Two weeks before the primaries in Arizona and Michigan and three weeks before Super Tuesday, which will see 10 states hold primaries or caucuses, the Republican candidates for president are heading into a critical moment in the nominating process. Let's take a closer look at where things stand.
How are things looking overall?
In the wake of Rick Santorum's clean sweep of elections in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri last week, the complexion of the race has changed significantly. A CBS News/New York Times poll released today indicates Santorum has a three-point lead nationally over Mitt Romney among Republican primary voters. Santorum is preferred by 30 percent, while Romney is at 27 percent. A similar poll conducted last month had Romney leading Santorum by 12 points. Two polls conducted earlier this week suggest what amounts to a dead heat between Santorum and Romney nationally among Republican voters. A Pew Research Center poll has Santorum leading Romney by two points, while a Gallup poll has Romney leading Santorum by two points. Both polls amount to what is essentially a statistical tie between the candidates nationally.
What are the next states to vote?
Romney is polling very well in Arizona and appears to have that winner-take-all state's 29 delegates wrapped up. Meanwhile, in Michigan, where Romney was born and where his father was governor, Santorum has a decisive lead. A Public Policy Polling survey released this week indicates Santorum has a 15-point lead over Romney in the state.
What about Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul?
Gingrich and Paul seem to be fading fast, particularly Gingrich. While the other candidates are busy campaigning, Gingrich is in California looking for money. Meanwhile, Santorum's recent surge seems to be siphoning off the critical support from evangelicals and conservatives that Gingrich needs for his campaign to remain relevant. The CBS News/New York Times poll suggests Gingrich has lost more than half of his support from self-described conservatives over the past month.
Paul's seemingly narrow loss in the Maine caucus was a huge blow to his campaign. He told CNN he would continue forward with his caucus strategy, largely ignoring the big primary states. Paul has also seen his popularity slip among Republicans nationally over the past month, according to the CBS News/New York Times poll.




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