Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    January 21, 2012

Gingrich Has Early Lead in South Carolina Primary

   VOA News
   Photo: Reuters
   Republican presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt
   Gingrich talks next to his wife Callista (R) at a campaign stop at
   Whiteford's Restaurant in Laurens, South Carolina January 21, 2012.

   Former congressman Newt Gingrich is projected to have won the South
   Carolina Republican presidential primary, shaking up the party's
   campaign to find a candidate for this year's presidential election.
   Several national news organizations said their exit surveys of voters
   leaving polling places projected a solid victory for Gingrich.
   The polls closed at 7 p.m. and within an hour, preliminary vote tallies
   showed Gingrich winning with about 40 percent of the vote. His chief
   rival, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, had about 28 percent.

   Video of South Carolina voters

   Just a week ago, Romney was expected to win easily, but his campaign
   was hard hit by attacks over his wealth and his career as a venture
   capitalist. And in South Carolina, a southeastern state with many
   conservative voters, there were doubts that Romney was conservative
   enough.

   [Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney speaks at his South Carolina
   primary night rally in Columbia, Jan. 21, 2012. (Reuters)]
   
   And as Romney faltered, Gingrich surged in the polls after two
   well-received debate performances. It could be hours before the final
   votes are tallied.
   Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum was in third, with about 17
   percent. Texas Congressman Ron Paul was in fourth, with 13 percent.
   Gingrich's upset victory means that all three of the election events
   held so far have had different winners. Romney won the New Hampshire
   primary last week, and Santorum won the Iowa caucuses on January 3. As
   a result, the battle will continue to be hard fought in the next
   primary state - Florida. Republicans there will vote on January 31.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

.