Politico reports, that one line Romney officials are peddling to diffuse Perrymentum is that the Texas governor’s national polling totals are “inflated” by his strong showing in the South. There is some support for this claim.

Gallup’s poll showing Perry up 12 points Romney does indicate that the lion’s share of Perry’s support is coming from the South where Perry has a 27 point lead (39 to 12). Perry’s lead in the Midwest is only 3 points (23 to 20), and he leads Romney by 6 points (28 to 20) out West. Romney actually beats Perry in the East 17 to 16 percent.