Romney Leads S.C.; Gingrich 2nd; Santorum, Paul Fight for 3rd

A CNN/Time poll unveiled on Wednesday afternoon finds former Gov. Mitt Romney leading the pack of Republican presidential candidates in South Carolina, which holds its primary Saturday.

Romney takes 33 percent of the poll of likely primary voters, followed by U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich who takes 23 percent. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas are battling for the bronze. Santorum takes 16 percent, while Paul garners 13 percent.Texas Gov. Rick Perry lags with 6 percent. Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed say they are definitely sticking with their candidate, while 32 percent are open to backing other GOP hopefuls.

The poll of 505 likely South Carolina Republican primary voters was taken Jan. 13-17 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent.