Posted on 01/21/2012 3:50:40 PM PST by Steelfish
January 21, 2012 Lessons From the South Carolina Exit Polls By MICHAEL D. SHEAR 6:27 p.m. | Updated Here’s what we’re learning about the South Carolina primary electorate as the exit poll figures trickle in. This post will be updated as we dig deeper into the numbers.
Job Growth vs. Government Spending
In a state with a strong Tea Party presence, voters in South Carolina are divided over job growth versus government spending, according to early exit poll results.
All of the Republican candidates for president have argued for both deficit cutting and job programs. But a tilt in favor of deficit cutting might favor Mr. Paul, who has made that the central issue of his campaign.
A majority of voters said cutting the budget deficit, even if that limits job growth, should be a higher priority for the next president. About 4 in 10 said creating jobs should be a higher priority for the next president, even it that meant a higher budget deficit.
Whom to Blame for Negativity
Newt Gingrich came into the South Carolina primary complaining about the barrage of negative ads against him, especially in Iowa.
Gingrich Surge Convinces Late Deciders
Mr. Gingrich’s surge in South Carolina last week came at the best possible time, according to preliminary exit poll results this afternoon — just as voters were making up their minds.
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
Lot of indies - could be good night for RuPaul.
Bip! Newt will win FL and NV, not sure about CO. You’d think Romney will have the edge in MI. If Newt can keep his cool and stay aggressive with Romney he may win the nomination.
Nevada has one if the highest mormon populations in the country. Think Romney takes that state....
Which could mean a bad night for Santorum. A 4th place finish is his end. He might hang around in case Gingrich implodes, but this could be Santorum's swan song.
I hate to break it to you and I wish it were as you wrote, but there is no way Newt wins Nevada. I live out here and the only ads you hear are Romney’s. Not that there is a lot of excitement about Romney mind you, just a sense of inevitability. Romney easily took Nevada 4 years ago. This is heavily Mormon country and the GOP’ers out here are not as stout in their conservative beliefs as they are down South. In fact, I look for Ron Paul to finish a strong second in Nevada, very large streak of libertarianism cuts across the Nevada GOP landscape...
There’s a large mormon presence in Nevada - and they’re for the most part republican. Romney’s counting on them to see him through. Florida is most important; it has a lot of delegates to hand out and a win there will set him up well for Super Tuesday.
Look what Gov. Perry did for Newt.
I'm suddenly feeling some sympathy for the Gore-bots of AD 2000....Rick had the Iowa victory stolen from him by the GOP establishment "hiding" the real results; and in a contest where "momentum" is everything that may have cost him the nomination.
Yep. But Santorum will not make Newt implode. Smart thing for Rick to do if he insists on hanging around - would be to attack Obama and the liberals.
Looks like great night for Newt. Bad for Mitt, bad for Santorum, and who knows for Ron Paul.
Seven days before election day, liars lie a bunch.
One day before election day, liars lie less so that they will be able to lie more convincingly later.
That is all that has happened here.
If Ron Paul maintains his 20-25% in South Carolina, then I think he goes on to play an important part in the convention. I hope he does.
I won't vote for him, but I would like him to extract some promises on economic concerns from the eventual winner. Paul's foreign policy is loony, but his economics are very good and most FReepers would agree with them -- the state-regulated trade folks excepted, of course.
Thank you, South Carolina!!!
Come on Florida, we’ve got some voting to do!!
GO NEWT!!
You all are right. Not sure what I was thinking regarding NV.
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