New Poll Shows Ron Paul with a Four-Point Lead in Iowa; Paul Leads 21-Day, 10-Day, 7-Day Polling Averages in Iowa – 12/28/11

GOP Rep. Ron Paul holds a four-point lead over the GOP Presidential Field in a new poll out of Iowa. The Public Policy Polling survey results come less than one week ahead of the Iowa Caucuses – January 3, 2012.

Paul leads Mitt Romney 24%-20%, with Newt Gingrich in third place at 13%. Michele Bachmann is at 11%, with Rick Perry and Rick Santorum each at 10%.

Ron Paul leads in the 7-day, 10-day, and 21-day average of polls, and appears to have a strong base of support at around 22%. Whether Mitt Romney can overtake him in the final week is unclear. Romney’s support is at 20%, about two points behind Paul in the averages. Gingrich is still third in the averages, but his numbers have been falling. Right now, the battle for first is a two-man race between Paul and Romney, with everyone else fighting to get into the top-tier and a third-place finish. Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, and Michele Bachmann appear to be battling it out for third place, with Santorum’s numbers rising.

Polling Averages for Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, Nevada