South Carolina Likely Voters
If the 2012 Republican presidential primary in South Carolina were held today, whom would you support if the candidates are: [Two Candidate Field]
Newt Gingrich Mitt Romney Undecided
Row % Row % Row %
South Carolina Likely Voters 57% 33% 10%
Party Identification Republican 59% 31% 10%
Independent 53% 37% 9%
Tea Party Supporters 67% 26% 6%
Intensity of Tea Party Support Strongly support Tea Party 74% 22% 4%
Support Tea Party 64% 29% 8%
Does not support Tea Party 45% 43% 12%
Political Ideology Liberal-Moderate 43% 44% 13%
Conservative 57% 33% 10%
Very conservative 74% 20% 6%
Past Participation** Yes 58% 32% 10%
No 48% 40% 12%
Candidate Support Strongly support 71% 26% 3%
Somewhat support 55% 41% 4%
Might vote differently 52% 44% 4%
Most Important Quality Shares your values 58% 31% 11%
Is closest to you on the issues 56% 36% 8%
Can beat President Obama in 2012 65% 29% 6%
Has the experience to govern 50% 37% 12%
Gender Men 62% 31% 7%
Women 50% 37% 13%
Age Under 45 54% 39% 7%
45 or older 58% 31% 11%
Region Piedmont 61% 31% 8%
Midlands 63% 29% 8%
The Pee Dee 44% 40% 16%
Low Country 51% 37% 11%
Household Income Less than $75,000 57% 33% 10%
$75,000 or more 56% 35% 9%
Evangelical Christians 63% 29% 8%
Tea Party-Conservative-Evangelical 78% 16% 6%
Mormons are Christians Yes 52% 40% 9%
No-Unsure 62% 27% 11%
Education Not college graduate 59% 32% 10%
College graduate 55% 35% 10%
Interview Type Landline 58% 31% 11%
Cell Phone 52% 42% 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.