Poll: Santorum now leads GOP primary race

The wild race that is the Republican presidential primary has created another twist, as Rick Santorum has become the new leader of the field.

In a new poll released Saturday from liberal polling firm Public Policy Polling, Santorum's huge Tuesday night wins has now seen him surge ahead of both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich nationally, leading the race at 38 percent.

Romney is now in second place at 23 percent, while Gingrich is fading in third at 17 percent. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) is in fourth place at 13 percent.

In a press release, Public Policy Firm President Dean Debnan reminded readers of the unpredictable changes of the race to suggest Santorum could easily lose his top position.

“It’s been an amazingly fast ascent to first place for Rick Santorum,” Debnan said. “It’s important to keep in mind though that fewer than half of his voters are firmly committed to him. When he comes under attack in the coming days his lead could evaporate just as quickly as it was created."