New Poll Shows Romney Leading in NH, Followed by Paul and Huntsman

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to new polls released by Watchdog.org, a project of the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity, a national nonprofit journalism organization, likely GOP voters in New Hampshire are favoring Mitt Romney for the GOP Presidential nomination at 37%, followed by Ron Paul at 19% and Jon Huntsman at 16%. Rick Santorum fell to fourth with 14% and Gingrich is polling at only 9%.

A separate poll of 1,482 statewide voters from every political party found that 70% believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction and 50% of likely voters would choose the Republican candidate over President Obama. Full poll details at FranklinCenterHQ.org and Watchdog.org. 

The telephone surveys were conducted on January 4, 2012, of 1,482 likely voters in New Hampshire and 865 likely GOP Primary voters by Pulse Opinion Research. Pulse Opinion Research, LLC is an independent public opinion research firm using automated polling methodology and procedures licensed from Rasmussen Reports, LLC.

"Watchdog.org and the Franklin Center's network of reporters in more than 40 states will continue to follow the breaking news from the GOP Primaries as well as all of the 2012 election races around the country," said Franklin Center President Jason Stverak.

Watchdog.org is a collection of independent journalists covering state-specific and local government activity. The program began in September 2009, the brainchild of the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity. Founded in January of 2009, the Franklin Center is a nonpartisan organization that networks with news organizations in more than 40 states. The Franklin Center believes that new technology can advance the cause of transparency in government. The Franklin Center aims to educate, to advise, and to train individuals and organizations from all backgrounds to become thorough, unbiased, and responsible reporters well versed in new media techniques and journalistic integrity.

Full poll details at FranklinCenterHQ.org and Watchdog.org.  

Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity promotes social welfare and civil betterment by undertaking programs that promote journalism and the education of the public about corruption, incompetence, fraud, or taxpayer abuse by elected officials at all levels of government. Founded in January of 2009, The Franklin Center is a nonpartisan organization that believes that new technology can advance the cause of transparency in government.

SOURCE Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity