Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum’s near-victory in the Iowa Caucuses Tuesday should move him up in national polling; in the Economist/YouGov Poll (Week of 12/31/2011) conducted just before the caucuses he was running fourth, behind former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul.
In fact, Santorum was tied with Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is currently reevaluating his campaign, at 8% support from registered voters who said they would vote in a GOP primary or caucus this year. In the weekend’s polling, Romney emerged as the clear frontrunner for the first time, with 30% support.
GOP voters remain unsettled about the race; just 41% this week say they are satisfied with the candidates now running. More than one in four want other options; the rest are not sure.
But GOP voters are attentive — 82% of them are following the campaign closely.
Photo source: Press Association
