Countdown to South Carolina primary

Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney continues his campaign in South Carolina in the run-up to the 21st January primary.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL MITT ROMNEY, SAYING:
"Thank you so much. You're so kind."
Despite fierce attacks from his rivals, the former Massachusetts governor won the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday and is now two for two at the start of the Republican nomination race.
Ron Paul, a congressman from Texas known for his libertarian views, came second in the New Hampshire vote.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL RON PAUL, SAYING:
"Active duty I love it. Now, the state of Washington? Yeah I was always impressed we had such support out there."
Romney's competitors hope he will have a tough time convincing the religious conservatives of the South that he is their best bet to defeat President Obama in the November general election.
Newt Gingrich hails from the south, and is pinning his campaign hopes on South Carolina.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL NEWT GINGRICH, SAYING:
"Well it is good to be home, in the South."
Gingrich has lashed out at Romney for his record at Bain Capital, as has Texas Governor Rick Perry.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL RICK PERRY, SAYING:
"They used their company to come in and close down a photo album manufacturer in Gaffney South Carolina and 150 people lost their jobs there. And they made 20 million dollars off of management fees."
Jon Huntsman, former U.S. ambassador to China, and Rick Santorum, former chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, are also still in the race.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.