Poll: Romney holds the lead in SC

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney could cruise to a comfortable victory next Saturday night in the South Carolina GOP primary if recently released poll numbers are correct.

According to Public Policy Polling, a North Carolina-based polling group, Romney holds the lead in the Palmetto State with 29 percent of those polled supporting him for the GOP nomination for president.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is close behind Romney with 24 percent of support.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ron Paul has garnered 15 percent of support, former Sen. Rick Santorum gets 14 percent, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has 6 percent, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has 5 percent and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer has 1 percent.

However, one question in the poll could give a big boost to the other candidates. According to the poll, 58 percent of primary voters say they do not want Romney to be the nominee compared to 34 percent of primary voters who want him to be.

PPP surveyed 803 likely Republican primary voters from Jan. 11 to 13.

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