Mitt Romney sitting pretty in New Hampshire, Iowa

By Karyn Chenoweth Oct 30, 2007, 18:23 GMT

US presidential candidates Mitt Romney (C) and Fred Thompson (R) smile before the Presidential Debate at the Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida, USA, 21 October 2007. EPA/CHRIS LIVINGSTON

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is riding high in the two states that begin the official race for voters.

Despite candidate Giuliani leading in most national polls, Romney exceeded his GOP rivals for the presidential bid in a new survey of Ohio Republicans.

Romney is at 36 percent in the University of Iowa Hawkeye poll.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the GOP front-runner in most national polls, places second at 13 percent and is in a virtual tie with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is in fourth place at 11 percent and Arizona Sen. John McCain trails with 6 percent. The Republican survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 5.8 percentage points.

CNN reports that the University of Iowa poll surveyed 285 likely Republican caucus-goers by telephone from October 17-24 and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 5.8 percentage points.

Romney's front-runner status in the Iowa and New Hampshire polls is very different from his standings in national surveys, where he averages around 12 percent in most recent polls.

CNN reports that Romney spent his money well in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

His money was spent primarily on television ads. Romney leads all candidates, Republican and Democrat, in TV ad spending according to CNN.

"Mitt Romney is following a traditional path to the White House by focusing on Iowa and New Hampshire," CNN political editor Mark Preston said. "It is not clear if this will be the only road to the GOP nomination, but it certainly is one way there and right now he owns it."

Iowa's caucuses kick off the presidential primary calendar. This year they'll be held earlier on Thursday, January 3.

The poll in Iowa comes as Romney grabs a major endorsement in New Hampshire, which traditionally directly follows Iowa and holds the nation's first primary.

One of New Hampshire's top Republicans, Sen. Judd Gregg, announced at a rally Monday in Concord he supported Romney.

In a statement, Gregg said Romney "embodies New Hampshire's values -- values that stress government living within its means, lower taxes, a stronger military and stronger families."

Republican John Sununu has said he doesn't plan to endorse a candidate in the primary.

"Coming in first in New Hampshire is a must for Romney as it was for John Kerry in 2004," CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider said. "And Kerry won the Granite State by first winning in Iowa. Coming out on top in New Hampshire is essential for a candidate from Massachusetts."