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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Poll shows Huck with SC lead

Posted: Thursday, December 06, 2007 2:45 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
For the first time, a South Carolina poll shows Huckabee leading. An InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion poll conducted Dec. 3-4 shows Huckabee in first place with 23%, ahead of Giuliani and Thompson, who are tied with 17%. Romney is fourth with 14%; McCain is also in double digits at 10% -- though he’s taken the biggest dip of any of the candidates since the poll was last conducted in October.

Huckabee has gained 12 points since October; McCain fell by 6; Thompson dropped 4 points; and Romney dipped 2. Ron Paul, who came in at 6%, saw a gain of 3 points.

South Carolina

Insider Advantage poll

 

12/4

10/3

Huckabee

23

11

Giuliani

17

16

Thompson

17

21

Romney

14

16 

McCain

10

16

Paul

 6

 3 

 

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I am from Arkansas.  Have had some contacts with Huckabee, and Clinton (Bill) over the years.  Huckabee is for real, all the objections that I have read lately are just phonied up.  He is about the only one running in either party that I would actually vote for- Mike (H.) may be doing as well as he is because the field is incredibly weak, but he has lots of merit.  If you are afraid of, or just hate religion, don't vote for Huckabee.  There are plenty of phoneys who will suit you better.    
To find out what Barack Obama's views were, would you go to Hillary Clinton? Without question, the response would be negatively twisted against him. Yet that is exactly what occurs when people seek(or dispense) information about Mormons. They accept information from sources hostile to the religion. The previous comments about Mormon beliefs are so obviously taken from sources antagonistic to the faith, that certainly no one should take them seriously. They display an ignorant, bigoted,and un-informed "twisting" of information. That sort of "informed" decision is true starvation indeed. If you are looking for sensational falsehoods, you will easily find them--detractors are innumerable. If you are looking for the truth--go to the source.
I am from Arkansas.  I was here for all of Bill Clinton's, and Mike Huckabee's years as governor.  Mike H. is a lot like Bill Clinton, except that deep down, after the onion layers are peeled off, Bill is false, Mike is true.   If you fear or hate religion, vote for somebody else than Huckabee.  Huckabee is the only one of the current front runners, of both parties, that I would actually consider voting for in the general election.
We are watching the latest maybe candidate, it is now open season for huck from the rest of the crowd of repubs, his numbers will change as the knives come out, watch how mean rudty tuttie gets.
Huckabee does not believe in limited government...same with many other candidates. This is why we are doomed. In order to return to a government BY, FOR and OF the people...we need a candidate who does sway...EVER. This candidate also has extensive experience in foriegn affairs (Ambassador the UN during Reagan Administration) and believes WE THE PEOPLE are to govern ourselves...not money and power. This candidate cannot be bought. His name is ALAN KEYES and he is running for President.

“Alan, I should be thanking you -- and I am -- because every time I asked you to do your best, you did that and better. Every time I asked you to stand for America, you stood tall, and you deserve not only my thanks, but the thanks of every citizen of this great country.” -- Ronald Reagan

In helping bring down the Soviet Union, Alan Keyes represented this country with intelligence and great courage, and he’s been fighting hard for our freedom ever since. This is who we need as a nation to protect our liberty and freedom.
Andrew price, You are one sicko. Sorry to know you have been brainwashed by some misguided ant-Mormon. We have enough of them here in the states and am glad you have a UK address. Dispite the cruel attacks, Mitt will do well and the rest will be history. Cheers. R.C.    
please also check at iReachable opinion poll station t candidate/party leads:

