Ron Paul Surges To Third Place In South Carolina Primary Poll Texas Congressman Ron Paul has surged to third place in South Carolina according to a poll released by the the American Research Group today. Two separate polls were conducted by the American Research Group on January 4-5 and January 11-12. The ARG poll has Romney at 29%, Gingrich at 25%, and Paul at 20%.
The Ron Paul 2012 campaign appears to be gaining traction in the South Carolina Presidential Republican Primary in another poll released by Rasmussen Reports today. Two separate polls were conducted by Rasmussen on January 5 and January 12.
Ron Paul enjoyed the largest jump in the polls amongst all of the GOP presidential candidates, where he rose from 9% to 20% (ARG) and 11% to 16% (Rasmussen) in that one week time period.
Rick Santorum suffered the largest decline amongst all of the Republican candidates in the polls. Santorum's polling numbers have fallen 17 (ARG) and 8 (Rasmussen) percentage points in one week.
Newt Gingrich also gained some ground where he rose from 24% to 25% (ARG) and 18% to 21% (Rasmussen), which may indicate that Gingrich's campaign in South Carolina, just like Ron Paul's campaign, is gaining momentum at just the right time eight days before the January 21st South Carolina Presidential Primary.
Rick Perry (6% Rasmussen, 9% ARG) and Jon Huntsman (5% Rasmussen, 1% ARG) still appear to be having a problem breaking out of the single digits.
RASMUSSEN: 1/5 1/12 Change Romney 27 28 +1 Gingrich 18 21 +3 Paul 11 16 +5 Santorum 24 16 -8 Perry 5 6 +1 Huntsman 2 5 +3
AMERICAN RESEARCH GROUP:
1/4-5 1/11-12 Change Romney 31 29 -2 Gingrich 24 25 +1 Paul 9 20 +11 Santorum 24 7 -17 Perry 2 9 +8 Huntsman 2 1 -1
Poster Comment:
This is surprising to me. I had written off SC thanks to the enormous numbers of Thumpers and ex-military. We're one week out with a "debate" on Monday. If by some miracle he can show a strong 2nd, true viability will be with him.