Another independent poll of likely New Hampshire Republican Party presidential voters shows a large lead for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. According to ABC News, Romney has a 17-point lead in the state that is the site of the nation's first GOP presidential primary.

Romney's consistent lead in public polls may soon lead to other Republican candidates aiming for second place in New Hampshire.

In addition to constant Romney leads, another consistent factor among several public surveys is the total and utter collapse of the candidacy of Fred Dalton Thompson. Numerous polling of late indicates the former US Senator from Tennessee is polling well below right-wing political extremist Ron Paul. Paul is a congressman from Texas.

Here are the findings of the ABC News/Washington Post poll:

Romney:  37%

US Senator John McCain of Arizona:  20%

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani:  16%

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee:  9%

Congressman Ron Paul of Texas:  8%

Thompson:  4%

This ABC News/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone

Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2007, among a random sample of 488 New Hampshire adults likely to

vote in the 2008 Republican primary. The results have a 4.5-point error margin.

Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, Pa.