A new Bloomberg News poll of likely New Hampshire voters released on Nov. 16, shows that former Massachusetts Gov. holds a solid lead in the First-in-the-Nation primary, scheduled for Jan. 10, 2012.

The surprise of the poll, however, is the second place position for U.S. Rep. , R-Texas, who has traditionally trended between 5 and 10 percent in most New Hampshire polls. In the poll, Paul has vaulted into second place, with 17 percent of likely voters. According to the polling company, Selzer & Company, 1,111 Republican and undeclared voters, 18 and up, on both landlines and cellphones, were randomly questioned between Nov. 10 and Nov. 12.

"The people of New Hampshire understand we have to solve our national economic challenges today, not 20 years from now," said state Sen. , a co-chairman of the Paul effort in New Hampshire. "As President, Dr. Paul is the only candidate who will actually deliver what people are asking for in a smaller government, which will clear the way for economic growth, and that means jobs." Sanborn said, with the national debt exceeding $15 trillion today, voters don't want to wait for Washington to fix things. He said Paul's plan calls for immediate cuts and a balanced federal budget in three years.

"No other candidate is so committed to reining in the size and scope of our out-of-control federal government," he said. "His message is clear and people from all over New Hampshire are flocking to his campaign because he is the only candidate who will fix our problems today." Bloomberg News also released polling data from Iowa, showing businessman Herman Cain, Paul, Romney, and former Speaker Newt Gingrich in a statistical tie for first place, with between 17 to 20 percent support, in the first caucus state.



"We're very excited to see these numbers," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton in a press release. "While other campaigns have shot into the top tier, only to fade away, support for Congressman Paul in New Hampshire has been growing steadily, and we are prepared to hold our ground here – and advance."

According to the New Hampshire data, 26 percent of those polled voted for Romney in 2008; 7 percent voted for Paul. In Iowa, 14 percent voted for Romney and 9 percent voted for Paul.

Likely voters said jobs and the economy were "critical" and "important" issues while abortion and gay marriage were said to be "somewhat important" or "not important."