SC News: Veterans Support Romney – Bolton, Haley, McCain Help Out – Rasmussen Results

The Palmetto State is pulsing with political electricity and Governor Mitt Romney keeps generating sparks. He had a great day on the campaign trail today at the University of South Carolina in Aiken. Also, a group of SC veterans announced their support for The Gov. *He held a fantastic event for them on Hilton Head:

“I am proud to receive the endorsement of these South Carolina veterans who have selflessly and bravely fought to keep our nation safe and defend our American way of life,” said Mitt Romney. “We must continue to support all of those who have served our nation as we work to preserve those very freedoms that our veterans and troops have fought to defend.”

“Mitt Romney has been a strong advocate for veterans and will work to ensure that those who have heroically sacrificed for our country receive the care that they deserve,” said Lt. General Bud Watts, former President of the Citadel. “We need a Commander-in-Chief who will support our veterans and troops, strengthen our military, and strengthen our national defense. Mitt Romney believes in America and in the founding principles that make our country great, and he is the kind of steadfast leader we need during these challenging times.”

(emphasis added)

South Carolina veterans supporting Mitt Romney for President:

General Alfred Hansen, U.S. Air Force, Ret.
Lieutenant General Claudius “Bud” Watts, U.S. Air Force, Ret.
Major General Darwin Simpson, U.S. Army National Guard, Ret.
Major General Stan Spears, U.S. Army National Guard, Ret., Former Adjutant General of South Carolina
Colonel Fareed Betros, U.S. Army, Ret.
Lieutenant Colonel Larry McKay, U.S. Army, Ret.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Sidney Busch, U.S. Navy, Ret.
Petty Officer Mark Nadobny, U.S. Navy, Ret.

Endorsers are retired or not on active duty. Use of military rank and job titles does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or any department thereof.

*Three outstanding Romney supporters, SC Gov Nikki Haley, Sen. John McCain, and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, also spoke at Gov Romney’s veteran event at Hilton Head. See video here.

What are things looking like in SC? Here’s the latest from Rasmussen polling:

Yesterday, 750 likely Republican primary voters in South Carolina were asked:

If the 2012 Republican Primary for president were held today, would you vote for Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman or Rick Perry?

Results:
Mitt Romney – 28%
Newt Gingrich – 21%
Rick Santorum -16%
Ron Paul -16%
Rick Perry – 6%
Jon Huntsman – 5%

There’s a bit of buzz that some Huntsman staff wish he had dropped out after New Hampshire.

Other polling shows Gingrich’s attack ads are having some effect on Gov Romney. I have no doubt he and his team are executing his counter message very effectively. I did like Charles Krauthammer’s advice today to Governor Romney on Bill O’Reilly’s TV program. He offered words of wisdom on how to frame the Bain brouhaha for the upcoming FOX debate on Jan 16th at Myrtle Beach, SC. (I couldn’t find a video of Krauthammer – hope Team Romney recorded it.)

► Jayde Wyatt