Gingrich's lead fading; Ron Paul rises in polls

The amazing see-saw Republican presidential campaign keeps on being unpredictable, making it hard to tell which of the remaining six candidates will be nominated to contest next year's presidential election against incumbent President Barack Obama.

Almost every month a different candidate is touted as the frontrunner. Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, (former candidate) Herman Cain, and recently Newt Gingrich have all enjoyed their moment at the top.

Two weeks ago Gingrich not only soared as the latest candidate of the month but, according to some states, including Florida, and national polls, seemed poised to be the Republican nominee. However, since last week's Republican debate in Sioux City, and with the Iowa caucus two weeks away, Gingrich's luster is fading, and now Ron Paul is shaping to take the lead in the polls.

Probably one of the worst things for Gingrich was to have peaked weeks before the Iowa caucus, which has traditionally been a significant booster to the eventual winner of either the Republican of Democratic primaries. In 2008 after Obama surprisingly won the Iowa caucus, American voters took notice and the rest is history.

Having peaked in the polls, Gingrich realized his various political baggage (multiple marital infidelities, lobbyist (or consultant) to Fannie Mae, mishaps as former House Speaker) may be too heavy to carry all the way to the White House. As he rose to the top of the polls, his rivals turned up the heat, depicted in harsh campaign ads and comments in media interviews, against him.

Polls on Monday showed Ron Paul overtaking Gingrich in Iowa with 23 percent. Gingrich is in second place with 20 percent, and Romney third at 14 percent. The polls conducted by the Public Policy Polling (PPP) also indicate Perry, Bachmann and Rick Santorum could make last-minute surges with each in double digits at 10 percent.

A CNN national poll released on Monday indicated that Gingrich's national lead has slipped four percent to be tied with Romney at 28 percent, and Ron Paul running third with 14 percent.

Gingrich's rating in the PPP poll dropped from 27 to 22 to 14 percent in just two weeks, while his personality is viewed even less favorably with a 46 positive rating compared to a 63 rating a few weeks ago.

A South Florida political analyst commented on seeing these figures, "Those ratings are not indicative of a candidate poised to win his party's nomination."

From reports, while his fellow candidates have been rising and falling, Ron Paul has been structuring an exemplary and impressive campaign in Iowa, and analysts are predicting that he will win that state's caucus on January 3. According to the PPP poll, Paul has strong support from voters under age 45, leading with 33 percent, Romney 16 and Gingrich 11. However, the poll shows Romney leading among voters, 65 and over, with 35 percent, Gingrich 18 percent and Paul 15 percent.

Republican supporter, Gregory Gould of Hallandale Beach, said he is very frustrated with the "lack of tenacity" among the Republican candidates. "I cannot see any of these candidates defeating President Obama, regardless of the messed up economy. Gingrich, Paul – no way neither of these men be nominated. It could be Romney, but most Republicans are waiting for that formidable candidate. Who? We have no idea, but someone must be out there."