The SC GOP establishment is horrible, and not always that successful. They got their asses handed to them in 2012 by Newt - by 14 points - in RECORD ALL TIME TURN OUT.
The key is whether anyone, say Cruz, will run the type campaign in SC that Newt did. Another key will be whether or not there are two debates that week.
Another key will be how the GOP e is split in SC between Rubio, Graham and Jeb, because all three will get some estab support. Mitt had almost that audience to himself last go round, and he still got whipped. I would not worry about this at all.
South Carolina conservatives’ love affair with Rubio goes way back to his taking out Crist in 2010. That was the first BIG TP win.
Debates ... and the soundbites that they can generate ... are all important due to many voters being so influenced by soundbites (thank you government schools ...)
Regarding Newt's 14 point S.C. win in 2012 ... I think Juan Williams deserves big credit for his assist in the debates to the cause ....(click on me!)