Gingrich, Romney neck and neck

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Republicans across the United States are split between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich as the party's presidential nominee, a Washington Post poll indicated.

With two weeks remaining before the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3, Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, and Gingrich, the former House speaker, each are favored by 30 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, results of the Washington Post-ABC News poll released Tuesday indicated.

Running third is Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, with 15 percent.

All other active candidates are in the single digits, results indicated.

The survey shows President Obama got his highest approval rating since March, with the number disapproving of his overall performance dipping below 50 percent -- 49 percent -- for the first time this fall.

In general election match-ups, results indicate Obama has leads over Gingrich and Ron Paul, but is in a dead heat against Romney.

Results are based on a nationwide telephone survey of 1,005 adults Thursday through Sunday. The margin of error is 3.5 percentage points for the overall sample.