CNN/ORC Poll: Majority of Republicans Want Gingrich, Paul to Drop Out

A majority of Republicans believe Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul should drop out of the presidential campaign, a CNN/ORC International poll shows.

A total of 60 percent of respondents say Gingrich should exit the race, while 39 percent believe the former House speaker should keep going. Meanwhile, 61 percent of Republicans want Texas Rep. Paul to drop out, while 36 percent want him to stay in.

It’s a different story with Rick Santorum. A total of 59 percent of Republicans think he should stay in the race, while 39 percent want him gone.

"Republican women are particularly supportive of Santorum continuing his bid for the White House," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "More than two-thirds of GOP women interviewed said that they wanted Santorum to stay in the race, compared to only 51 percent of men."

The poll showed that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leads the field with 36 percent support, followed by Santorum with 26 percent support, Paul with 17 percent support, and Gingrich with 15 percent support. That’s quite a change from six weeks ago, when Santorum led Romney 34 percent to 32 percent.