Is the GOP race down to Romney and Gingrich?

SALT LAKE CITY -- The 2012 race for president is gaining steam, with the nation's first contest, the Iowa caucus, happening exactly one month from Tuesday. A new poll shows Newt Gingrich gaining momentum, and pulling ahead of Mitt Romney.

Monday, Gingrich courted the support of Donald Trump.

"I think one of the differences between my party and the other party is we actually go to the people who know how to create jobs," said Gingrich of his new backer.

Gingrich is aiming to pick up supporters of Herman Cain, who dropped out over the weekend. The latest NBC news poll shows the former U.S. House Speaker with an 8 point lead in Iowa; in New Hampshire he's gained nearly 20 points since October.

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Westminster College administrator Bob Seltzer, a former top aide to several Democratic U.S. senators, sees the race starting to gel.

"It's an interesting race. I think it comes down to two people: Romney and Gingrich," Seltzer said. "Romney is incredibly disciplined, well funded, well organized. And Gingrich is none of those things."

Romney adviser Kirk Jowers says it's unclear how Gingrich will fare with the scrutiny that comes with frontrunner status.

"I think it's clear that Romney will be in that championship game, but we still don't know if Gingrich is going to be able to hang on and be the anti- Romney," Jowers said.

Others see the latest poll numbers as troubling for the former Utah Olympic chief.

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"This translates politically into being out of step with the electorate on fundamental ideological grounds," said Lee Miringoff with Marist Poll. "If you're conservative, you're looking for a conservative -- and you don't think Mitt Romney is."

A top Iowa Republican says the contest is totally up for grabs.

"Some two-thirds of likely Iowa caucus goers can still be persuaded to support another candidate," said Matt Strawn, chairman of the Iowa Republican Party. "So, I think it's going to be a completely wild ride over the last four weeks.

Tuesday, Romney is expected to receive a high profile endorsement in Phoenix: Throwing his support to Romney is Dan Quayle, the former vice president.

Email: jdaley@ksl.com

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