5 Keys to South Carolina Primary

Gingrich could make it a two-man GOP primary race

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 21, 2012 1:53 PM CST

(Newser) – With Newt Gingrich surging and Mitt Romney admitting he could lose South Carolina, Huffington Post offers five keys to the primary that has picked every Republican nominee since Ronald Reagan:

Newt vs. Mitt: If Romney wins, he will be treated as the future GOP nominee. If Gingrich wins, the media will create a "Three Contests, Three Winners" storyline that assumes Rick Santorum still has a chance.

But does he? The news that Santorum won Iowa hasn't yet registered on the political radar screen. And his subtle debating skills this week aroused few passions. The press might bust him for it.
Ron Paul: If his percentage is as strong as in Iowa and New Hampshire—after he barely tried in South Carolina—he must be considered a force.
Sarah Palin vs. Nikki Haley: Once nearly BFFs, they are now at odds, with Haley backing Romney and Mama Grizzly supporting Gingrich—if only to make sure Mitt doesn't cakewalk into the nomination.

Click here for HuffPo's fifth point, about the "Colbert bump."

Elaine Magliacane of Myrtle Beach, S.C., walks the grounds of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Monday, Jan. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Supporters wave their signs on January 21, 2012, in Greenville, South Carolina. (Getty Images)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

schmidtkoff

Jan 21, 2012 6:04 PM CST

i'm in for gingrich.to win sc. but only because romney is such a sleaze ball. i mean this guy is so slimey, so yuckee that only a fool would want him to be prez. he literally makes my skin crawl. mr. robot personified. newt vs. obama debates would be awesome. go obama.

No_Mitt_No_Newt

Jan 21, 2012 4:38 PM CST

WAKE UP AMERICA! LETS ALL UNITE BEHIND ONE TRUE LEADER! RON PAUL is the WINNER in South Carolina debate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhjkLOvD40E&feature=related S.C. Sen Tom Davis on Cavuto, Endorsing Ron Paul 1/16/12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhJAKhN_eSI&feature=related Israel SHOCKS WORLD and endorses The Ron Paul Foreign Policy?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy_HVTyYnpE&feature=related Arian Foster supports Ron Paul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQAyPmtZDnQ&feature=related Barry Manilow on Ron Paul: "I agree with just about everything he says'’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1nH51LANSI&feature=endscreen&NR=1 Ron Paul and Mitt Romney Growing up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2GXJi3j2h0&feature=related The Homes of.. Romney Gingrich Santorum and President RON PAUL! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bcAAUPDeZk&feature=related SANTORUM,GINGRICH,ROMNEY ,& Obummer is more of the same Goldman sachs and DEM./REP. establishment. Dont be fooled again, We cant afford to make the same mistake twice.RON PAUL PRESIDENT 2012

Dave99

Jan 21, 2012 4:01 PM CST

1) Start out by announcing that God has revealed to you that you are the chosen one 2) Tell some stupid anecdote that begins with the phrase "Ya know my daddy use to say ..." 3) Wear 100 flag pins 4) Call Lincoln the greatest criminal in all of history 5) Go full retard

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5 Keys to South Carolina Primary

Gingrich could make it a two-man GOP primary race

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Republican presidential primaries • South Carolina primary • Sarah Palin • Nikki Haley • Newt Gingrich 2012 • Mitt Romney 2012 • Ron Paul 2012 • Rick Santorum 2012

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Even though Santorum didn't bow out until April 10

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But his delegate deficit remains daunting

Romney Wins Easily in Illinois

Rick Santorum finishes a distant second

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Some cite lackluster performance in state he could have dominated

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