Romney to Stress Electability Over Ideology in South Carolina

(CHARLESTON, S.C.) --  Here’s the good news for Mitt Romney in South Carolina: since 1980, every GOP candidate who won the primary in S.C. went on to receive the presidential nomination. And that candidate, despite this state’s conservatism, was always the most mainstream, establishment politician in the race.

That might come as a surprise, given that 30 percent of South Carolina Republicans claim membership in the Tea Party, and 75 percent agree with Tea Party principles, according to a recent Winthrop University poll.

Moreover, those Republicans also say they would prefer to vote for a candidate whose politics more closely align with their beliefs than for a candidate who they believe has the best chance of beating President Obama.

Voters might say their preference is principle over viability, but the state’s voting record proves otherwise -- and the Romney campaign knows it.

“The No. 1 goal is to send Barack Obama home to Chicago,” Romney campaign chairman and South Carolina state treasurer Curtis Loftis told ABC News. “Thirty day ago, conservatives were fighting me on what Romney stands for. Now they’re not. We’ve got to make sure we unite behind one candidate.”

Romney’s strategy for S.C., the first primary in the South, is not to quibble about policy, Loftis said, but to remind voters he has the best chance of winning.

“Voting is a clerical decision,” said Loftis, who identifies as a Tea Party Republican. “You’ve got to make a choice. Either you come in first place or dead last. People love the newness of Cain, the spirit of Perry, the genius of Gingrich, but they know Romney is the only one who can win.”

For now, though, Romney continues to trail in the polls behind Herman Cain, although the full impact of the sexual harassment allegations against Cain is still unknown.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Poll: SC Voters Still Undecided on GOP Candidate

(CLEMSON, S.C.) -- A poll released by Clemson University on Wednesday shows that the majority of voters in South Carolina still aren't sure who is the best Republican candidate to support in the upcoming primary.

The Clemson University 2012 Palmetto Poll reportedly sampled 600 likely voters, and of those polled, 68 percent said they hadn't yet decided on a candidate, while a similar number said they were most likely to change their minds by the time the primary rolls around on January 21.

According to the poll results, of those who had chosen a candidate, Mitt Romney was the top choice, winning 22 percent of the support, followed by Herman Cain with 20 percent, then Newt Gingrich with 10 percent and Rick Perry with nine percent.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Nikki Haley's Book to Drop Jan. 3

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- For those wanting to know more about South Carolina’s first woman chief executive, Gov. Nikki Haley, they’ll have their chance in January when her book comes out, the publisher Sentinel/Penguin confirmed Tuesday.

Can't is Not an Option, which will feature a candid portrait of Haley’s early years and the launch of her political career, is slated to hit bookshelves on Jan. 3, 2012.

Haley's memoir includes accounts of how her family struggled to make ends meet, and how she won her first campaign among some of South Carolina's old guard politicians.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Increase in Bankruptcy Filings for SC Businesses

(WASHINGTON) -- There was an increase in bankruptcy filings by businesses in South Carolina over the past year, according to a report in the Charleston Regional Business Journal.

Despite a 12 percent decrease in the total number of bankruptcy filings, there was a 2.5 percent rise in business filings for a total of 406. However, there was a slight drop in Chapter 7 filings, according to figures released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

National bankruptcy filings for businesses were down over the last 12 months, dropping 14.4 percent for a total of 49,895.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

SC Ranked No. 8 in Nation for Hiring Veterans as Teachers

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) -- South Carolina was ranked eighth in the nation for hiring large numbers of veterans as teachers, according to a newly released report by the national Troops to Teachers program, ABC News Columbia affiliate WCIV-TV reports.

South Carolina schools offered 47 veterans teaching positions from October 2010 through September 2011.

"Having served 31 years as an Army officer, I understand the skills, energy, passion, and work ethic these military men and women bring to classrooms across South Carolina" said Dr. Mick Zais, State Superintendent of Education.  "The Troops to Teachers program is a great example of how we can open our classrooms to experienced, high-quality individuals with different professional experiences."

Through the Troops to Teachers program, eligible veterans are given $5,000 toward earning a teacher’s certificate or a $10,000 bonus to teach at a high-needs school.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio