Posted on 01/15/2012 10:32:42 PM PST by TitansAFC
ATLANTA — As the GOP races settles into South Carolina, Mitt Romney isn’t enjoying the double-digit lead he held in New Hampshire, according to a survey conducted Wednesday night.
The former Massachusetts governor’s lead is so small in the Palmetto State that he’s essentially tied with Newt Gingrich, according to a poll for the Augusta Chronicle and Savannah Morning News conducted by InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion Research.
Romney’s 23 percent and Gingrich’s 21 fall within the 3.6 percent margin of error. Rick Santorum, who came in second in the Iowa caucus is in third pace in South Carolina with 14 percent, while Ron Paul, the runner up in New Hampshire, is effectively tied with him at 13.
Jon Huntsman has 7, and Rick Perry has 5 while 17 percent are undecided or favor a candidate not offered as a choice in the survey.
The telephone survey questioned 726 registered voters who said they were likely to vote in the South Carolina GOP primary. Voters don’t have to be Republicans to participate in the Jan. 21 balloting, but independents generally make up a small share of the total, according to pollster Matt Towery, president of InsiderAdvantage.
Romney, Gingrich and Paul all do equally well with the independents in the survey. Paul, though, is getting little traction from long-time Republican voters.
Romney does better with female voters while men prefer Gingrich.
“This is not good news for Mitt Romney,” said Towery, who chaired several of Gingrich’s congressional campaigns before becoming a non-partisan pollster. “There is no other way to put it. This means it is a dead-even race. South Carolinians couldn’t care less about New Hampshire or Iowa.”
Romney, on his second try for the nomination, won the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary this month, the first non-incumbent Republican to do so. However, those back-to-back wins don’t seem to be giving him overwhelming momentum this far South.
Gingrich represented the western part of neighboring Georgia for 20 years in Congress and apparently knows how to appeal to southern voters who tend to be more concerned about social issues than those in New Hampshire.
The Jan. 21 GOP primary in South Carolina is regarded as the first meaningful contest because of what the results will signal for the party’s chances of defeating President Obama in November. Of course, it’s also stoking anticipation because of the legendary ruthlessness of the state’s political operatives.
Republicans in South Carolina like to remind people that their primary picks presidents, or at least presidential nominees. Since 1980, when Ronald Reagan won 55 percent of the vote, no candidate has captured the Republican nomination for president without notching a win in South Carolina’s GOP primary. In the 2008 election, eventual-nominee John McCain won the South Carolina primary with more than 30 percent of the vote, trailed by Iowa winner Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson. Romney came in fourth in South Carolina with about 15 percent.
This time, the results will be dramatically different, as the state’s active Evangelical voting bloc is expected to set aside prejudice in favor of pragmatism. Support among their ranks may signal that they accept Romney, a Mormon, in part for being the candidate largely believed to offer the toughest challenge to President Obama.
Since Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary, where Romney steamrolled his rivals with nearly 40 percent of the vote, the candidates have swarmed the Palmetto State. They are stumping at barbecue joints, pharmacies, universities and local government buildings. On Monday, the candidates are scheduled to participate in a debate in Myrtle Beach, hosted by the SCGOP, Fox News Channel, The Wall Street Journal, and Twitter.
Some are seeing the Palmetto State as their last chance to justify their candidacy.
Sorry Titans I was using the report abuse facility of this thread at post #40 to tell the AM about a problem on the Cal Board, but hit the wrong button. Just ignore please.
I think Huckabee was the spoiler last time, only Romney would have been the candidate had he dropped out sooner, then maybe Romney would have beat Obama as the economy was a big issue.
This time we got Santorum doing the same thing. No money, no organization, just a big ego and a fuzzy headed following.
He’s a good and decent man. Would be great in various cabinet posts, but look he can’t even win his senate seat...B. He’s a light weight and looks even lighteer in those rediculous sweater vests.
C. He’ll hang in there as long as he’s making money selling vests etc. If you ad his totals to Newt’s we’re ahead. Perry too, and we’re way ahead.
