Romney Gains In South Carolina, ... Iowa, Too?

The narrative of the new CNN poll out of South Carolina will be that Huckabee is on top. That shouldn't be surprising given recent trends. But as I personally don't believe Huckabee will be around at the end, there's another important post-speech development, too.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who led in July with 30 percent, dropped to a tie for third with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, both at 16 percent. Romney's showing was a major improvement of his 6 percent standing in the previous survey.

None of Mitt's new found support came from Thompson, who only ever reached 18 points.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson was second with 17 percent, slightly down from his previous 18 percent.

If Huckabee is derailed, Thompson may, or may not win SC as the vote falls away. But Romney is definitely gaining momentum, just as one local report out of Iowa suggests.

Could Romney be Making a Comeback in Iowa?

Those who view today’s webcast will see an interview I conducted with IowaNewsTalk’s (KFFF) Jamie Johnson. Because of his position as a broadcaster, Johnson has remained neutral in the GOP presidential race. Consequently, I find him to be far more informed than most political pundits on the ground.

Here’s what the national media missed coming out of the Republican debate held earlier this week in Iowa:

While the debate seemed boring and the press dubbed it a non-event, residents of Iowa deemed it the most important GOP event of the season. In other words, it probably moved more voters than anything heretofore.

Romney was viewed by most to have won the debate by looking the most “presidential.” Huckabee stood his ground, but apparently is suffering from a barrage of slick sheet mailers and phone calls directed at him by both the Thompson and Romney campaigns.

Johnson believes that Thompson finally hit his stride, but most potential Thompson voters have already given up on his chances in Iowa.

The bottoml ine is that there may be a drift back towards Romney among those who moved towards Huckabee but were not solid in their support.

Comments

[seekeronos]

"--- Johnson believes that Thompson finally hit his stride, but most potential Thompson voters have already given up on his chances in Iowa. ---"

Fred! may be hitting his stride, but I think a too little too late. *cries*

I'm calling the primary for Romney... a tad early, mind you, but I think he is the only one who has the spin machine, the cash, and once Huckabee slides down the toilet like last night's Mexican dinner - it's only a matter of time, because the former Huckabots will probably throw their votes grudgingly at fourth-tier spoilers, or will go with the obvious winner by voting Romney in spite of any Mormon misgivings.

I say this b/c Rudy is likely the *last* guy the former Huckabot voters will support.

(Now in an ideal world... they would all vote for the Fred!... but wishes... horses... riding beggars.)