DES MOINES, Iowa (PNN) - December 5, 2011 - Libertarian-leaning Texas Rep. Ron Paul is outperforming the corporate media-declared Republican frontrunner, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, in the key GOP primary state of Iowa, according to a new poll released on Sunday.

It’s the third poll so far to confirm Paul’s emergence as a leading candidate for the Republican nomination for the presidency. A second poll, also released this weekend, found Paul trailing Romney by 1% - well within the margin of error.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (Geo.) earned 25% support among likely Republican caucus voters polled by The Des Moines Register - a massive upswing from the 7% backing he earned in the Iowa newspaper’s last poll in October.

Paul moved into second place with 18% support, ahead of Romney, who earned just 16%, according to the newspaper.

Far from being the “gadfly” that Republicans attempted to label him early in the campaigns, Paul has now definitively emerged as a frontrunner for the nomination. Appearing on CNN Sunday afternoon, Paul attributed his rising fortunes to a consistent message emphasizing fiscal responsibility and civil liberties.

“I think we continue to do what we’re doing,” said The Patriot Congressman during the interview. “We’ve had the flavors of the month up and down so far in this campaign. I’d like to think of myself as the flavor of the decade.”

In the Register poll, Herman Cain - who on Saturday suspended his presidential bid amid allegations of sexual harassment and adultery - and Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann each earned 8% support. Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum each garnered 6% support, and former U.S. ambassador to China Jon Huntsman took 2%.