A CNN survey found former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani supported by 24% of Republican voters nationally, followed by Huckabee at 22% -- a statistical tie. A CBS News/New York Times poll found Giuliani favored by 22% and Huckabee 21% -- also a virtual tie. Both surveys found Romney in third place with 16%.
More ominously for Romney, who has spent millions on television advertising in Iowa, New Hampshire and other early-voting states, the CBS/New York Times poll found Huckabee strongly favored by white evangelicals. Election analysts viewed Romney's decision to risk a backlash from negative advertising as a sign of his heightened concern.
"When you go to the attack ad, that shows you're getting nervous," said Dennis Goldford, a political science professor at Drake University in Iowa.
Huckabee's ability to counterattack is limited by his campaign treasury. The most recent public finance statements show that Romney had raised nearly $63 million by the end of September, including $17.3 million from his own personal fortune. Huckabee had raised $2.3 million at the time, although aides say his fundraising pace has improved in recent weeks.
Bob Wickers, Huckabee's chief media consultant, called Romney's move a mistake, saying it would turn off Iowa voters.
"They want to hear the presidential candidates talk about what they're going to do and why they're qualified to be president of the United States, not why other people should be disqualified," Wickers said. "Mitt Romney hasn't been able to do that. He hasn't been able to connect."
michael.finnegan@latimes.com
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Iowa debates
The Republican presidential candidates will debate Wednesday in Johnston, Iowa. The forum will be broadcast at 11 a.m. Pacific time on CNN and Fox News. On Thursday, the Democratic candidates will debate in Johnston. The event will be broadcast at 11 a.m. by the same networks.
