The Des Moines Register Iowa caucuses poll, considered by political observers to be the most important and reliably accurate poll of the primary season, has determined that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads the Republican field.

Romney has the support of 24 percent of likely Hawkeye State caucus-goers. He is followed by Texas Rep. Ron Paul with 22 percent, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum at 15 percent, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 12 percent.

Rounding out the pack is Texas Governor Rick Perry, with 11 percent, and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann with 7 percent. The results are especially disappointing for Perry, who has had a sizeable and well-funded campaign operation in the state for months.

The Des Moines Register poll also contains some good news for Santorum, who is now reliably polling in the double-digits after months of dogged, old fashioned campaigning throughout Iowa. The poll was conducted over four days, but if the final two days are considered separately Santorum jumps to second place with 21 percent support.

“Momentum’s name is Rick Santorum,” said Ann Selzer, the paper’s famed pollster.

The Iowa caucuses will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd.

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