Clemson poll released today: Gingrich leads Romney in SC, 32% to 26%

[highplainsdem]

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/ballot-2012/2012/01/20/clemson-poll-gingrich-leads-romney-in-south-carolina

It's Newt's race to lose in South Carolina, according to a Clemson University poll released Friday.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is leading former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney 32 percent to 26 percent, according to the survey started on Jan. 13 but "recalibrated" on Jan. 18 and 19 to "measure changing dynamics," according to a Clemson release.

"We expect a reaction by the electorate to the personal revelations about Gingrich to be registered on Saturday, however, we do not think it will be substantial enough to erase the lead Gingrich has over Romney," said Dave Woodard, a political science professor at Clemson, in a release.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul was third in the polling, garnering 11 percent support, with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in fourth place with 9 percent.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. Apparently Repukes would rather have a pig run than a Mormon. It's fun to watch the Repukes

struggle to find the least competent or most repulsive candidate they can find. But there's SO MUCH trash for them to pick from! The Rethugs must get so excited around this time of elections.

[joeybee12]

2. This is amazing...Newt is unelectable...

And yet they might nominate him...knr

[customerserviceguy]

3. While the ex-wife might do some damage

It's still a known situation with him. Besides, she helped him cheat on his first wife, that doesn't exactly make her look like a complete saint. She would be presumed to know that he had the morals of an alley cat.

Besides, he had a pretty good debate yesterday from all accounts I've read, and Romney had one of his worst ones. I say that the trend holds, and Gingrich wins tomorrow (yesterday, I had him at a tie). He will have the stones to ask Santorum to leave the race before Florida, and if Santorum finishes fourth, he probably ought to. If the fundie summit endorsement of last weekend doesn't help Santorum in South Carolina, it's not going to have that much influence in Florida, either.

Newtie has some powerful backing. I've heard pro-Gingrich ads from a super PAC playing on reich-wing radio in the NYC area, and we don't have any primaries here for months. Whoever is willing to spend that money at this point is probably prepared to back him heavily no matter what happens in SC, eventually Santorum's day in the sun in Iowa will prove to be too little, too late.

[DCBob]

5. Do you really think the Floridians will react the same way as SCarolinians?

I dont. Clearly there will be bump for the Newt for winning SC but that probably wont hold until the election. I think Mittens still wins FL then Grinch will need another juicy opportunity for an angry rant at the librul media to get his mojo back.

[customerserviceguy]

8. I do

I've been to both states, and I see some great similarities. If anything, the GOP base contains Cuban-Americans who would be even more likely to vote for Newt over Mitt, in my opinion.

Both states are filled with both Northeastern transplants, and native fundies for whom hypocrisy is second nature.

Bob, looks like I'm getting closer to that ale we bet!

[DCBob]

9. yes you are indeed!

[DCBob]

4. Amazing.. it does look like Newt could win this thing.

However, this is SC. Florida is next and I doubt the electorate there will respond anywhere near the same way as SC. But who knows.. the GOPer primary voter is a weird animal.

[morningfog]

6. If Gingrich pulls out a SC win, I think he'll at least stay in until Super Tuesday, when

a few more southern states vote.

[JI7]

7. i know this doesn't always mean much but i heard Romney was having trouble getting people

to attend his events.

they showed one where it wasn't even that large a room but there was a very small crowd and most of it was empty space.