Election 2012: New Hampshire Republican Primary

New Hampshire: Romney 34%, Gingrich 24%, Paul 14%, Huntsman 11%

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

What a difference a month makes in the race for the Republican nomination. In September, Rick Perry was leading in Iowa and running second in New Hampshire. In October, Herman Cain took the lead in Iowa and was running second in New Hampshire. Now, it’s Newt Gingrich’s turn.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Republican Primary voters in New Hampshire shows former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney on top at 34%, followed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 24%. This is the first survey of New Hampshire Primary voters conducted since the Manchester Union Leader endorsed Gingrich. Seventy-six percent (76%) were able to identify Gingrich as the candidate who had received the endorsement from the influential statewide newspaper. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Ten points behind Gingrich is Texas Congressman Ron Paul at 14%, and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman follows at 11%. No other candidates are in double digits. Businessman Herman Cain is down to five percent (5%) support, followed by Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann at two percent (2%), Texas Governor Rick Perry at two percent (2%) and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum with one percent (1%). One percent (1%) support some other candidate, and six percent (6%) are still undecided.

The race remains fluid, however. Among those with a preference at this time, only 42% are certain that they will vote for that candidate in the January 10 primary.

The numbers in New Hampshire show Romney’s support down seven points from a month ago, while Gingrich has gained 16 points. Cain was the biggest loser over the past month, dropping 12 points. Ron Paul’s support has inched up three points, and Huntsman has gained four. Gingrich also has moved into the lead in Iowa. Gingrich’s remark that the Occupy Wall Street protesters should take a bath and get a job is widely supported among Republicans and strongly rejected by Democrats.

“From the beginning, the race for the GOP nomination has been between Mitt Romney and I’m not Mitt Romney,â€