Santorum Sees Big Rise in Latest Iowa Poll

Romney, Paul still in front, as Gingrich fades

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 28, 2011 4:47 PM CST

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Santorum Sees Big Rise in Latest Iowa Poll — Rick Santorum speaks during a campaign stop at USA Furniture and Bedding Wednesday in Dubuque, Iowa. His poll numbers are rising. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Looks like Rick Santorum will be around for a while. He has promised to drop from the race if he finishes last in Iowa next week, and a new poll shows that almost certainly will not happen. In fact, the CNN/Time survey has Santorum in third place at 16%, up 11 points from the start of the month, reports CNN. He is behind Mitt Romney (25%) and Ron Paul (22%), but is now ahead of Newt Gingrich, who plunged from 33% to 14%.

"Most of Santorum's gains have come among likely caucus participants who are born-again or evangelical, and he now tops the list among that crucial voting bloc, with support from 22% of born-agains compared to 18% for Paul, 16% for Romney, and 14% for Gingrich," says CNN's polling chief. The leaders in New Hampshire: Romney (44%), Paul (17%), Gingrich (16%), and Jon Huntsman (9%). Click to read about Gary Johnson's third-party bid. (Read more Rick Santorum 2012 stories.)