Santorum's Ground Game Pays Dividends, GOP Race Heats Up

After disappointing finish in South Carolina, Rick Santorum's campaign found new life with a three-state sweep Tuesday.

For Kerry Wood, Rick Santorum's campaign ended weeks ago.  Wood, the director of Santorum's South Carolina campaign, hasn't just avoided campaigning for the former Pennsylvania senator after the Jan. 21 South Carolina primary — he's avoided presidential politics altogether.  "I have nothing else to do with that campaign," Wood said. "I didn't want to go into another state — I know a lot of other people did. After Jan. 21,  I helped close down offices, I helped pack stuff up afterwards, but after that, my focus shifted elsewhere."  The excitement and chaos of the South Carolina primary may seem like a distant memory to many in the Palmetto State now. Santorum finished a distant third to Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in January, but has …

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Greenville Consulting Firm Crucial in Gingrich's S.C. Win

The biggest winners in last weekend’s S.C. Republican Primary may have been Leslie Gaines and Ruth Sherlock, whose firm was chosen by presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich to run his campaign in South Carolina.

Top Ad Spenders Don't See Returns in Primary

Romney, Perry ad buys don't result in votes

Republican presidential candidates spent the most money ever on advertising during the South Carolina primary, but it didn't necessarily result in success at the polls. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry spent the most on ads in South Carolina and got little return on their investment, according to The State. Romney and his Super PAC spent $4.7 million for a disappointing second-place finish and Perry spent $2.5 million before dropping out of the race prior to primary day. In contrast, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich spent $2.4 million in South Carolina and still ran away with the primary, earning 40 percent of the vote. Rep. Ron Paul and Sen. Rick Santorum each spent about $1.7 million in South Carolina and…

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Voter Turnout Low in St. Andrews

Turnout at most of the 11 precincts was less than 12 percent

Voter turnout for precincts in the St. Andrews area was lower than voter turnout for Richland County and the state, but that's no surprise, said Gary Baum, deputy director of the Richland County Elections office.  "Based on past turnout, we weren't expecting a big turnout for the St. Andrews area," Baum said.  The 11 precincts in the area had between three and 12 percent turnout, according to data from the S.C. State Election Commission.  Richland County had voter turnout of about 15 percent, Baum said. Turnout in the 2008 primary was also about 15 percent, he said.  Most counties in the state had voter turnout between 30 and 40 percent — the highest voter turnout the state has seen for a Republican primary. Richland County was one of the …

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Primary Results: Record Turnout Gives Newt Rout

Early projections show Gingrich defeats Romney

COLUMBIA — A record number of voters turned out for the South Carolina primary Saturday and delivered former House Speaker Newt Gingrich a blowout win that may restart the entire race. Gingrich surged during the final week of the contest, overcoming a double-digit deficit to trounce former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney. Gingrich earned 40 percent of the vote and won all but three counties. "It is very humbling and very sobering to have so many people who so deeply want their country to get back on the right track," Gingrich said in his victory speech from Columbia. Gingrich's debate performances separated him from the field, especially when he attacked the media on Thursday night in Charleston. "It’s not that I am a good debater," he said. "It’s …

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Update: Gingrich's Lead Grows, PPP Says

Last PPP poll gives Gingrich 9-point lead

Update (10:35 p.m.): The final Public Policy Polling survey of South Carolina voters showed Newt Gingrich with his largest lead since December over Mitt Romney. The poll, released late Friday, showed Gingrich earning 37 percent support among the 1,540 likely primary voters surveyed and Romney earning 28 percent. Data showed that Gingrich's attacks on the press during Thursday's debate played well in the Palmetto State, as 77 percent of voters said they had a negative view of the media. Gingrich rose 13 points in PPP polling during the final week, while Romney remained stagnant. The poll also shows a small bump for Rick Santorum, who earned 16 percent support. Ron Paul was fourth with 14 percent. According to the pollsters at PPP,"Gingrich …

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Romney Underwhelms, Paul Surprises

Audience applauds all four candidates for doing well.

NORTH CHARLESTON — The night belonged to hard-hitting Newt Gingrich and underdog Rick Santorum during the last debate before the South Carolina primary, according to audience members leaving the event Thursday evening. While all four candidates faired well, many debate-goers said Gingrich and Santorum stole the show And then there was Ron Paul who surprised a few people like Tricia Boccabello of Charleston.  "I think Ron Paul did better than I expected him to," Boccabello said. "He actually came across as being pretty cogent." Debbie Jones of Isle of Palms, a former supporter of Texas Gov. Rick Perry's bid for president, also seemed swayed by Paul's debate performance. "I'm surprised that I liked some of the things Dr. Ron Paul said," …

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Ken Gagne

5:53 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012

who cares about abortion -i dont one way or the other -also what does your sex life have to do with national defense ?------and most woman give head --so vote for a woman for president ---lol   more ›