Mitt Romney Ahead of Herman Cain, Ron Paul and Perry in Iowa and N.H.

NBC News and the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion unveiled two new polls on Tuesday morning that found former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts with a healthy lead over the field of Republican presidential candidates in New Hampshire, home of the first primary, but in a fight with businessman Herman Cain in Iowa, site of the first caucus.

Romney took 23 percent in Iowa followed by Cain with 20 percent. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas placed third with 11 percent while Gov. Rick Perry of Texas and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota -- both of whom had led the pack in past Iowa polls -- were knotted together in fourth place with 10 percent each.

Romney did much better in New Hampshire, taking 44 percent followed by Cain and Paul tied for second with 13 percent. Perry followed with 6 percent and former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah took fifth with 5 percent.

The survey of 371 likely Iowa Republican caucus voters was conducted from Oct. 3-5 and had a margin of error of 5.1 percent.

The survey of 691 likely New Hampshire Republican primary voters was conducted from Oct. 3-5 and had a margin of error of 3.7 percent.