One day after a solid victory in New Hampshire, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney faces a critical test in South Carolina as he seeks to convince conservative voters that he is their best bet to defeat Democratic President Barack Obama.
Romney took a crucial step toward the Republican nomination on Tuesday with his win in New Hampshire, the second contest in the state-by-state battle for the Republican nomination. He won 39 percent of the vote and was well ahead of his nearest rival.
The former private equity executive also won the Iowa caucuses last week. He may now find it easier to convince skeptics within his own party that he is the strongest Republican to take on Obama in November's election, despite qualms about the moderate policies he pursued as Massachusetts governor.
Victory in South Carolina's Jan 21 primary could derail rivals' hopes to consolidate a splintered conservative vote and set Romney on a steady march to nomination.
With economic concerns topping the agenda, Romney hasargued that his experience as head of investment firm Bain Capital, where he made a personal fortune, would make him the best candidate to put the shaky US economy on a stronger footing.
Romney gave perhaps the most dynamic speech of his campaign on Tuesday as he celebrated his victory in New Hampshire, outlining a stark contrast with Obama. Aides said it would set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
"We know that the future of this country is better than 8 or 9 percent unemployment. It is better than $15 trillion in debt. It is better than the misguided policies and broken promises of the last three years - and the failed leadership of one man," he said.
In recent days, rivals like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich have painted Romney as a heartless corporate raider who cut jobs in the companies he bought - an unusual debate in the business-friendly Republican Party.
Rivals could redouble their efforts in South Carolina, which has been hit hard by the economic downturn. Unemployment in the southern state stands at 9.9 percent, above the national average of 8.5 percent.
Texas Gov Rick Perry, who hopes to revive his fading campaign in South Carolina, has pointed to businesses in the state that were shuttered by Bain, while Gingrich allies plan to spend $3.4 million on ads criticizing Romney's business record.
Questions
1 Who won the New Hampshire primary?
2 Where is the next battle for the Republican nomination?
3 When is the vote?
Answers
1. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney
2. South Carolina
3. Jan 21