Polls Show Tight Republican Race; Huckabee, Romney, McCain Appear Strong

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Dec 21, 2007   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Polls Show Tight Republican Race; Huckabee, Romney, McCain Appear Strong Email this article
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 21,
2007

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — With less than two weeks to go before Iowa voters head to their caucuses, polls show a very tight Republican race there and in other leading primary battleground states. Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and John McCain appear the strongest in the polls while Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul are weaker.

The latest Iowa surveys show Mike Huckabee’s surge has ended and Mitt Romney has regained some of the support he lost to the former Arkansas governor.

Huckabee averages about 30 percent in six polls released during the last few days after reaching 35 percent. Romney comes in with the backing of 25 percent of Iowa Republicans — a level he’s been at for months.

With a recent surge as other candidates have attacked each other, John McCain is now tied third in Iowa along with Fred Thompson with the support of about 10 percent of voters there. Giulaini continues to fade and has the backing of just 9 percent and Ron Paul has yet to eclipse the 6 percent mark.

In New Hampshire, McCain’s surge this week is more evident.

The Arizona senator now trails Romney but a 32 to 23 percentage point margin in an average of the last six polls taken in the Granite State. Romney has gained slightly over the last few weeks but McCain has jumped about eight points.

Giuliani recently announced that he is pulling out of New Hampshire and his slide there continues. He now enjoys the support of just 15 percent of voters there.

Mike Huckabee’s surge helped him in New Hampshire, but only slightly and he remains at about 10 percent in the polls in this more liberal state. Ron Paul’s momentum in New Hampshire seems to have stalled as he is stuck at 7 percent, but this recent fundraising could spark more growth in the next three weeks.

Michigan and Nevada provide two unheralded contests between the two top battleground states and South Carolina.

Polls have been sporadic in both states, but they show Romney, Huckabee and Giuliani as the top three in both.

Strong showings by Romney and Huckabee could help them in these states, Giuliani may fade if his poor early performances take their toll, and Fred Thompson and John McCain need good news in Iowa and New Hampshire, respectively, to have much hope of placing well in these two transitional states.

When the campaign moves to South Carolina, all of the top-tier candidate appear to have a chance.

Huckabee’s surge has propelled him into first place with an average of 26 percent in four recent surveys. Romney is close behind with 19 percent, Thompson has 14 percent and McCain and Giuliani are tried at 13 percent.

The closeness of the race is seen in the division of pro-life endorsements.

Thompson enjoys strong backing from Right to Life groups, Huckabee has the support of numerous pro-family leaders, McCain has former candidate Sam Brownback’s backing, and Romney has some pro-life leaders and numerous pro-life members of Congress.