71% of likely GOP voters say Gov. Haley's endorsement has no influence.
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Monmouth N.J. (WACH) - A Monmouth University Poll reveals the endorsement of Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is not likely to sway likely primary voters in South Carolina's GOP primary.
Romney has a clear lead in South Carolina’s upcoming primary according to the Monmouth University Poll. The former Massachusetts governor registers 33% support among likely Republican voters in Saturday’s primary. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich places second at 22%. Former Senator Rick Santorum (14%) and Texas Congressman Ron Paul (12%) are in a close contest for third place. Texas governor Rick Perry trails with 6%.
Gingrich (30%) does best among those who call themselves very conservative, leading both
Romney (25%) and Santorum (21%) among this voting bloc. Romney does particularly well among
voters who see themselves as somewhat conservative (39%) and moderate or liberal (38%).
Nearly three quarters of the participants said (71%) Gov. Haley's endorsement makes no difference to their vote. Monmouth says 89% of those surveyed say they were aware of Haley's endorsement. Of the remainder, more say it makes them less likely (21%) rather than more likely (8%) to support Romney. Among those intending to vote for Gingrich, Santorum and Paul,
between 25% and 33% say Gov. Haley’s endorsement makes them less likely to support Romney and just
2% to 5% say it makes them more likely. Among Romney voters, 15% see the Haley endorsement as
positive and 8% see it as negative, but the vast majority (76%) say it makes no difference in their choice.
South Carolina primary voters intend to stay loyal to the GOP even if their preferred candidate
does not win the nomination. More than 7-in-10 (72%) say they will definitely vote for the Republican in
November and another 12% say they will probably support the GOP nominee.
Just 8% say they will vote for another candidate, 3% will not vote, and 4% are not sure what they will do. Between 75% and 83% of
Romney, Gingrich, and Santorum supporters say they will definitely support whoever takes the
Republican nomination. Just 53% of Ron Paul voters say the same.
The Monmouth University Poll was conducted by telephone with 963 likely South Carolina
Republican primary voters from January 12 to 15, 2012. This sample has a margin of error of + 3.2
percent.
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