingrich is new Republican leader

Newt Gingrich appears to be the latest benefactor of the ever-changing race for the Republican presidential nomination. He is now the leader in Public Policy Polling's latest poll.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The latest results show Gingrich polling at 28 percent, followed closely by Herman Cain at 25 percent. Mitt Romney has 18 percent according to the poll. The other Republican challengers have collapsed. Rick Perry has 6 percent, Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul 5 percent, Jon Huntsman 3 percent, and Gary Johnson and Rick Santorum each have a mere 1 percent.

Gingrich has gone up by 13 points compared to last month, while Cain has dropped by five points presumably amid allegations of misconduct while working in the restaurant industry.

Republican voters appear to be casting about for a viable candidate that can beat Obama, and they have cast their favor upon multiple candidates in their turn. Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and most recently Herman Cain have all enjoyed their turns at the head of the Republican pack. Newt Gingrich has consistently polled very low, but his persistence may finally be paying off.

Political experts consistently argue that Newt Gingrich appears to be the most sensible and intellectual of the Republican candidates, but he does not have the charisma of Perry or Cain.

Perry, who burst onto the Republican field on the same day as the Ames, Iowa straw poll, was long assumed to be the Republican favorite. He has already raised more money than any of the other candidates, and enjoyed a strong double digit lead over his closest challenger who at that time was Mitt Romney. However, a series of poor performances during the debates has hurt his public image. Last week, he infamously forgot one of the three government agencies that he said he was planning to cut -- a major gaffe.

Meanwhile, Romney has not inspired Republicans. Despite the mistakes made by his challengers, Romney remains solid but uninteresting to many voters. He has consistently polled in second place since Rick Perry announced his candidacy. However, his support has been solid, fluctuating only slightly since July.

Although President Obama's poll numbers remain low, providing Republicans with a clear opportunity to retake the White House in 2012, Obama has a well-run, well organized, and well-financed campaign shaping up. 

The Republicans have their work cut out for them, and very little time in which to finish it.

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