Romney leads South Carolina poll

Mitt tops S.C. poll

Poised to win the New Hampshire primary, Mitt Romney is boasting a comfortable lead in South Carolina as well. According to the most recent Public Policy Polling numbers, Romney, at 30 percent, leads Newt Gingrich by 7 points.

Rick Santorum, with 19 percent in the poll, was the only other candidate in double digits. Ron Paul was at 9 percent, Rick Perry at 5 percent and Jon Huntsman at 4 percent. The poll suggests Romney's lead comes from his high favorability rating - 60 percent - in the state.

One interesting note from the numbers is the precipitous fall of Perry, from 36 percent the last time a poll was taken to 5 percent now. His favorability rating is hovering at just 42 percent, suggesting a comeback similar to Santorum's in Iowa is unlikely. There, voters who initially did not plan to vote for Santorum at least had a positive view of him, according to Public Policy Polling.

South Carolina holds its primary Jan. 21.