Florida Polls Show Big Jump For Newt Gingrich After South Carolina

WASHINGTON -- Newt Gingrich's improbable late January surge appears to be rolling into Florida, as a new poll confirms that victory in the South Carolina primary produced a "big jump" in the former House speaker's support with just six days remaining before the Florida primary.

The new survey by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute shows former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney still narrowly leading Gingrich, 36 to 34 percent, in interviews conducted among 601 likely Republican primary voters from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23. But on roughly half of the interviews conducted since Saturday's South Carolina primary, Gingrich moves from trailing Romney by 11 percentage points on the Quinnipiac poll (26 to 37 percent), to a six-point lead (40 to 34 percent).

Quinnipiac's new survey, which used live interviewers and sampled Florida voters over both landline and mobile telephones, confirmed the same trend measured by other surveys conducted entirely after the South Carolina vote. Three automated, recorded-voice surveys, by the Democratic pollsters Public Policy Polling (PPP), NewsMax/Insider Advantage and Rasmussen Reports, showed Gingrich leading (by margins of 5, 8 and 9 percentage points, respectively). Two more polls, an automated survey by WeAskAmerica and a poll of undisclosed methodology sponsored by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, showed a roughly dead-even race between Romney and Gingrich.

The HuffPost Pollster Chart, based on all available public polls in Florida, shows the latest surge for Gingrich and currently gives him a slight edge over Romney, 34.4 to 33.7 percent. A simple average of results from interviews conducted after the South Carolina primary, however, would give Gingrich a slightly larger advantage (36.3 to 32.3 percent).

More data from the Quinnipiac University poll underscores the potential for further volatility in voter preferences in the six days remaining before the Florida primary election. Thirty-eight percent of those currently supporting one of the candidates say they may still change their minds before the election, and another 7 percent of all voters are undecided. Roughly the same number of Gingrich and Romney supporters said they might still change their minds.

CORRECTION: The original version of this article misstated the margin between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich on the full Quinnipiac poll and incorrectly reported the Gingrich lead in the PPP poll.

Comments

[anne1stoftwo]

06:26 PM on 02/14/2012

Great, Newt the judge and jurist over Bill Clintons morals could possibly become President. And the so called Moral Majority Christian Based People are supporting him. What does that say about the Country and Christians? Nothing good. No wonder the rest of the world hates us and laughs at us. We are truly stupid to even consider this Clown and his most IMMORAL Wife.

[sweethonesty7787]

04:18 PM on 01/26/2012

Go Newt Go! You can take the blows and punches! Take America Back!!!!

[Word of God speak]

02:08 PM on 01/26/2012

God, What a wonderful place to read the liberal left. I cant wait for Newt to begin taking this lying socialist apart one on one. and, He will take Obama apart! Once the lies and ineptitude and just general all around stupidity of this president is shown to all the people who really dont pay attention till the final part of this process is brought down to the level of understanding needed to get through to them(I know running sentence,so read it and shut up) The jig will finally be up and we will not only re-elect a new Republican Senate but probably the first genius level president ever. And you all can write your unbelieving sorrowful notes here for the next 8 yrs!!!

[anne1stoftwo]

06:30 PM on 02/14/2012

Lying? ok... Man you need help !!! The guy has the morals of an alley cat and his wife is known more for lip locks on male anatomy than for her choir singing. They are no Christians and you for sure are not.

[Arn Arn]

10:58 AM on 01/26/2012

Newt cares for us. He's on our side. Just because he's been married so many times doesn't mean he's incapable of being devoted to the entire country. OK, I couldn't type that without laughing.

[ideassoul]

10:35 AM on 01/26/2012

Newt will be going to end and he will make Romney life miserable. Romney made a big mistake when he took on Newt personal issues. Newt and Romney will destroy themselves it will be like when two lions fight for a mate, both of them are going to finish very bad wounded. I always says that Newt is most interested in destroying Romney than winer the election. President Obama is smart intelligent and most people are looking at the Republican Party that does not have a plan to save this country from the missery that was left by Bush. I have the feeling Obama is goint to be reelected he already have an army of volunteers!
Ideassoul

[mcbots]

04:13 PM on 01/26/2012

I hope someone can save the country, it sure won't be Mr. Spock.

