NOW we're talking! Newt crashes in Iowa, NH polls; Romney surges

Negative ads detailing the former Speaker's checkered past seem to have punctured the Gingrich balloon. Two new polls show Mitt Romney jumping into the lead here in Iowa, and extending his lead in New Hampshire. Gingrich has tumbled into second place in Iowa, and third place in New Hampshire.

The new Iowa Rasmussen numbers give Romney 23%, Gingrich 20%, Ron Paul 18%, Rick Perry 10%, Michele Bachmann 9%, Rick Santorum 6%, and Huntsman 5%. Ten percent are undecided or support someone else.

My gut tells me to keep my eye on Santorum. A smart and focused campaigner with a a strong appeal to the social conservatives who make up the greater part of the Iowa GOP,  I have a very strong hunch that many caucus-goers in what seems to be a fluid race are going to come down at the last minute in his corner.

Every candidate except Gingrich, who lost twelve percent, has apparently picked up support in Iowa in the past week. Huntsman, who picked up three points, has visited Iowa precisely once.

Meanwhile, in New Hampshire,  a new poll shows Romney with 35%,  Paul (!) with 21%, and Gingrich dropping to third, with 16%. Huntsman has 13%, Bachmann has 4%, Perry has 2%, and Santorum has 1%. Romney even leads among Tea Party supporters in New Hampshire.

The National Review has warned against nominating Gingrich. George Will has called the former Speaker the "least conservative" of the candidates. Ann Coulter, who once said that Romney couldn't beat President Obama, has not only changed her mind, but called Romney the most conservative available nominee.

Maybe Republicans have decided to win next year after all.

HT:  Drudge