http://www.ireachable.com/vote

Check out results page for detailed breakdown and votemap page for opinion voting locations on google map
All I want is a someone who can lead with integrity and has answers to healthcare, our national deficit, and leads with moral--Mr. Romney seems to be the only candidate with these qualities.  Count me in as one who does not see religion just the same, but judges a man by his values and not differences--Mr. Romney you have my vote.  
Huckabee is pro life, and against the biggest holocaust of our day (Abortion=Murder, 40 Million deaths in the United States!!!)!!!  He is the most consistent Pro-Life candidate (maybe with Thompson), and he has a great sense of humor, and is loving towards others.  He is going to be hard to beat, and I love it that he is rising to the top.  God Bless him, and God please humble those bullies who advocate murder of our weakest citizens!!!  God forgive those who are sorry they committed attrocities (such as abortion or other things), which includes myself.
Huckabee has really catapulted in the polls, but what people won't acknowledge is how Ron Paul is climbing as well. I hope both Paul and Huckabee continue to climb because they both represent the true future of the Republican Party, even if they don't agree on some issues.
Why all the fuss about what Mormons believe or do in their temples?  Catholics apparently believe that they are consuming the actual flesh and blood of Christ when they take communion, don't they?  So what? I don't care. Some Protestants believe that you can get to heaven merely by confessing a belief (regardless of how horrible they act).  Sounds a little ridiculous, but I don't care.  So Mormons' beliefs about Jesus are different from Catholics and Protestants. So what? When the Constitution says we don't have religious tests, that's what it means.  I don't care if a candidate is Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Jewish, or some other faith.  It does not matter as long as I agree with his political and moral positions. Isn't that what America is all about?
In the end, a vote for Huckabee is a vote against the actual Replican candidate.
Actually, Huckabee as Governor had to raise taxes in order to fix many things in a very poor and backward state.  His actions were measured and well thought out unlike many comments on this board.
God save us from another CCC (Compassionate Christian Conservative) maybe they read the bible but they skip over the uncomfortable parts where Jesus while speaking of children says "Anyone who harms as much as a hair on he head of one of these would be better to have a millstone around his neck and cast into the sea". Cutting Medicaid in order to give a tax cut to the richest people in the us would harm a lot of poor children.
Huckabee gives the most wishy-washy bologny answers out of every single candidate in the debates.  Anyone who actually takes his answers as genuine is a fool.  Ron Paul is the most genuine candidate in the GOP field.  Why?  Because he tackles the REAL issues.  He wants to solve issues, not find ways to continue them.
I will be curious to see whether Mitt Romney, who I thought, gave a terrific speech yesterday, gets any traction.  I notice these polls closed on TUESDAY, two days before he gave his speech.  
Oh Puleeeeeeeeeeze all of you Arkansans that support
goof ball Huckabee - I too am from Little Rock, Arkansas.  That guy is dumber than dirt and he will never be elected President of this country.  I saw him up close and personal.  Matt from Bentonville, I guess you are a member of the "Vote God" congregation of Ronnie Floyd from Springdale.  That guy is just like all of those televangelists who are being investigaged by the Senate.  He's in it for the money.
I have been to his huge church in Springdale and they worship Rev Floyd not "God"  Ridiculous.
The Clintons are far out front from Mike Huckabee or even Mitt Romney.
I support Hilary Clinton and she will be the next President of our great Country.  She is genuine and not full of "bullshit"!
My advice is to know Jesus and know peace.  Huckabee is the only candidate I'm voting for.  Seriously, try praying about it.
Well tony,
Speak for yourself.  I believe the U.S. Constitution addresses separation of Church and State.  Does it not?
I am a Christian myself, a devout one and I do believe Mormonism is a cult, however I do think Mitt Romney is an honorable man but I could not vote for him because he is a Mormon.
I also can't vote for someone who appears to be a Christian like Huckabee.  He is way too dumb to be president, you think we got problems now with this
so called "Christian" president Bush, just vote in an incompetent, incapable person such as Huckabee and our country could collapse.
On the other hand Hilary Clinton is a very devout Christian too.  I am a Methodist, she is a Methodist and her husband is a Southern Baptist, George Bush is a Methodist.  We all believe in Jesus and that he died for our sins so lets just keep that personal and vote for a candidate who can run the country.
Hilary can do that and she will have Bill as her advisor.  
It's hillarious to me that Huckabbe supporters claim that he has "crossover appeal". Suuure...I know lots of democrats who are itching to have a preacher in the white house.  
Yes Lynne, you know me so well.  Um no.  I do not go to Ronnie Floyd's Church.  I do however go to First Baptist in Bentonville where we worship Jesus.  Interesting that you are so quick to judge who people worship after only sitting in one service. As Christians, we must look at the logs in our own eyes before looking at the specks in others.  You should know that.  I respect you for having your opinion but those of us who have Jesus in our hearts need to stick together despite some differences.  If you have Christ in your heart I urge you to watch what you say to people.  Both of your posts made me loose respect for what you had to say because of the way you said it.
By the way, you really shouldn't call the next President of the US dumb ;).

