Clemson Poll: Republicans Are Undecided

Michele Bachmann didn't change her message.

Rick Perry flubbed several debate opportuntiies.

And several women accused Herman Cain of sexual harassment.

The race to be former Gov. Mitt Romney's competition for the Republican nomination has had more twists and turns than a soap opera.

And the uncertainty has left South Carolina GOP voters with, well, uncertainty.

According to a new poll out today from Clemson University, 68 percent of likely Republican primary voters said they were unsure who they will support on Jan. 21 in the first-in-the-South primary.

“What South Carolinians think and who they back is historically important,” said Clemson University political scientist Dave Woodard in a release.

“Since 1980, the winner of the GOP South Carolina Primary has won the Republican nomination for president every time.”
 
And many of the 600 voters said they were planning to change their minds between now and the election.

“This indicates the electorate is still fluid,” said Clemson political scientist Bruce Ransom.

The lack of continued enthusiasm for Romney, whose support has remained stable for months but hasn't grown, also has been demonstrated in the launch of a new conservative website encouraging Republicans to vote for anyone but Romney.

Among those who had decided, the Clemson University 2012 Palmetto Poll showed Romney (22 percent) and Georgia businessman Cain (20 percent) leading the field. Coming next are former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (10 percent) and Gov. Perry (9 percent).
 
Rep. Ron Paul, former Gov. Jon Huntsman, Rep. Bachmann and former Sen. Rick Santorum all polled at 3 percent or lower.