The huge margin suggests Newt Gingrich is more than just a Not Romney (Chris Keane/Reuters)



The huge margin suggests Newt Gingrich is more than just a Not Romney (Chris Keane/Reuters)



Newt Gingrich: 47 (10)

Mitt Romney: 17 (30)

Herman Cain: 15 (7)

Ron Paul: 5 (8)

Michele Bachmann: 4 (6)

Jon Huntsman: 3 (3)

Rick Perry: 2 (24)

Rick Santorum: 1 (2)

Gary Johnson: 0 (1)



Those are just stunning numbers. Not only is Newt Gingrich dominating the most important of the early states, but Mitt Romney has collapsed to Herman Cain's level. Nobody else is even on the map.

And as amazing as these numbers are, they are mirrored by PPP's survey of Montana, conducted on the same days, with a margin of error of ±3.7%. The results:

Newt Gingrich: 37

Ron Paul: 12

Mitt Romney: 11

Michele Bachmann: 10

Herman Cain: 10

Rick Perry: 5

Jon Huntsman: 3

Rick Santorum: 1

Gary Johnson: 1



If these numbers reflect what's going on in other states around the country, Newt Gingrich hasn't just surged to the top of the GOP primary field, he's opened up a massive lead.

Amazingly, PPP says the numbers show Gingrich has room to expand his lead:

As strong as Gingrich is in these polls there's still evidence he could get stronger. Despite his troubles this week, which voters may not yet be fully aware of, Cain hit double digits on both of these polls. If his declining support bottoms out after the newest set of revelations, Gingrich will be the beneficiary. 45% of Cain voters in Florida say he is their second choice to only 13% for Romney and in Montana Cain backers prefer Newt over Romney 35-11 as a back up.

I updated the Florida numbers to include the trends from PPP's September poll of Florida. Romney's collapse is only beaten by Rick Perry's fall.

46% of Florida Republicans say they agree with Newt Gingrich's position on immigration. 17% don't.