WashPost-ABC Poll: Gingrich, Romney Tied Nationally

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are locked in a dead heat nationally. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that both receive 30 percent among Republicans and Republican-leaning voters.

However, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, is surging and now polls at 15 percent, about double his numbers in early November. All other GOP candidates poll in the single digits.

Part of Gingrich’s rise in the polls results from businessman Herman Cain’s decision to suspend his candidacy, the Post reports.

On the question of who Republicans think is best positioned to defeat President Barack Obama, Romney leads by 10 points; he also is viewed as the best GOP candidate to deal with the economy.

Both candidates carry negatives, with Gingrich receiving poor marks for his consulting work for Freddie Mac and Romney for his Massachusetts healthcare plan, the Post reported.