Which Presidential Candidate will Feel the Heat Next?

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Editor’s Note: It appears whoever the front runner is for the Republican nomination for President, that person can expect increased (and arguably, unfair) scrutiny from the media. Early on it was Michele Bachmann, who was practically wiped out by the attacks, followed by Rick Perry (who did little to help his case in debates), and most recently, Herman Cain. The only major GOP candidate that seems above the heat is Mitt Romney. Now enters Newt Gingrich. Gingrich has been largely dismissed by the media because of his lack of resources and organization, but that is beginning to change. What will also likely change is his treatment by the media.

This from the Daily Caller:

Newt Gingrich has surged in the Republican field, jumping from a middle tier candidate to a front-runner, and now leading the pack, according to a national poll released Monday by Public Policy Polling (PPP).

Gingrich now holds 28 percent of the vote, leading Herman Cain, who is in second at 25 percent, and Mitt Romney, who has slipped to 18 percent. No other candidate makes double digits.

The former Speaker of the House is also the most popular candidate by far, with 68 percent of Republicans saying they hold a positive opinion of him, and just 23 percent saying they hold an unfavorable opinion.

Cain’s popularity, though still high, has taken a hit, falling to 57 percent favorable and 31 percent unfavorable. A majority of Republicans are inclined to feel that the allegations of sexual harassment against Cain are mostly false, that the manner in which the media has treated him is mostly unfair, and 63 percent say the allegations have not affected their opinion of him. But he has still clearly taken a hit, dropping five points in the polls, and his net favorability has dropped from 51 to 26 since PPP last polled in October.

If Cain continues to slip, Gingrich is the likely heir to his supporters. Seventy-three percent of Cain’s supporters hold a favorable view of Gingrich, PPP points out, while both…