Obama Leading in South Carolina

This is amazing.  The latest CNN/Time/ORC polling shows President Obama leading both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich in South Carolina.  No, I didn't say North Carolina, I said South Carolina, the reddest of red states.  The polling shows that, in a hypothetical match-up against Romney, Obama wins 45% to 42%,which is within the margin of error.  In a match up against Gingrich, Obama wins with a solid 46% to 42%.  Keep in mind that the election is 11 months off and once the GOP chooses a nominee, the Republicans will, perhaps grudgingly, rally around him.  It would still be the ultimate upset for Obama to carry the Palmetto State. 

The polling also showed Obama winning Florida against either Gingrich or Romney by solid margins, particularly if Gingrich is the nominee.  Obama carried Florida in 2008 and the Republicans have been counting on flipping it in 2012. 

Despite these indications that Gingrich is the far weaker candidate against Obama, he leads Romney in both states in the race for the GOP nomination. 

The Republicans have a golden opportunity to win the White House next year and they are trying as hard as they can to blow it.