Surging in South Carolina

The new Clemson University Palmetto poll reveals a tightening race in South Carolina, with Huckabee in 3rd place, just 4 points behind frontrunner Mitt Romney. Huckabee's support (13%) has more than doubled since the last Clemson poll in late August:

In the Republican contest, Mitt Romney (17 percent) and Fred Thompson (15 percent) are within the margin of error of the poll. The surprising third place candidate was the fast-closing Mike Huckabee (13 percent) with John McCain next at 11 percent. Huckabee is the most improved candidate in the GOP field since the last Palmetto Poll in August of 2007, rising to “top tier” status in South Carolina. The candidate who has lost the most momentum is Rudy Giuliani (9 percent) who has dropped from being a leader in August to a trailing fifth now.