Newt Gingrich Beats Mitt Romney in Another National Poll

A CNN/ORC International Poll released on Monday found that former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich is leading the pack of Republican presidential candidates.

Gingrich takes 24 percent in the national poll while former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is within the margin of error at 20 percent. Last week, a CNN/ORI poll had Romney ahead 24 percent with Gingrich in second with 22 percent.

Businessman Herman Cain is in third. He takes 17 percent -- down from 25 percent in a CNN/ORC poll from October. Texas Gov. Rick Perry stands in fourth with 11 percent. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas takes fifth with 9 percent, followed by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota with 5 percent. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah take 3 percent apiece.

The poll of 402 Republicans and independents leaning toward the GOP was taken from Nov. 18-20 and had a margin of error of +/- 5 percent.