This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-us-canada-16055203
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iowa poll gives Newt Gingrich big lead over Mitt Romney | Iowa poll gives Newt Gingrich big lead over Mitt Romney |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Surging Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has a double-digit lead over Mitt Romney in the key election state of Iowa, a poll shows. | Surging Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has a double-digit lead over Mitt Romney in the key election state of Iowa, a poll shows. |
| The former House of Representatives Speaker was on 33%, compared with 18% for Mr Romney and Ron Paul in the ABC News/Washington Post survey. | The former House of Representatives Speaker was on 33%, compared with 18% for Mr Romney and Ron Paul in the ABC News/Washington Post survey. |
| Meanwhile, it was reported Mr Romney had erased email records in his last weeks as governor of Massachusetts. | Meanwhile, it was reported Mr Romney had erased email records in his last weeks as governor of Massachusetts. |
| The contenders are competing to become next year's Republican nominee. | The contenders are competing to become next year's Republican nominee. |
| In January, Iowa will hold the first in a series of state-by-state contests that will help pick the party's candidate to challenge Barack Obama for the White House in November 2012. | In January, Iowa will hold the first in a series of state-by-state contests that will help pick the party's candidate to challenge Barack Obama for the White House in November 2012. |
| The poll published on Tuesday found that Iowa voters rated Mr Romney behind Mr Gingrich in terms of empathy, experience and electability. | The poll published on Tuesday found that Iowa voters rated Mr Romney behind Mr Gingrich in terms of empathy, experience and electability. |
| Herman Cain endorsement? | Herman Cain endorsement? |
| And despite Mr Romney's much-vaunted career in the corporate world, only 20% would trust his handling of the economy, compared with 27% for Mr Gingrich. | And despite Mr Romney's much-vaunted career in the corporate world, only 20% would trust his handling of the economy, compared with 27% for Mr Gingrich. |
| But more than six in 10 potential Iowa voters said they could change their minds about whom to pick. | But more than six in 10 potential Iowa voters said they could change their minds about whom to pick. |
| It is the latest survey to suggest a double-digit lead in Iowa for Mr Gingrich, whose campaign nearly imploded in June when almost his entire staff quit. | It is the latest survey to suggest a double-digit lead in Iowa for Mr Gingrich, whose campaign nearly imploded in June when almost his entire staff quit. |
| Meanwhile, a New York Times/CBS News poll on Tuesday showed 31% of voters in Iowa thought Mr Gingrich had the best chance of beating President Barack Obama, while 29% said the same of Mr Romney. | |
| But whether the thrice-married 68-year-old can keep up the momentum or fade away like other front-runners before him remains to be seen. | |
| Mr Gingrich's rise in the polls began as rival Herman Cain's campaign began to buckle under allegations of adultery and sexual harassment. | Mr Gingrich's rise in the polls began as rival Herman Cain's campaign began to buckle under allegations of adultery and sexual harassment. |
| There has been speculation that Mr Cain, who halted his bid for the presidency on Saturday, may endorse Mr Gingrich. | There has been speculation that Mr Cain, who halted his bid for the presidency on Saturday, may endorse Mr Gingrich. |
| Meanwhile, Reuters news agency reported that during Mr Romney's final weeks as governor of Massachusetts in 2007, he spent $100,000 (£64,000) in state funds to replace computers in his office, wiping emails and other electronic communication. | Meanwhile, Reuters news agency reported that during Mr Romney's final weeks as governor of Massachusetts in 2007, he spent $100,000 (£64,000) in state funds to replace computers in his office, wiping emails and other electronic communication. |
| The move was described by Theresa Dolan, former director of administration for the governor's office, as unprecedented, albeit legal. | The move was described by Theresa Dolan, former director of administration for the governor's office, as unprecedented, albeit legal. |
| The erasing of records took place shortly before Mr Romney launched an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. | The erasing of records took place shortly before Mr Romney launched an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. |
| During his tenure in Massachusetts, he signed a healthcare law similar to one - detested by Republicans - introduced nationwide last year by President Obama. | |
| Mr Romney has maintained a steady position at the front of the Republican pack throughout the early campaign season, as other candidates have risen and fallen. | Mr Romney has maintained a steady position at the front of the Republican pack throughout the early campaign season, as other candidates have risen and fallen. |
| He has ramped up his campaign in Iowa, a state that has traditionally been a stronghold for religious conservative candidates. | He has ramped up his campaign in Iowa, a state that has traditionally been a stronghold for religious conservative candidates. |
| In the 2008 election cycle, despite making a significant investment in that state, Mr Romney was not able to win it. | In the 2008 election cycle, despite making a significant investment in that state, Mr Romney was not able to win it. |