Polling Snapshot Shows Gingrich Leading in South Carolina

A new Public Policy Polling survey in South Carolina — based on just one night of phone calls — shows Newt Gingrich leading Mitt Romney, 34% to 28%, followed by Ron Paul at 15%, Rick Santorum at 14%, Rick Perry at 5% and Buddy Roemer at 3%.

Key finding: “This is not a case of Romney imploding.  His support has been pretty
steady in the 28-30% range in our South Carolina polling so far. But
Gingrich has risen from 23% to 34% over the last two weeks, benefiting
from declining support for Santorum and also from undecided voters
moving into his camp.”

It’s the first of what will be three nights of tracking. PPP released the poll given Perry’s drop out from the race. It will be interesting to see how tonight’s debate and the interview with Gingrich’s ex-wife impact the results.