Republican presidential hopefuls continue to woo voters in Iowa before the state’s caucuses open the 2012 primary season next week. In campaign stops on Wednesday, both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney took shots at President Obama.

Newt Gingrich: “Let me say in passing, I think the disaster of the President and Congress passing a two-month extension and going home as though they had accomplished something is really embarrassing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Washington more dysfunctional on a bipartisan basis than it is right now.”

Mitt Romney: “And we also have to have someone who can post up against President Obama on the economy, who knows the economy, who has credibility on the economy. And I do. It’s where I spent my life. I understand America because I’ve lived America, I’ve lived the American dream. And I want to be able to bring the promise of America to all of our people and make sure that we send President Obama back to his hometown, where he can go back and learn what it’s like to work in the private sector.”

With less than a week before the Iowa caucuses, the latest polls show Romney in a tight race with Texas Rep. Ron Paul. Paul has surged in Iowa polling this week, despite a recent controversy over bigoted statements in newsletters bearing his name in the 1980s and 1990s. Paul has distanced himself from the newsletters, saying he was unaware of their content. On Wednesday, Paul told Iowa voters he is gaining traction in part for his calls to change U.S. foreign policy.

Rep. Ron Paul: “We’re in 130-some countries, 900 bases, and believe me, we are not out of Iraq. That’s a dream, if you think we’re out of Iraq. We’re in there for long term, unless the people, not me, unless the people change their attitude about what we should do in how to run this—how to run the foreign policy. Right now, I sense the people are ready for a change in our foreign policy, they are ready for a change in our domestic spending policy. And I think that probably is a good indication why we’re doing a little bit better in the polls.”

Rick Santorum is also surging in Iowa, with some polls showing he has surpassed Newt Gingrich.