Monday, December 10, 2012

South Carolina Voters Seem to Have This 'Politics' Thing Figured Out, Would Prefer Comedian to Replace Politician

Posted By on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 3:00 PM

Great news out of South Carolina, as a poll shows that comedian and host of Comedy Central's "Colbert Report," Stephen Colbert, is the most popular choice among voters to replace retiring Senator Jim DeMint.

According to a list of potential appointees given to poll participants by Public Policy Polling, Colbert was the most popular choice to replace DeMint of the names given, earning the preference of 20% of those polled, five points greater than his nearest "opponent." In a Colbert-less field, former First Lady of South Carolina Jenny Sanford (the ex-wife of disgraced Governor Mark Sanford) is the top pick, with 17% support. The decision falls on Governor Nikki Haley, who has a disapproval rating hovering just under 50% and needs to find some way to pull people onto her side.

From Public Policy Polling's analysis:

It's Democrats and independents- those voters Haley most needs to improve her standing with- who are pining for a Colbert appointment. Among Democrats 32% say they'd like Colbert to be picked with Jenny Sanford at 19% and no one else in double digits. With crucial independent voters Colbert has a 15 point lead for the appointment, getting 28% to 13% for Tim Scott, 12% for Jenny Sanford, and 10% for Trey Gowdy with no one else in double digits.

...

“Nikki Haley could score some points with the Democrats and independent voters she’s struggling with by appointing Stephen Colbert to the US Senate,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “But if she goes down a more traditional path voters’ top choice is Tim Scott.”

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