Republican Texas Congressman Ron Paul drifted into Nevada and came in second in the GOP primary race there, his strongest showing in the Republican nominating process to date. Mitt Romney, who essentially gave up his bid in South Carolina came in a decisive first with 51 percent of the vote. Paul's 14 percent earned him the second spot and John McCain came in a distant third.
With Paul's message focusing on limiting the federal government's influence over individual rights and pushing to return many issues to the state level has realized a recent surge in popularity. After bringing in $18 million in contribution in the last quarter of the year, Paul's grass roots efforts, mainly through internet bloggers, has seen his poll position improve during the last few weeks on the campaign trail.
The next big push for the GOP nomination takes place in Florida, where half of the state's GOP delegates have been pulled due to its moving the primary ahead of the February 5 date established by the National Republican Party. His is currently polling at six percent in Florida, according to figures posted at usaelectionpolls.com, last in the race of the six remaining GOP hopefuls.
His poll numbers in Florida are similar to his popularity registered in recent national polls that have John McCain currently in the lead. In Florida polls, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has put nearly all of his primary eggs in the Florida basket has a one percent lead in Florida, at 21 percent, over McCain and Mitt Romney, tied for second.
Latest Poll: Ron Paul remains in last place in Florida and New York.
