The Hill News

New polls in three states show that Herman Cain is leading the Republican field, reinforcing evidence that the former businessman's campaign has gained serious traction in the GOP race.

Public Policy Polling results from North Carolina, Nebraska, and West Virginia each show Cain leading Republicans, posting a 14 point lead in Nebraska and a 10 point lead in North Carolina. In West Virginia, Cain edged Newt Gingrich by 6 points; the former Speaker also placed second in the Nebraska polled and tied with Mitt Romney for second in North Carolina.

The insurgent candidacies of Cain and Gingrich mean bad news for Rick Perry, who has slipped in polls nationwide. A Washington Post/ABC poll released Tuesday showed that nationwide, Romney led the race with 25 percent of support, with Perry slipping into a second-place tie with Cain at 16 percent. Perry's numbers represented a 13-point drop over the past month, while Cain has seen a 12-point gain.

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