It looks like it's coming down to the vulture capitalist vs. the crony capitalist in South Carolina
(Phelan Ebenhack and Chris Keane/Reuters)
Public Policy Polling (PDF). January 11-13, 2012. Likely South Carolina Republican primary voters. ±3.5%. (January 5-7 results)
Romney: 29 (30)
Gingrich: 24 (23)
Paul: 15 (9)
Santorum: 14 (19)
Perry: 6 (5)
Huntsman: 5 (4)
Roemer: 1 (1)
Even though Mitt Romney's five point lead over Newt Gingrich isn't the widest of margins—and has shrunk slightly from last week—PPP's latest tracking poll brings some very good news for his primary campaign.
First, he leads each of the three hypothetical head-to-head matchups, topping Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Perry, suggesting that unlike in past contests, Romney isn't wholly reliant on divide-and-conquer in South Carolina. Moreover, while most Republicans still say they'd rather see a different nominee than Mitt Romney (58 percent say they want somebody else), his favorable ratings are better than any other candidate.
But while Romney is doing well relative to the other candidates, there are some warning signs. 27 percent of Republicans surveyed have an unfavorable view of his business record—that strikes me as a high number given that his version of "free enterprise" is what supposedly unites the GOP. 58 percent approve, leaving another 15 percent undecided.
By far the most amusing result in the poll: of the 34 percent of South Carolina Republicans who say they are not willing to back a candidate who had supported a health insurance mandate in the past, 16 percent support Mitt Romney and 33 percent Newt Gingrich ... both of whom have supported health insurance mandates. And you wondered why Republicans keep on nominating such numbskulls...
Overall, 35 percent say they might change their support.
1:08 PM PT: About one-quarter of those surveyed said they were uncomfortable with having a Mormon as president. 10 percent of those voters supported Mitt Romney and 2 percent supported Jon Huntsman.