Clemson Palmetto Poll finds Gingrich (38%) momentum growing, most S.C. GOP voters still uncommitted

SCnow.com ^ | Dec 19, 2011

[Jim Robinson]

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Just one month before the state’s Jan. 21, 2012, presidential primary, Newt Gingrich’s popularity is increasing, yet most South Carolina voters are still unsure of who is the best GOP candidate to support.

That’s the finding of the second Clemson University 2012 Palmetto Poll of a sample of 600 South Carolinian voters. The S.C. presidential primary is expected to draw 600,000 voters early next year. The telephone poll was conducted from Dec. 6 to 19.

“With the demise of Cain’s candidacy, which was high in our November poll, Gingrich has risen in popularity,” said Clemson University political scientist Dave Woodard. “This surge is being reflected nationwide as well.”

All respondents said they will vote in the primary, however only about one-third (32 percent) indicated they have decided on a candidate to support.

“It appears most voters are keeping their options open and do not want to say their current choice will be their final one in the primary,” said Clemson political scientist Bruce Ransom. “The approaching primary is still not at the forefront of attention from the electorate. Candidate commercials are competing with holiday advertising and bowl game excitement here.”

Among respondents who had chosen or were leaning toward a candidate, the December Palmetto Poll showed Newt Gingrich (38 percent) leading the field, a noticeable surge over his third-place (10 percent) finish in the November Palmetto Poll. Mitt Romney (21 percent) stayed basically at the same level he was a month ago, and Ron Paul (10 percent) moved up from his November poll rating.

[Jim Robinson]

Meanwhile, in South Carolina where it really matters in the early primaries: Gingrich 38 percent, Romney 21 percent, Paul 10 percent, Perry 4 percent.

[dirtboy]

Yup, SC is where the rubber meets the road.

[humblegunner]

Man, I have trouble believing these polls.
They are done so many different ways and most are done with a goal.

[Utmost Certainty]

Great news.

In before Neuters arrive to flame the thread and proclaim that it means nothing.

[mamelukesabre]

We all know how accurate polls are.

[Utmost Certainty]

Damn, looks like one beat me.

[Artcore]

But...but...but, Karl Rove and the rest of the establishment say we need to run a srong moderate! ;-)

Screw you Rove...and Go Newt!

[Jim Robinson]

They’re not accurate at all. The only accurate polls are those recorded in the polling booth (and even they may be inaccurate what with only some of the dead voting, etc). Polls before then are simply used to try to sway the undecided. And I certainly hope that the majority of the undecided eventually start breaking toward Newt and away from Squish McRomney.

[arderkrag]

But but but Newt’s star is fading! /sarc

[Repeal The 17th]

The telephone poll was conducted...

(One of the other reasons that I thank you and FR
is that you forced me to learn basic HTML.)

[Salvation]

Newt has changed dramatically. Here are some FR links about his conversion.

Clemson Palmetto Poll finds Gingrich (38%) momentum growing, most S.C. GOP voters still uncommitted
Gingrich Threatens GOP's Chance to Nab Independents

The Evangelical Case for Newt Gingrich
Gingrich Represents New Political Era for Catholics
Gingrich Represents New Political Era for Catholics [ecumenical}
Newt Gingrich on Catholicism and JPII
Why Newt Gingrich Converted to Catholicism
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich Opens Up on Catholic Conversion and Embracing 'Overt Christianity'
Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism
Gingrich Keeps Quiet on Catholic Conversion (received into Church over the past weekend)
Exclusive: Newt Gingrich conversion details; plans release of JP2 documentary
Gingrich to Become Catholic During Easter Season
The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic

[Gator113]

Great news for the afternoon.

GO NEWT GO........ he’s going to beat Romney, win the presidency and stop Obama’s War on America. Oh, and he’s gong to make Karl Rove cry. ;>)

[big'ol_freeper]

[ynotjjr]

In about 3 weeks the States that matter will be starting to vote and they are: Florida: Gingrich +18.2… http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/fl/florida_republican_presidential_primary-1597.html

Virginia: Gingrich +26… http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/va/virginia_republican_presidential_primary-1776.html

New Mexico: Gingrich +25… http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/nm/new_mexico_republican_presidential_primary-1599.html

Pennsylvania: Gingrich +17.0… http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/pa/pennsylvania_republican_presidential_primary-1594.html

Georgia: Gingrich +39.0… http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/ga/georgia_republican_presidential_primary-1602.html

Don’t think anyone will really care what happened in Iowa or NH, these are some of the States that matter. Anybody got anything on Ohio, Texas, Illinois and Indiana?

[Parley Baer]

“Yup, SC is where the rubber meets the road.”

South Carolina is where the RINOs and Mitt Romney start to derail. Newt will carry the South and snowball from there. Go NEWT!

[TBBT]

Yes. But. Will Newt’s support still be there in S.C. if he does poorly in Iowa?

[PalmettoMason]

Yes. But. Will Newt’s support still be there in S.C. if he does poorly in Iowa?

Put it this way, we have a real popular bumper sticker down here. It says: "WE DON'T GIVE A DAMN HOW YOU DID IT UP NORTH!"

That goes double for New Hampshire.