A Washington Post-ABC News released Tuesday shows a dramatic realignment of the GOP primary field — as a resurgent Herman Cain knocked Texas Gov. Rick Perry from the front-runner position.

Perry's campaign has suffered from gaffes and attacks by his opponents, and has thus far been unable to craft a narrative for their candidate that sticks. Cain has filled the void — rising 12 points in a month as Perry dropped 13 percentage points.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is back to his front-runner-by-default position, and has shown few signs of increasing his base of his support, even as his most serious opponent flounders. Romney has the support of 25 percent of GOP voters (identical to last month), while Cain and Perry are tied with 16 percent.

Rep. Ron Paul come in at 11 percent for fourth place, while former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Rep. Michele Bachmann are tied with the support of 7 percent of GOP voters. Former Sen. Rick Santorum and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman bring up the rear, with 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

Perry's poor debate performances and his controversial position on immigration appear to be behind his slide in the polls, with nearly two-thirds of likely Republican voters unwilling to back his in-state tuition program. A majority of GOP voters said the more they hear about Perry, the less they are willing to support him.

Interest in New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie entering the race may be wide in the media, but only 42 percent of Republicans would like to see him declare his candidacy — and only 9 percent would support him.

Read the full poll results here >