Newt Gingrich currently holds double digit leads in the two early Southern primary states, Florida and South Carolina. The most recent Marist/NBC poll shows Gingrich in a dominant position over second place Mitt Romney.

From Marist, South Carolina

Here is how the contest stands among likely Republican primary voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate in South Carolina:

• 42% for Newt Gingrich
• 23% for Mitt Romney
• 9% for Ron Paul
• 7% for Michele Bachmann
• 7% for Rick Perry
• 3% for Jon Huntsman
• 2% for Rick Santorum
• 8% are undecided

From Marist, Florida

Here is how the contest stands among likely Republican primary voters including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate in Florida:

• 44% for Newt Gingrich
• 29% for Mitt Romney
• 8% for Ron Paul
• 4% for Rick Perry
• 3% for Michele Bachmann
• 3% for Jon Huntsman
• 2% for Rick Santorum
• 8% are undecided

Barring yet another implosion by a front runner, Gingrich is on track to win several big victories next month. In the South Gingrich currently holds a massive advantage.

The only silver lining for Romney is that after the Florida primary on January 31, there isn’t another southern primary until Super Tuesday. Romney just needs to hope Gingrich’s momentum coming off two potentially very big wins at the end of January isn’t too strong to be stopped.

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