SUSA and Rasmussen give us the first polls of South Carolina in 2008.
Democrats:
SurveyUSA. 1/4-6. Likely Democratic Primary voters. MoE 4.2% (12/17-18 results)
Obama 50 (39)
Clinton 30 (41)
Edwards 16 (17)
Rasmussen. 1/6. Likely Democratic primary voters. MoE 4% (12/16 results)
Obama 42 (33)
Clinton 30 (33)
Edwards 14 (17)
SUSA seyz:
There is across-the board movement away from Clinton to Obama. Among women: Clinton had led by 17 points, now trails by 14 points. Among blacks, Obama had led by 20 points, now leads by 46. Among white voters, Obama had been 3rd, is now 2nd, tied with Edwards, the two of them 9 and 10 points back of Clinton. Among Moderates, Obama was tied, now leads by 23. Among voters age 65+, Clinton had been at 61% a month ago, 40% today. In the Low Country, Clinton had led by 13, now trails by 16. Upstate, Obama had been tied, now trails by 16. In the Midlands, Obama had led by 5, now leads by 26. South Carolina Democrats name the Economy as the issue the next President should focus on ahead of all others. Among voters focused on the Economy, Obama leads Clinton 2:1. Among voters focused on Health Care, Clinton leads Obama 41% to 37%.
And note the Iowa effect:
One quarter of SC likely voters say they could change their mind before the SC Primary. Of those who may change their mind, Edwards' support is the weakest, Obama's the strongest. Among voters who made up their mind AFTER the Iowa Caucuses, Obama leads Clinton 63% to 13%.
Republicans
SurveyUSA. 1/4-7. Likely Republican primary voters. MoE 3.9%
Huckabee 36 (30)
Romney 19 (19)
McCain 17 (10)
Thompson 11 (18)
Giuliani 9 (13)
Paul 5 (0)
Upstate, Huckabee leads by 22. In the Midlands, he leads by 16. In the Low Country, he leads by 14. South Carolina Republicans think the next President should focus on Immigration ahead of all other issues. On Immigration, Huckabee and Romney had been tied, Huckabee now leads. Among Republicans who say the Economy is most important, Huckabee's support has quintupled over the past 60 days and he is now 2:1 preferred over all other.
And Republicans remain unsatisfied with their field.
43% of SC likely voters say they could change their mind before the SC Primary, significantly higher than the percent of SC Democrats who say they may change their mind. Among the comparatively few SC GOP voters who say they made up their mind after Iowa, Huckabee leads Romney 41% to 10%.