[ideassoul]

09:31 AM on 01/27/2012

President Obama will be reelected. GOP is in a real problem they have any body there that offer a plan to save the country and playing the race card and immigration issues. Most TV comentateor talk about the Cuban community and that most of them
voteRepublican.

[Shelley Peterson]

07:56 PM on 01/27/2012

You are a smart one, Yes Pres. Obama will definitely be re-elected without a doubt!!

[marilread]

06:14 AM on 01/26/2012

gingrich and romney in a dead heat...what about donald trump

Elections are very much poll bound. Everything that develops on a day to day basis is based on the reporting of polls,the advertising,speeches,knocking on doors,speeches as they are aimed at certain interest groups.polls have such an exacting influence and they are so acceptable as being correct,they are never doubted. What does it say of this election...it will go on for many states and will not be decided as soon as we thought. One thing i did notice,donald trump who was silent for so long is now on the horizon, saying he may launch an independene candidacy. This may not sound like an attempt to defeat a republican rival,but something more sobering:if the perceived winner is someone who is unelectable, it certainly couldnt hurt in his eyes to run. That's his choice...and certainly not a bad choice...but more than likely it will be based on the electability of the candidate...in politics nothing is for sure..so stay tuned. Although we did see him out and about on tv here,with a beaming daughter.

[JuliaDemJules2020]

03:57 AM on 01/26/2012

Hey Fig Newton do not go getting excited about winning the GOTP race. While Romney has face plastered all over Monopoly money now the both of them are in the GOTP party the same party wih Herman Cain and Sarah Palin. Polluted. They are one and the same. Some are wose then others.

The choice is clear Obama 2012 and The House

[denise rae]

03:41 AM on 01/26/2012

Well as a IND if NG gets the nod I will not be voting for him. We need a third party candidate.

[corkey Dickey]

03:41 AM on 01/26/2012

For those of you that are going to vote fpr Gingrich I just have one thing to say ARE YOU CRAZY!!!!!!

[Arn Arn]

11:02 AM on 01/26/2012

Unfortunately republicans to not vote based on facts, they vote straight republican no matter who is running. If Glenn Beck were to run, most republicans would vote for him.

[MicahTK]

03:26 AM on 01/26/2012

You know what is so funny about most of these comments on here. These are democrats making comments about Newt and how much they dislike him but guess what people.This is a republican primary. By all of the negative comments you make about Newt, it shows how scared you are that he will be running against Obama because you know he will beat Obama and your love affair with Obama will be over. Frankly I don't care what you think about Newt or any other republican candidate. You are all insignificant anyway.

[Joyfull40]

04:25 AM on 01/26/2012

Newt is a disgrace. Your insignificant self having a love affair with a "man" like Newt, is even more of a disgrace.

[MicahTK]

04:53 AM on 01/26/2012

I just think it is very funny to read all of the comments that these democrats are making. This isn't the general election....lol. At this point it is only a republican primary so any remarks that you or your buddy's make are just insignificate to say the least. It really doesn't matter what you think of any of the candidates....lol. All of you don't even have enough sense to know that. It's just funny to see the way you act...lol.

[9892]

04:48 AM on 01/26/2012

My love affair with Obama will never be over. That said, if Newt does some how pull this off, the middle class people in the United States will soon realize their will be no love affair with Newt. He will destroy the middle class.

[MicahTK]

05:03 AM on 01/26/2012

If you believe that, I have an Ocean front property i will sell you in South Dakota. Very sunny and warm this time of the year. You can get rich off this investment. Do you want to talk a deal?

[time2talk]

01:18 AM on 01/26/2012

From the look on John McCains face in the pix above comments, I'd say he just heard about the baptism thingie.

[EmilyGoodall]

12:53 AM on 01/26/2012

And just when you thought South Carolina was edging out Florida for "World's Dumbest Community!"

