Ron Paul Takes Lead Among Iowa GOP, Where Voters Party Like It’s 1964

The Texas libertarian is leading a new poll of Iowa Republicans, stealing the scene from Newt Gingrich. Among Paul's greatest hits: Bragging that he'd have voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

By Kai Wright Dec 19, 2011

And then, there was Ron Paul. The players in the dramatic comedy that’s been the GOP primary have each taken a turn on center stage–Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, most recently Newt Gingrich. But it now looks Paul is stealing Gingrich’s scene this week. Yes, Ron Paul of [I wouldn’t have voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Act fame](https://colorlines.com/archives/2011/05/ron_paul_would_have_voted_against_civil_rights_act.html). [Talking Points Memo has the polling details:](http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/ppp-poll-iowa-slipping-away-from-newt-paul-in-lead.php?ref=fpb) >The latest results from Democratic pollster PPP show Ron Paul overtaking Gingrich for the top spot with 23% of the vote. > >Gingrich is in second place with 20% of the vote and Romney is at 14%. Notably, several of the other candidates have double digit shares, giving them some potential for a last minute surge: Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, and Rick Santorum are all tied for fourth at 10%. Jon Huntsman and Gary Johnson each are at 4%. So, while Paul’s surging, it’s actually a toss up. Which is cold comfort for racial justice. Check out Colorlines.com contributor [Sally Kohn’s "Definitive Guide to Bigotry in the Republican Primaries (So Far)."](https://colorlines.com/archives/2011/08/the_definitive_guide_to_racism_sexism_and_homophobia_in_the_2012_campaign_so_far.html)