Posted on 01/19/2012 1:36:08 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Three new polls released Thursday have Newt Gingrich in the South Carolina over Mitt Romney, while a third poll showed the former House Speaker received a boost from his debate performance Monday.
Gingrich leads Romney by 34 percent to 28 percent, according to Public Policy Polling. Gingrich has risen from 23 percent over the last two weeks as other candidates faltered.
Rasmussen has Gingrich at 33 percent versus Romney’s 31 percent. Romney held a 14-point lead in a Rasmussen poll taken just before Monday’s debate.
American Research Group puts Gingrich with 33 percent, narrowly ahead of Romney at 32 percent.
In a poll released by NBC/Marist, Romney has 34 percent over Gingrich's 24 percent. But the poll was taken before and after the debate in Myrtle Beach.
Before the debate, Romney led Gingrich by 37 percent to 22 percent. After Romney fumbled on several questions including one about his taxes and Gingrich won a standing ovation for how he would get the poor back to work, Romney's post-debate lead over Gingrich shrank 31 percent to 26 percent.
Another debate will be held at 8 p.m. tonight in Charleston on CNN -- two days before voters cast ballots on Saturday.
In addition to his strong showing at Monday’s debate, Gingrich received a push from Sarah Palin, who said she would vote for him in the South Carolina primary. Palin’s husband, Todd, formally threw his support behind Gingrich.
While some voters have expressed displeasure over Romney's role with the Bain Capital investment firm and opinions that he is more moderate than other candidates, Gingrich is facing a challenge with "Nightline" planning to air an interview with his second wife later tonight. Marianne Gingrich said her ex-husband wanted an open marriage.
All three polls had Texas congressman Ron Paul in third at 15 to 19 percent. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum finished fourth in all three polls at nine to 14 percent. Santorum’s results in Rasmussen polling are down five points since Monday and 13 points since winning the Iowa primary.
Nearly one-third of likely S.C. primary voters said they could change their minds, Rasmussen said. evangelical Christians and Tea Party voters all favored Gingrich heavily in the Public Policy Polling, American Research Group and Rasmussen polls.
Still, 62 percent of all S.C. voters think Romney will win the GOP presidential nomination, down from 69 percent two days ago, Rasmussen found. Polling numbers and margins of error: Rasmussen - 750 likely S.C. primary voters, plus or minus 4 percent; Public Policy Polling - 379 likely S.C. primary voters, plus or minus 5 percent. American Research Group - 600 likely voters, plus or minus 4 percent; NBC News/Marist - 684 likely S.C. primary voters, plus or minus 3.8 percent.
Loving the news today. It seems all that the liberal ‘pubes have against Newt is old stuff that just makes the accusers sound desperate.
Incorrect. Not 3 but 4 polls now show Newt ahead..
Besides ARG:
The other three:
Latest Polls Thursday, January 19
South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary PPP Romney 28, Gingrich 34, Paul 15, Santorum 14, Perry 5 Gingrich +6
South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary Insider Advantage Romney 29, Gingrich 32, Paul 15, Santorum 11, Perry 3 Gingrich +3
South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary Rasmussen Reports Romney 31, Gingrich 33, Paul 15, Santorum 11, Perry 2 Gingrich +2
If Newt gets through this to win the SC primary and then the nomination, he will literally have had the kitchen sink thrown at him and will still be standing.
Not to mention the fact that he’s been through this hell before and will have risen again. The Tea Party will be energized and ready for battle. The left will truly be afraid because Gingrich doesn’t fear them and will pop all their pretty balloons.
LOL... the coward is going to hide under his bed.
LOL Newt will scare him out.
I’m almost as eager about beating the GOP establishment as I am about voting for my candidate...not theirs.
“LOL... the coward is going to hide under his bed.
LOL Newt will scare him out.”
Right . Maybe Noot will make room for him under Pelosi’s couch .
Evidently, you are not aware of the fact that Romney believes in man made global warming and not only did Hillary Clinton sing his praises but so did Algore.
Newt/Sarah 2012?
[Yawn!]
Didn’t the Romney say something about “if you can’t take the heat”?
Ping to thread and Post #10!
It's all about delegates now. I believe Florida lost half its delegates due to playing with the primary date. If true, Florida isn't nearly as important as it was, with Super Tuesday the next big test.
If Newt wins in SC, and can win big, I believe that will, no doubt, change his fortunes in Florida -- although Mittens has shown to be very strong here in recent polling.
Yes! his staffers are not scheduling any debates in Fla...felt he was ganged up on last debate.
I predicted this would happen after the last debate
Romney gets his butt kicked in all debates because he is so shallow
Now that Newt is ahead in the polls he better get more time in the upcoming CNN debate
Romney wavering on Florida debates?
posted at 12:50 pm on January 17, 2012 by Ed Morrissey
And here we thought the big question on debate attendance would be whether CNN lets Rick Perry on stage this Thursday. Byron York reports that Mitt Romney has yet to confirm his presence at any of the scheduled debates in Florida, and the campaign says that’s no accident:
After a debate in which Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney faced attacks from all sides, the Romney campaign says it has not yet accepted invitations to participate in two high-profile debates leading up to the January 31 Florida primary, and a key Romney adviser is expressing fatigue and frustration over what he sees as a never-ending series of GOP debates.
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/01/17/romney-wavering-on-florida-debates/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.