For Immediate Release

Contact:  Don Adams, 215.620.3055 

     Online Tea Party Poll:  Romney and Gingrich In Horse Race

Philadelphia, PA (December 12, 2012) -- In an online poll conducted by the Independence Hall Tea Party Association during a 24 hour period following Saturday night's ABC Iowa Republican Presidential Debate, Mitt Romney

showed surprising strength among 407 Tea Party supporters--with a slim

plurality selecting Romney as the candidate most likely to defeat President Obama in the November 2012 general election.

When respondents were asked for whom they would vote if the election were held today, 127 chose Newt Gingrich, while120 picked Romney.  

Ron Paul finished a distant 3rd, followed by Michele Bachmann.

"We were amazed by the results," said Association president, Teri Adams.

"One has to conclude that Mr. Romney is very capable of winning over Tea Party voters.  It's clear that the Tea Party wants to win in November 2012. 

"Since our last Tea Party poll in September, Mr. Gingrich has made significant strides to become a clear frontrunner along with Mr. Romney."   

In a head to head match-up question, Gingrich outscored Romney 42% to 38%.  One in five respondants voted for 'neither candidate.'

By a slightly wider percentage--27% to 22%--Gingrich was identified over Romney as the Saturday night debate winner. 

To see the survey results, click on link below:

http://independencehallteaparty.com/?_page_=75 

Over a third of all Americans are sympathetic to the the Tea Party

movement.  More than half of all Republican primary voters are thought to be Tea Party adherents. 

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