I SAY THIS. NEWT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STAY IN THIS UNTIL IT’S JUST YOU AND ROMNEY. THEN PEOPLE WILL SEE THE DIFFERENCE.
DO WE REALIZE THAT ONLY LIKE 0.6 % OF THE REPUBLICANS HAVE VOTED THUS FAR? ARE WE GOING TO PICK THE WINNER FROM JUST TWO OR THREE STATE PRIMARIES?
“he was going down from his attack on the free markets, that is why he is currently “
Newt didn’t attack free market principles, he attacked crony captialism. The only folks criticizing Newt are the liberal press and “so called” conservatives that have moved left beause they have something to gain from crony captialism.
I agree. Newt needs to stay in for the duration.
Eventually, both Ricks will endorse Newt.
That leaves Newt, Romney and Paul (who is supporting Romney during the primary and will probably endorse Zero in the election HA)
When it’s down to Newt, Romney & crazy Paul...
Newt will win every state. Especially if he has both Ricks supporting him at appearances, etc.
WE need to all pray about it, and be patient. Newt has the money and the backing and he knows in his heart that this is his and our country’s last chance.
Romney is not the man. Plus, it’s time for the republicans to clean house and get true democrats in there.
You seem to have a complete misunderstanding of cronyism. Go buy a book.
....no, u need to take off those liberal rose colored glasses ur are reading with.....!
because Santorum can’t beat Romney.
Santorum never polled ahead of Romney nationally, Santorum never polled ahead of Romney anywhere that I am aware of, while Gingrich was polling 30-40 points ahead of Romney in some places at once time including swing states like Florida.
Listen, Santorum is a good guy... it’s just that he can’t beat Romney, not even in a one on one. Only Gingrich can do that.
This may be met with disagreement, but this could be the moment Palin can accomplish much good.
Palin has enormous influence.
After the SC primary, she should announce a press conference and publicly, clearly at the side of her decided upon candidate, endorse one of the remaining three candidates Gingrich, Santorum or Perry.
The moment that happens, that candidate will get an immediate 10% surge just from Palin’s endorsement alone, and it will almost certainly lead the other two to the logical conclusion they are now running a futile campaign.
In a sensible world (which we may still have) that conclusion will lead the other two, to climb down and send their supporters also, to the remaining champion, to then wage the real battle for the GOP against Romney.
Governor Palin, now is the moment you can alter the course of this election.
Please do.
Pride goes before a fall....
I think he already learned that.
Romney and Newt both falling, but Mitt falling faster. Beneficiarries are Huntsman and Paul. This is a testament to the power of negative campaigning and how it influences voters.
But will Romney get Huntsman’s 7% now?
**********
You have asked the question of the day. I’m hoping the answer is no but fearing it is yes.
These are men with huge egos. I don't think any of the three will actively campaign for the eventual survivor, but the will endorse someone.
That's wrong too. Cronyism is getting government monies funneled to a "crony" who in turn funnels the money back into the campaign coffers of the official who moved the funds. See Solyndra.
“That is one form, the other is lobby to get goods and services out of government that no one else gets.”
That is the point I was trying to make...sorry if I didn’t make it clear...you and I don’t disagree on this....
You are right on, friend!!! Come this Saturday evening, both Gingrich & Perry will be burnt toast. Romney, number one, Santorum, number two and, Ron Paul, number three!!! Both Gingrich & Perry fell on their own swords and did them selves in. Romney had nothing to with it. Santorum is where the fight is!!! Ron Paul will not get the nomination, but.....he will have a substantial and lasting impact on this POTUS election!!!
Don’t get too downhearted. IMHO, others players are yet to enter this contest. If Gingrich & Perry would be voters are smart, with common sense, they will cast their votes for either Santorum or Paul!!!
I wonder if he will talk about the new ad out where...
Romney said, "You can ask a judge to get an abortion if your parents don't want it".
Says it all!!!
That comment was from a few years ago
I think it masy have been during a deabate ???
Mitt just stinks to the high heavens all the way around. He eludes pure control freak, ego maniac but not a hint of honesty..anywhere.
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