South Carolina

The most obvious thing to say about Monday night’s debate is that it was better than almost all the previous ones, in part because there were fewer participants. We’ll get one more five-person debate on Thursday, then Rick Perry will most likely withdraw after Saturday’s primary—so we'll have four-person debates on January 23 and January 26 in Florida, which should allow for even more direct exchanges and contrasts, and for more information about the candidates’ views and skills.

Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Newt Gingrich had a performance Monday night that reminded people why he was once the Republican frontrunner for the Republican nomination. In a way, he had a built-in advantage—with candidates having 90 seconds to answer questions (instead of the usual 60), the most loquacious candidate is bound to do well.

The New York Times reports that national conservative Christian leaders are waiting until after the South Carolina primary on January 21 to coalesce around a "not-Romney" Republican candidate. Those leaders are meeting in Texas this weekend to discuss the race. Here's more from the Times:

Duncan, S.C.
After spending days locked in a bitter fight with some conservatives over his attacks on Mitt Romney as a corporate raider, Newt Gingrich made it clear tonight that he wants to change the topic and get back to attacking Romney from the right. Calling Romney "too liberal for South Carolina," Gingrich told reporters Friday evening that over the next few days there are "going to essentially be, I think, three themes" of his campaign. Gingrich then made the case against Romney on abortion, guns, and taxes:

A new poll of South Carolina primary voters, the latest from PPP, shows Mitt Romney with a lead over Newt Gingrich, 29 percent to 24 percent. Ron Paul just edges out Rick Santorum for third place there, with 15 percent and 14 percent support, respectively.

Rasmussen polling shows Mitt Romney leading in South Carolina, while Newt Gingrich is in second place and closing. It’s also interesting, however, to note the Republican candidates’ respective levels of support among Tea Party and non-Tea Party voters in what will be the first Republican-leaning state to host a 2012 GOP primary.

Mitt Romney has released a new television ad for South Carolina markets.

I’m flattered to be welcomed by Karl Rove, writing in today’s Wall Street Journal, to membership in the GOP establishment. I’m even more pleased by Rove’s statement that “No group of power brokers can pressure others into uniting behind one candidate. Millions of primary voters and caucus-goers will select the GOP's nominee. That's good enough for most of us.”

An Insider Advantage poll from South Carolina, taken after the New Hampshire primary, shows Mitt Romney with a narrow lead over Newt Gingrich.

Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina said yesterday that he thinks Mitt Romney will win the South Carolina primary on January 21.

Manchester, N.H.
When the votes were finally counted across New Hampshire Tuesday night, Mitt Romney posted a solid 16-point win that included strong support among voters who described themselves as very conservative and supportive of the Tea Party.

Hooksett, N.H.
The celebration for Mitt Romney here at Southern New Hampshire University is a quick affair. Roughly forty minutes after the last polls closed and the major TV networks had called the New Hampshire primary, Romney is wrapping up his victory speech. Supporters are filing out. Campaign surrogates are milling about to talk to reporters. The party is practically over.