Romney Opens Wide Lead in South Carolina

By Jon E. Dougherty at 16 Jan 2012

(Newsroom America) -- The week before polls open in South Carolina, the nation's next primary, GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney has opened a commanding 21-point lead over his next closest rival, a new survey found over the weekend.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, released Saturday, found Romney with 37 percent support among Republicans, with Congressman Ron Paul and former Senator Rick Santorum tied for second place with 16 percent support.

Romney speaks to supporters following his primary win in New Hampshire Jan. 10.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who held a strong lead in the Palmetto State in December, has fallen back to 12 percent, or fourth place, the survey said.

"In primary races things can change quickly but it does look like Romney is in position to win South Carolina, and if he wins ... that's sort of the end of the road for most of his challengers," Ipsos pollster Chris Jackson told Reuters.

In a question to both Democrats and Republicans, the survey found most South Carolinians favored Romney over President Obama 46-40 percent.

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