South Carolina Likely Voters
If the 2012 Republican presidential primary in South Carolina were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are: [Three Candidate Field]
Newt Gingrich Mitt Romney Ron Paul Undecided
Row % Row % Row % Row %
South Carolina Likely Voters 48% 30% 12% 9%
Party Identification Republican 51% 30% 9% 10%
Independent 44% 30% 19% 7%
Tea Party Supporters 58% 27% 9% 6%
Intensity of Tea Party Support Strongly support Tea Party 65% 23% 9% 3%
Support Tea Party 53% 30% 9% 8%
Does not support Tea Party 39% 34% 17% 10%
Political Ideology Liberal-Moderate 33% 38% 20% 10%
Conservative 51% 30% 10% 9%
Very conservative 66% 20% 8% 6%
Past Participation** Yes 51% 30% 10% 9%
No 28% 30% 31% 11%
Candidate Support Strongly support 60% 27% 11% 2%
Somewhat support 46% 37% 14% 2%
Might vote differently 45% 38% 14% 3%
Most Important Quality Shares your values 44% 28% 19% 10%
Is closest to you on the issues 48% 30% 12% 10%
Can beat President Obama in 2012 58% 32% 5% 5%
Has the experience to govern 46% 33% 12% 9%
Gender Men 52% 28% 13% 7%
Women 44% 33% 12% 12%
Age Under 45 36% 34% 21% 9%
45 or older 53% 28% 9% 9%
Region Piedmont 49% 27% 16% 8%
Midlands 55% 26% 11% 8%
The Pee Dee 43% 35% 9% 13%
Low Country 43% 37% 9% 11%
Household Income Less than $75,000 49% 28% 14% 8%
$75,000 or more 47% 35% 9% 8%
Evangelical Christians 55% 28% 10% 7%
Tea Party-Conservative-Evangelical 66% 22% 7% 5%
Mormons are Christians Yes 44% 38% 11% 7%
No-Unsure 53% 22% 14% 11%
Education Not college graduate 48% 28% 14% 10%
College graduate 49% 32% 10% 9%
Interview Type Landline 50% 29% 11% 10%
Cell Phone 40% 35% 19% 6%
NBC News/Marist Poll South Carolina Likely Republican Primary Voters. Interviews conducted December 4th through 6th, 2011, N=635 MOE +/- 3.9%. Totals may not add to 100% due to rounding.
**Past participation refers to previous participation in a South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary.