A new Gallup poll of registered Republicans shows Rick Santorum leading rival Mitt Romney by 10 percentage points – 36% to 26%. Former House Speaker Gingrich had the support of 13% of Republicans while 11% backed Congressman Ron Paul. first District Congressman Tim Scott, who has yet to publicly endorse a candidate for the nomination, says he still views the contest as a three-horse race. He acknowledges that Santorum has seemingly streaked from the back of the pack.
Scott sees race remaining tight
Although Gingrich has faltered since winning the South Carolina GOP Presidential Primary on January 21, Scott sees the former House Speaker hanging on through Super Tuesday March 6, which includes the primary vote in Gingrich’s home state of Georgia. Along with Georgia, Super Tuesday includes primaries or caucuses in Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia.
AUDIO: Scott sees Newt hanging in as Santorum’s star rises (:23)
A number of polls show Santorum leading in Romney’s home state of Michigan. Scott says if Santorum wins next Tuesday’s Michigan Primary on February 28 that would not bode well for Romney. Scott says if Santorum and Gingrich continue to battle for the heart of the conservative wing of the GOP, that will work to help Romney’s candidacy.
AUDIO: Scott says a Santorum win in Michigan not a knockout blow for Romney (:19)
The USA Today/Gallup poll of Republican voters released Monday shows that 55 percent of Republican voters nationwide wish there was another Republican presidential candidate that they could vote for. Does Scott see a brokered convention?
AUDIO: Scott won’t rule out brokered convention (:06)
The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held August 27-30 in Tampa, Florida.
