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    January 21, 2012

South Carolina Polls Open in Republican Presidential Primary

   VOA News
   Locator map for South Carolina, featuring the Republican candidates
   running for their party's presidential nomination.
   Photo: VOA

   The polls have opened in South Carolina for Saturday's U.S. Republican
   presidential primary, expected to be a very tight race at the top.
   The front-runners among the four candidates have scheduled simultaneous
   campaign stops in the southeastern state at the same location Saturday.
   Recent polls suggest former Congressman Newt Gingrich is a surging
   challenger to former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
   On Friday, Romney tried to lower expectations, saying "to be in a
   neck-and-neck race at this last moment is kind of exciting."
   A week ago, many political polls indicated the South Carolina race
   would be an easy victory for former Governor Romney. But after sharp
   attacks from his rivals, and a series of upheavals in the race this
   week, many polls and political analysts say the race could be much
   closer.
   Gingrich could benefit from Texas Governor Rick Perry's decision to
   drop out of the race Thursday and endorse him.
   Gingrich joined Romney, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and
   Texas Congressman Ron Paul in a volatile debate in South Carolina
   Thursday night.
   The final four contenders argued over jobs, health care, and
   leadership. Gingrich became angry when questioned at the start of the
   debate about allegations by his ex-wife that he asked for an "open
   marriage" in 1999 to accommodate an extramarital affair. He denied that
   accusation, although the former speaker of the House of Representatives
   has admitted having affairs during his first two marriages.
   For many American voters, the U.S. economy and high unemployment are
   the big issues in this election. President Obama has no competition for
   the Democratic Party's nomination this year, but many political
   analysts say the sluggish economy means he faces a tough race against
   the eventual Republican nominee.

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