[maggiemosaic]

12:16 AM on 01/26/2012

dear america the people in my state of florida voted in a criminal as the governor, they didnt seem to think that we deserved better, but they now have buyers remorse, the state is a mess,and their is nothing we can do about it, thats right we cant recall our gov. because its in the states con. no recalls, please dont let florida be a desideing factor when you vote. OBAMA 2012

[Activist Annie]

05:31 AM on 01/26/2012

I empathize with you and your fellow Floridians. We, in Maine have a similar problem, in that the governor is a tea partier who's working hard to bring us back to the days of Reagan. As of now, there's no recall, but we're working.

Become active in your Party in Florida. Most of all, don't give up hope! You deserve better.

Remember Wisconsin!

[drknee]

06:02 AM on 01/26/2012

Did any of you Democrats attend school ? Your spelling and language skills are appalling ! You should sign up for a history class with Professor Gingrich. Perhaps you would learn something. The Obama camp is scared to death that he will have to debate Newt. They are smart though and will limit it to two debates, allow a teleprompter so the big O knows what to say, and make sure all the questions are known before the debate. It might also help to have one of our Democratic major networks be the moderators. Any of them will do since their politics are all the same. We really should spend more money on education for you dopes.

[Danslvn]

09:21 AM on 01/26/2012

The correct grammar would be as follows without the "s".

"It might also help to have one of our Democratic major networks be the moderator."

Happy to help your education cause.

[ProfessorBrooks]

09:42 AM on 01/26/2012

So you are that impressed with Newt, who was denied tenure at his institution?

Gingrich is a dumb person's idea of what a smart person sounds like. Obama will handle himself in debate just fine--and get off this ridiculous teleprompter quip, the last Republican president couldn't read the English language with a teleprompter and the hard words spelled out phonetically for him.

[time2talk]

11:50 PM on 01/25/2012

I wonder what Nancy Pelosi has on Gingrich. She said they will not let him run. Meaning the GOP would not let Gingrich run. When asked why, she wouldn't say. She just repeated it.

[all hat]

03:21 PM on 01/26/2012

I think it's pictures of her and him

[Shelley Peterson]

11:50 PM on 01/25/2012

I find it very disturbing that the Morality, Integrity, Character, emotional stability & mind-set of a person especially any seeking to hold the highest office in the land, has allowed the bar to be downgraded to such low standards by some; that any Tom, Dick or Jane from the bottom of the gutter could basically meet & pass the test by merely buying a clean new pair of clothing, shower, shave & hair cut. Pretty much what I'm hearing. That's some very scary, dangerous, beyond lazy & brainwashed twisted mess! I would not ever think of allowing any full grown adult who is that weak & unstable in my home, close around my kids/family members or close enough to even remotely screw around in my daily life...I don't understand how anybody could think of this being even a little bit acceptable for yourself or your country! I hope the majority of the Country has not become that desensitized. This is what the current Republican-Tea Party base sounds and acts like! They're willing to except the lowest standard character, snake or slime over that Black Guy with the funny name who happens to Brilliant. Best man for the job who exceeds the standards bar buy a long shot when measured against the previous presidents of the past 2 decades even! Think & Re-think people, would you really be comfortable leaving your children, elders, family alone on a Island 4 years in the hands of any of the running Candidates, REALLY?

[healthy chocolate]

01:06 AM on 01/26/2012

Fanned, Faved and starred!!!

[liarfire]

01:45 AM on 01/26/2012

I agree on almost every point except for one thing..Really great con artists come in very pleasing disguise . they know how to act talk dress and seem...yes Obama is brilliant....

[Activist Annie]

05:33 AM on 01/26/2012

Ah, yes. Wolves in sheep's clothing.

[Shelley Peterson]

08:02 AM on 01/26/2012

Con artists are very good at disguise, But there's nothing disguised of the running candidates.That's the shame they're openly lacking in Morality, Integrity & Character. Yet the Right's still willingly accepts the lowest quality for THE Position of our W H. Come on if we can't do better we shouldn't present anyone. American's should get behind their absolute best. All of the Wannabees are an embarrassment almost each time their mouths open. Around the world are laughing & gasping at our Traveling Clown Wannabee Pres! .....(continued)