A few weeks ago the general question was who was going to win the Iowa caucus, but now that the results are in and Mitt Romney is shaped up as the favorite, the focus has shifted. Now, the answer to the question who will win the New Hampshire primary troubles both candidates and analysts.

Winning the New Hampshire primary is of dire importance for all Republican candidates, but for front runner Mitt Romney, a second successful strike would definitely mean obtaining an early nomination. All data point out to a positive result for the former Massachusetts governor.

A poll by CNN/Time magazine shows Mitt Romney is in the lead with 37 percent support, followed by Rick Santorum at a huge difference, at 19 percent. Newt Gingrich is down to 18 percent, while Ron Paul holds 12 percent support. Meanwhile, Rick Perry is at 5 percent support and is rapidly going out of focus.

Another poll, by Rasmussen this time, has Romney with 27 percent support, followed by Santorum with 24 percent, Gingrich at 18 percent and Paul with 11 percent.

Fergus Collen writes for the online edition of the Wall Street Journal that although New Hampshire primary voters pretend they aren’t that interested in what happens in Iowa caucuses, the truth is completely different. Collen says that “New Hampshire voters react to the Iowa caucus results, confirming or correcting them as needed. South Carolinians will do the same in turn”.

The truth is that everybody expects Mitt Romney to win the New Hampshire primary vote, and most likely this is a thought shared by the other candidates too. The Washington Post writes that “the question for Romney isn’t so much whether he will win Tuesday, but by how much”.

Same source writes that for Rick Santorum the New Hampshire primary vote is a test. It seems that at the moment Santorum stands out as a potential alternative to Mitt Romney, however he will have to prove himself.

Businessweek.com points out that the New Hampshire primary vote will focus mostly on economic issues. Thus candidates with practical and competent economic bids are poised to win the vote, as voters are looking for a candidate with sound fiscally responsible policies to address issues such as unemployment and slow growth in the economy and in wages.