Another Poll Shows Rick Santorum Leading on Mitt Romney’s Michigan Home Turf; Gingrich Support Sinks – 2/15/12

Another new poll in Michigan puts Sen. Rick Santorum in the lead over Mitt Romney. According to a new survey by Mitchell Research, Santorum has a 9-point lead over Romney, 34%-25%. Earlier this month, Romney led Santorum 31%-15% in a poll by the same organization.

The Romney Campaign has to be in panic mode about the numbers coming out of Michigan. Romney is billing Michigan as home territory for him in his own ads. If he loses to Santorum in Michigan on February 28, it will be an earthquake in the GOP race.

The other big point to note in this poll is that Newt Gingrich gets only 5% support, down from 16% in Michigan just two weeks ago. His campaign is losing steam in a hurry, and you have to wonder if he actually stays in the race through Super Tuesday, March 6, particularly if he does very poorly on February 28 in Michigan and Arizona. Ironically, Romney, who beat Gingrich down with negative ads, has to hope he will stay in the race. Otherwise, Santorum will get a big boost in the Super Tuesday races against Romney.