New CNN Poll Shows Romney Leading in Iowa; Rick Santorum Makes Big Move Up – 12/28/11

Another poll is out today on the race for the Iowa Caucuses, and this one shows Mitt Romney with a three point lead over Ron Paul, 25%-22%. The latest CNN/Time/ORC Poll also shows a new candidate in third place – Rick Santorum with 16%. Gingrich is then fourth at 14%. That’s a huge jump for Santorum, and may be the first poll that shows what many pundits have been saying for over a week – that Santorum is on the move in Iowa.

If this poll is accurate, Rick Santorum actually has a shot at winning in Iowa if conservatives coalesce around him from the other candidates. He’s within striking distance, only 9 points behind Romney, and he has certainly spent a great deal of time in Iowa building an organization. So far, this is the only poll to show Santorum above 10%, so we’ll see if any other polls confirm this dramatic move up.