Poll: Gingrich leading GOP pack in Iowa

With a month to go until Iowans select a candidate for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has extended his lead in the state.  A new poll from the Des Moines Register finds 25% of likely Republican voters in Iowa backing Gingrich.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul stands in  second place with 18% and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney comes in third with 16% of the vote.  The latest poll marks a dramatic rise for Gingrich, who just a month ago was polling in fourth place in the Hawkeye State.

Alina Cho talks with CNN contributor John Avlon about why Gingrich is surging in the Iowa polls – and what Romney has to do to thwart his opponents' momentum.