Republican party chair predicts "battle royale" in South Carolina

By: Caroline Horn
Topics: Campaign 2012

Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum

Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum over a flag of South Carolina.

(Credit: CBS/iStockphoto/Getty)

If you thought the fights were nasty in New Hampshire, wait until the presidential candidates descend on South Carolina, where the the head of the state Republican party is predicting a "battle royale" starting Wednesday.

South Carolina Republican party chair Chad Connelly said Iowa and New Hampshire tend to play nice, but voters in the Palmetto state "are used to the fights."

About $5 million in television ad buys were placed Monday, Connelly said, although he did not have the details of the expenditures. The super PAC "Restore Our Future," which is backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, has purchased $2.3 million worth of ad time. And a pro-Newt Gingrich super PAC, "Winning Our Future," has bought an additional $3.4 million worth of television ads on behalf of the former House speaker. Connelly expects an additional $15-$20 million worth of advertising to be purchased before the January 21 primary.

South Carolina has traditionally had bruising primary fights in both the Republican and Democratic parties, and Connelly said he doesn't think this year will be any different. The nasty fliers and robo-calls are almost certainly on their way, he said.

"It's just a matter of time," Connelly said.

In a CNN/ORC/Time poll released last Friday, Romney led the GOP field with 37 percent. He was followed by former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum at 19 percent and Gingrich at 18 percent.

Connelly said Romney has ramped up his presence in the state later than he did during his 2008 presidential campaign, but that he has a strong organization. The GOP chair also said the grassroots organizations of Santorum and Gingrich will surprise people.

Caroline Horn is CBS News' senior producer for politics.
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by antoniof123 January 11, 2012 11:07 AM EST: Doesn't this bother anyone but me look at the money being spent it is only a 400,000 a year job what is wrong with you people?; Reply to this comment


by lostlake2 January 11, 2012 2:01 AM EST: Well we have South Carolina to thank for the Civil War, maybe this time we can call on them to help us end these wars. We know there are suppose to be a lot of Christians up that way but saying you're a Christian and living like one is two different things.

It is my prayer that you people who live in South Carolina will do the right thing and help us save this Country by voting for Dr. Ron Paul.; Reply to this comment


by RickCain4150 January 11, 2012 1:52 AM EST: If only Gingrich, Huntsman, Perry, and Santorum would get on the clue bus and leave the race, we would all breathe a sigh of relief.; Reply to this comment