SC Primary: The Week Ahead (Dec. 5-11)

With less than a month before the Iowa caucuses of Jan. 3, and five weeks until the New Hampshire primary, the candidates for the Republican nomination are focusing their efforts this week elsewhere.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who raised more money in the state during the third quarter than any other candidate, will have several events this week.

On Thursday, Perry plans to be in Mount Pleasant, Beaufort, Okatie and Greenville. At 10 a.m., he'll be at the Yorktown for a press conference. He'll then head to Beaufort for lunch, Okatie for a town hall meeting and then Greenville for a dinner at Stax.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will also be in Greenville on Thursday, according to his campaign, but the details have not been announced.

With the major events coming soon elsewhere, and the holiday season upon us, it could be a quiet few weeks in the Palmetto State.

Of course, after the New Hampshire event on Jan. 10, and until the South Carolina primary of Jan. 21, it's going to be crazy.