More Good News For Romney In SC, And Some For Thompson Too

Just out, a new Rasmussen poll from South Carolina, which confirms Mitt Romney's surprising strength in the Palmetto state.

In this poll, Romney is tied for the lead with Fred Thompson, both at 21%, with Giuliani trailing at 13%--within striking distance of Huckabee, who has jumped to 12%.

The poll is good news for Romney, because any kind of decent showing in the first Deep South primary will boost his electability pitch. Romney surely doesn't need to win in SC, but if he did, especially following on the heels of victories in Iowa, NH, and Michigan(?), then he'd be on his way to the nomination.

The poll should also hearten the Thompson camp, which hasn't had much to cheer about of late. In an ARG poll a couple weeks ago, Thompson trailed Romney by 19 points in SC--which we now treat as an anomaly of that poll and not an accurate result.

Unlike Romney, however, Thompson MUST win SC or he is done (unless he pulls off a very unlikely surprise in Iowa or NH). We would hope his strategists realize this and pour their resources into the state. It won't be easy, especially with Huckabee coming on strong, but it really is big Fred's only realistic chance to prove he can be a winner. And if he loses to Romney, of all candidates, then Fred's claim to the southern electorate is toast.

So, while Romney and Huckabee beat on each other in Iowa, we'd expect to see a lot the Fred'ster in SC over the coming weeks.