Matt

PS:  The Constitution doesn't mention anything about Seperation of Church and State.  You can read the Constitution fron to back and never find those words.  It was in a letter by Thomas Jefferson, however, urging Americans to keep the STATE out of the Church, not the other way around.
Well Matt, I went to Ronnie Floyd's church for about 3 years so its not like I just went there 1 time.
Ronnie Floyd said from the pulpit in 2004 "Vote God"
How repulsive!. What a bunch of fake peope those folks are!
I finally returned to the Methodist church which is  the church I was brought up worshiping Jesus in.
Baptists are the most judgemental of any church and superficial too.
Huckabee is very weak as a leader and not very knowledgeable either.  He does appear to be a Christian but that does not qualify him to be president of the U.S. I will say one thing though he is not a crook like Mayor Guiliani( that guy is the worst of the worst and facts support that)  however Huckabee did parole a rapist who went out and raped & murdered again and I saw him lie on TV about being responsible for that, he blamed Bill Clinton - don't know how he figures that one.
He will never gain any traction in large states like California and Florida. He may win Iowa but probably not any other state.
I am a Democrat and I totally 100% support Hilary Clinton.  She is experienced, intelligent, a leader and a christian lady who kept her marriage vows through difficult times. She's the best suited to lead the country.  Not to worry Matt dear, no Republican will be elected in 2008,George Bush has made certain of that.
Hello folks,

I am an african american from Illinois. I never thought I would be impressed by a republican candidate. However, the last U-2 CNN debate of republican candidate has take my attention to Huckubbee. I liked him. He is eloquent and appealing.

I will change my party affiliation to republican to vote fir Huckubee. If he got 49% of african american vote in Arkansas as a republican he must be good for the poor and minorities.

I think as more and more listen to Huckubee he will get more and more support for the people. I think in Nivember the race will be betwee Huchubee and Obama. It will be a very civil and historic race.

The nightmare scenario for me is to see a Guliani presidency. If Guliani is elected I will consider as if Mussolini is elected. His administration will be exactly the same as Bush and human rights will continue be eroded, wars will be everywhere and the US economy will go to the drain. ME MUST NOT ALLOW THE GULIANI PRESIDENCY.

Muziky
Ya, I guess I'm pretty transparent and I would like to see our country turn to the lord instead of turning away from him.  When Solomon allowed the removal of the temples from the high places and allowed everything else to replace the symbols of the most high it was pretty much a death sentence for Israel......Kind of reminds you of a certain modern day country trying to rip religion out of itself.  I guess we are doomed to repeat past mistakes in the name of progression!  Thanks for your wise words Matt.
Please be real folks, my pick is John Edwards/Bill Richardson, the country has no other choice. Most folks change there minds when they go to the voting booth.Be real, folks are not going to vote for an educated black man who went to Princeton, although I would, but we don't live in my ram.Imagine, Hillary Clinton,President, Nancy Pelosi,Speaker of the House and Obama, Vice President, it would be grand, but not going to happen.
I am mormon and I do not like Mitt.  I will not vote for him. I do not believe he has been as forthcoming about our religion, for which I am proud.  I will vote for Huckabee because I believe he is more sincere and has a better record, ie, no flip flopping, etcetera, and he has not bought his vote like Mitt.  I am proud of what I am, a mormon, and yes, for those comments above, we do believe in Kolob where gods are and where we may one day be.  Get over it.  That is what our religion is about.  God was once a man as we are now and went through this process to become a god himself.  As we are doing now.
You know why you hadn't heard much about Mike?  Beceause he isn't trying to sell an image of who he is like every other candidate.  He is real, he has values, and he cares more about the country than about being president.  The other candidates have to poll people to find out what they care about.
I think  Huckabee will fall very hard on SC. Thompson is very strong there and he will win SC and the nomination
You can't just consider the state polls though.  The National polls have him at either 1st or 2nd.  By the way, Lynne, I responded to you but for some reason it didn't come up.   I am not going to respond again.  I will just say that you may want to go pray and meditate long an hard on the way your posts where written.
People on SS need to read the fine print on Mike Huckabee, a 23% sales tax would put a real spin on our money. We don't usually pay the IRS anything after we start drawing it unless we are rich, and I am not rich. This 23% tax on what I buy will devastate me.
I support Mike I look at the news and see that there back to 1992 now looking at a Ap survey to sling at him. Give me a break if this is all they can come up with Nit picky stuff he will win hands down. Think about it you have a flip flop employing illegals, a adultry based canidate from NY that has never balenced a state budget, a lazy guy rom TN. How can a honest guy who will stand up to his mistakes in the past which is very few not be appealing to the people. Mike don't have hundreds of millions in his bank account like the others, he had to actually work for what he has got. This is the reason most poor/middle class will vote him for president.


Go Mike


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