STORY: Bolstered by positive poll numbers in Florida, Mitt Romney poked fun at rival Newt Gingrich's performance in the latest Republican presidential debate.
SOUNDBITE: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney saying:
"This last one Speaker Gingrich said he didn't do so well because the audience was so loud. The one before he said he didn't do so well because the audience was too quiet. This is like Goldilocks."
Romney made his comments at a rally in Pensacola, just one of many stops the former governor of Massachusetts is making ahead of the Florida's primary.
The latest polls show Romney ahead, with 41 percent of support from Florida Republicans and an eight point advantage over Gingrich. Former Senator Rick Santorum trailed with 13 percent and Texas Congressman Ron Paul came in at the bottom with 5 percent support.
In Port St. Lucie, Gingrich characterized Romney as too left leaning for many Republicans. He also told voters why he believes he's the right person to go up against Barack Obama this November.
SOUNDBITE: Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich saying:
"We ran a moderate in 1996 and we lost. We ran a moderate in 2008 and we lost. I think the only way to defeat Barack Obama is to run a solid, conservative, who can make the case for our values and our beliefs, our programs."
Gingrich also said he would carry on the legacy of the late president Ronald Reagan -- a hero to many conservatives.
SOUNDBITE: Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich saying:
"I'm very proud to run on a Reagan-Gingrich record, and to say that I want to be the best job creation, paycheck president in American history, by focusing on jobs."
Florida voters head to the polls on Tuesday.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.