Don't place that final bet yet in the Republican Iowa primary - a new poll shows Texas Libertarian Congressman Ron Paul closing in on frontrunner Newt Gingrich. Over the past week, Gingrich's 9-point lead has shrunk to a single point over the folksy Paul, according to Public Policy Poling.
Gingrich is clinging to a narrow 22% to 21% edge over Paul, with Mitt Romney at 16%, Michele Bachmann at 11%, Rick Perry at 9%, Rick Santorum at 8%, Jon Huntsman at 5%, and Gary Johnson at 1%.
Gingrich has dropped 5 points in the last week and he's also seen a significant decline in his favorability numbers.
The former House Speaker has been pounded by fellow Republicans and President Obama's re-election efforts.
Romney and his surrogates relentless tore at Gingrich's reputation as they attempt to paint him as too "erratic" and impulsive to win the White House.
President Obama's team has also banged Gingrich, calling him the "original Tea Partier" and an extremist who wanted to privatize Social Security and eliminate Medicare.
Paul himself has said Gingrich is no conservative, but a politician who changes his stance on key issues.
In the past week, Gingrich has seen his popularity numbers drop 19 points while Paul's have risen 14 points, the poll found.
