[TexasFreeper2009]

The reason Romney's numbers are down is obvious to anyone who has been following the polls closely. Newt is taking support mostly from Romney! Yes, Newt got some of the easily panicked Cain supporters, but Newt has had a FAR more devastating effect on Rommey. Suddenly Romney is fighting for his life in New Hampshire and California, while Cain is still sitting pretty almost everywhere he was before, and there is a good chance many of the spooked Cain voters will drift back to Cain over time as they realize that Newt has 10 times the personal baggage as Cain and has 10 times the issues that they disagree with him on than Perry.

[PapaNew]

Cain seems like a good guy. But somebody’s gotta get Cain to learn how to talk heart-to-heart with the American people - open-faced and honest. They’re (we’re) waiting and listening. Been doing so since Reagan. I think he can do it but I’m not sure he understands the value of it.

[fightinJAG]

Newt is taking support mostly from Romney!

Dude!

Great attention to detail! I would have completely missed that possibility if you had not brought it up.

When you think about it, it makes sense that the GOP Elite might be finally getting the message that Romney would never be acceptable to the conservative base -- so they start thinking okay, Newt, we know him and we can live with that and, if we have to nominate Newt, we can live with that.

But that wouldn't be what is showing up in the polls, I don't think. I think you're likely right that it's "generic" Romney voters going to Gingrich.

Have to think about what that means for the Gingrich campaign and the race as a whole.

Very interesting post, thanks!