Gingrich Maintains 6 Point Lead (In S.C. Released FIVE Minutes Ago!)

PPP ^ | 1-19-12 | Tom Jensen

[tcrlaf]

Thursday may have been one of the most eventful days of the Republican campaign so far, but the state of the race in South Carolina didn't change much. Newt Gingrich continues to lead Mitt Romney by 6 points, 35-29, with Ron Paul and Rick Santorum each tied for third at 15%.

Revelations from the Marianne Gingrich interview haven't taken a toll on Newt's image yet. For the first time in our South Carolina tracking this month his favorability is better than Romney's, with 53% of voters holding a positive opinion of him compared to 51% for his chief competitor.

Gingrich's lead with evangelicals held steady today at 40-22 over Romney. He's also doing well with Tea Party voters (46-21), registered Republicans (38-30), voters describing themselves as very conservative (41-21), men (39-27), and voters in the Upstate (36-25).

Romney is leading with non-evangelicals (39-30), independents (30-26), moderates (44-23), and women (32-31). The problem for him is that all of those groups are a minority within the South Carolina Republican electorate.

[GR_Jr.]

I expect his lead to double over night after this debate. I think Newt sealed a large, significant win tonight.

[org.whodat]

You are living in a twilight zone. And those rose colored glasses are a bitch. All I heard was I am the emperor I dare you question the emperor . LOL, here this will help. http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DXVSRm80WzZk&sa=X&ei=-OEYT6OaIsLXtwej852-Cw&ved=0CDMQuAIwAQ&usg=AFQjCNHa_POv0LSyckGex9TMvtD_p1xxgQ

[Kenny]

I think Governor Perry really helped Newt. Never could understand the numbers. Everyone I talked to loved Perry.

[ak267]

I wonder how many points Santorum loses tonight?

[maine-iac7]

The crucial question is - who do you think - honestly - could win the debates against obama - THAT is the bottom line...

If obama gets another 4 years, that will be the end of free elections.

He will not be hampered by worrying having to face another election - he and the powers behind him will go full bore on their quest to destroy this country and our freedoms.

Read history - other countries have been destroyed in less time - and we will never live to see freedoms restored again.

WE need to remember this is not an election as usual. This is for the very life of our country and our freedoms.

ALso, if Rick S. looks like he’s a danger to the dems - the media will go full bore on the story about his wife. To Them, nothing is sacred. They’re sitting on it now - saving it for the best/worst moment. That would lose him much of what evangelical votes he has -

[tcrlaf]

Okey dokey, then... (Moves away slowly...)
I’d suggest putting down the crack pipe first, then stepping bacl Slowly...

[spokeshave]

Say hello to my lil frien: < P >

Also Grandad and Jr....

< P > < p >

[TBBT]

In all fairness. I think Santorum had a pretty good night in the debate. But it wasn't stellar. His SOPA answer was poor. Also, he still has a problem with angry man petulance. Will it move the needle for him. I doubt it. The reality of his current status is the biggest drag for him. Newt is now seen as the only conservative that stop Romney in the state. The PPP poll reinforce that. The key statement:

Santorum has the voters most likely to abandon him for one of the more viable contenders in the final 36 hours, with 32% of them saying they could end up voting for someone else. Gingrich is the second choice of 45% of Santorum voters open to changing their minds, compared to 22% for Romney.

In terms of highlight reels - Newt's opening in the debate will get - by far - the most play. This will help him. Overall, Newt had a good night, but no real breakout moment. Romney's poor performance will help. Santorum landed a lot of good punches on Romney tonight, but it's just as likely that Newt will benefit from them vs. Santorum. Romney's performance - as I just mentioned - was pretty poor and it may cost a few more points in the polls/final results.

[Kansas58]

I tuned in late what was Santorum’s “melt down”?

[annieokie]

Listening to the CNN after show, the are saying he knocked it out of the park with that opening. Even though it was an attack on one of the own, they gave him credit. That is a good thing.

The way NEWT can handle the Press and mods, is exactly what will be needed in any debate with Obama. He will not let them get by with anything and thats what we need, a pit bull who is not afraid of them, in fact just the opposite, they are afraid of him and Zero will be all weeweed UP. Can't wait to see it.

Big day for Newt.

[Salvation]

Go, Newt!

[maine-iac7]

I think Governor Perry really helped Newt. Never could understand the numbers. Everyone I talked to loved Perry.

My estimation of Rick Perry took a leap today. He showed he puts our country ahead of his personal ambitions. That should stand him good in the future.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks tcrlaf.

[tcrlaf]

Uber-Lib 538.com Tweet:

New polls put Gingrich ahead in our SC forecast. Gingrich 62% chance of winning.

[okie01]

they are afraid of [Newt] and Zero will be all weeweed UP. Can't wait to see [the debates].

If there are any. There's no guarantee -- constitutional or statutory. Both parties must agree to the debates being held -- and their format.

If Obama does somehow agree to debate Newt, I imagine the terms will be restrictive -- only two debates, say, and a split screen format, with the principals in two different locations.

[swampfox101]

You have two good men to choose from that’s for sure....!

[swampfox101]

You have two good men to choose from .....

[RockinRight]

Newt absolutely annihilated King with the response to that first question.

[RockinRight]

Santorum can’t pull off “assertive”. He just comes across as a ahiny jerk when he tries. Newt, OTOH, can tear you limb from limb, making you smile and nod the whole time he does it.

[Hoodat]

I remember watching a debate from his senate seat loss and knew he won hands down but the press was relentless so he was swept up like many others that year.

I watched three of those debates against Bob Casey. Casey looked like he was on dope in each of them. Santorum won hands down, but the tide simply went against Republicans that year.

I encourage you to stay true to your conservative principles and vote for Rick Santorum. Your conscience will remain clear. Listening to the debate on the radio, the substance of what Rick said was far above anything else on that stage tonight. But sadly, there are many among us that appreciate style more than substance.