A newly released Gallup poll finds Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, leading the Republican field in South Carolina.
The results, released just hours before voters in South Carolina are set to head to the polls to cast their ballots, show Mr. Romney’s lead down to just ten percentage points. Among likely registered Republican voters, Mr. Romney is leading nationally with 30 percent, compared to 20 percent for Mr. Gingrich, according to the poll. Ron Paul, a Texas congressman, and Rick Santorum, a Pennsylvania Republican, remain tied in third place, each receiving the support of 13 percent of respondents.
The poll likely only partially reflect the potential impact of the dramatic events that have roiled the GOP presidential race this week. These include the withdrawal of two candidates (former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman and Texas Governor Rick Perry) from the race, a televised interview given by Mr.Gingrich’s second wife in which she discussed her former husband’s extramarital affair, the continued focus on Mr. Romney’s tax returns, and the announcement that Mr. Santorum rather than Mr. Romney apparently won the Iowa caucuses.
The Gallup poll follows a poll released by Clemson University Friday afternoon showing Mr. Gingrich leading Mr. Romney by six percentage points. On Thursday, a Rasmussen Reports poll showed Mr.Gingrich with just a two-point lead over Mr. Romney, who earlier in the week had a 14-percentage point advantage. Mr. Paul settled into third with 11 percent, and Mr. Santorum continued to fall with 9 percent.
