December 4, 2007
Posted: December 4th, 2007 02:39 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) – South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham is standing by his man, insisting Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, whom he endorsed, is doing well in the Palmetto State.

Still, Graham conceded to reporters Tuesday that “what you see nationally with Huckabee is happening in South Carolina.”

Graham was responding to a new USA Today/Gallup poll that places former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in second place nationally among Republicans.

South Carolina is a key Republican primary state, and has historically been a firewall for Christian conservatives like Huckabee.

The increased Palmetto State support Graham senses hasn’t shown up in polls yet - an AP-Pew survey of South Carolina voters out Tuesday put Huckabee in fifth place there.

But that survey was taken over a lengthy period earlier this month, and may not fully reflect the recent surge in support for the former governor. In addition, in the crowded GOP field, fifth place is just 9 percentage points behind the poll’s leaders, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, who were each chosen by 19 percent of people surveyed.


–CNN Radio’s Lisa Desjardins

Filed under: John McCain • Mike Huckabee • South Carolina


Independent in NY   December 5th, 2007 9:48 pm ET

K Wilkinson, It's not his wit or religion I'm impressed with; it's his Flat Tax idea.
HUCKABEE IN 2008!

K Wilkinson MG TX   December 5th, 2007 12:53 am ET

I hope that the good people of South Carolina do some thorough research before settling on Huckabee.

His record is alarming and a Huckabee Presidency would devastate our economy and hand over what is left of our country to the illegals.

While Governor he increased the tax burden in his state by 47%, aiding in the bankruptcy of 105,000 of his constituents. While they were struggling to pay their bills and feed their children, he was fighting for college tuition breaks for the children of illegals.

Do you really want this man to be your President?

Please don't be overly impressed with his wit or relegion. We need America to be responsible about voting. We can not take a blow from Huckabee.

James Bell, Columbia, SC   December 4th, 2007 11:37 pm ET

The grass is greener on the Ron Paul side. If you want more of YOUR hard earned money in your pockets, and for the Government to do their jobs and leave you alone, take a look at Ron Paul. You will be pleasantly surprised.

FAIR TAX,LA.   December 4th, 2007 8:27 pm ET

FAIR TAX BABY! ALL DA WAY!!!!!!! HE WILL BE A GOOD (GREAT LEADER FOR AMERICA!

Lee, Mays Landing, New Jersey   December 4th, 2007 7:52 pm ET

The legacy of the civil war lives on, and it's felt deepest in South Carolina. They'd still vote for Jefferson Davis if given the chance so the fact that they would actually seriously consider a man that denies evolution and believes the earth is just over 6000 years old is no surprise.

Ca Native   December 4th, 2007 5:33 pm ET

Prediction:

Huckabee ~ McCain ticket .. narrowly beats Obama ~ Edwards ticket for the White House.

Hillary happy.

Daniel, NY   December 4th, 2007 5:20 pm ET

New polls out today show some big Huckabee momentum. The biggest probably is a general election poll from Ohio just released that has Huckabee running stronger than Giuliani against Democrats!

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