46 percent say they don't like Gingrich

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Almost half of U.S. adults do not like Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, a Harris Poll poll released Friday indicated.

Forty-six percent of those surveyed said they do not like Gingrich as a person, 43 percent said they do not like his record as speaker of the House (1995-99) and 43 percent disagree with his political opinions.

Only 28 percent said they like him personally while 30 percent liked what he did as speaker and 32 percent liked his opinions.

More than 60 percent of Republicans liked Gingrich's record and opinions. But even in his own party, just 56 percent like him personally.

Self-identified conservatives liked him less than other Republicans.

Independents were evenly split on Gingrich.

Gingrich, who has been out of office for years, rose to the top of the pack of Republican presidential contenders after Herman Cain left the race. But party leaders and Republican pundits closed ranks against him and his numbers have dropped significantly.

Harris surveyed 2,237 adults online between Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. Harris does not calculate a margin of error.