Gingrich surging as South Carolina vote looms

Newt Gingrich is surging in South Carolina polls while Mitt Romney's campaign appears to be collapsing the day before the big primary.

I have viewed South Carolina as a 'king-maker' state ever since the 2008 primary and it could play the same role for the Republicans this time around unless it is a very close race. With Rick Perry dropping out of the race and conservatives appearing the recognize the need to rally around a single candidate, Rick Santorum's support appears to be drying up in the southern state.

Of the remaining conservatives, Gingrich seems to be picking up most of the votes from Perry and Santorum.

Sarah Palin thinks the interview with Gingrich's former wife just before the primary will actually help rather than hurt Newt. She may be right.  Conservatives are generally suspicious of the "liberal" media and the timing of the interview may play into Gingrich's hands as he will be viewed as victimized by the "left."

If Gingrich wins, he will be in a good position to rally even more conservatives into his corner. When you do the math, it's obvious that the conservative candidates combined are well ahead of Gingrich in the overall vote count.  In conservative Iowa, it appears that Santorum will actually come out the winner.

Should conservatives coalesce around Gingrich, he should become the favorite in many states where the Tea Party has established powerful get-out-the-vote machines.



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