New Polls Show Early SC Primary Has Potential to Shake Up Race

    For the last few weeks in the Tote Board column, we've been looking at the prospects for the candidates in both parties in the first few contests. Now, a new poll from Mason-Dixon shows that voters in South Carolina could add a new wrinkle to the race.
    For the Democrats, South Carolina votes on January 29 -- after Iowa and New Hampshire -- but before the mega-states on February 5. According to Mason-Dixon, Barack Obama has jumped out to a nine-point lead over Hillary Clinton in SC, largely on his strength in the black community.
    This is an important development for two reasons. First, it shows that Obama is beginning to consolidate his support among black voters -- which will help him considerably in the later states. Second, it gives him a place to do well before Super Tuesday since he's currently trailing Clinton in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
    For the Republicans, whose contest will occur on February 2, the results are more bad news for Rudy Giuliani and John McCain. Without even announcing, Fred Thompson already leads in SC and McCain is a distant fourth.
    Of course, the results in Iowa and New Hampshire could have a rub-off effect on South Carolina voters. But for now, the prospects for both front-runners don't look good in the Palmetto State.