NEW ARG POLL GIVES REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE OVERWHELMING LEAD IN PALMETTO STATE

A brand new poll just released by the American Research Group showed Republican presidential nominee John McCain holding an astronomical 22 point lead over Democrat Barack Obama in South Carolina. The survey of 600 likely voters conducted Sept. 14-17 gave McCain a 59 to 37 percent advantage.

That number was up nine points from the last South Carolina poll, which was released by the liberal blog DailyKos in late July.

The McCain surge was likely due in large part to the addition of running mate Sarah Palin, as evidenced by his 55 to 41 percent lead among women.

McCain was also doing much better with Republicans than Obama was doing with Democrats — with only 2 percent of the Republicans supporting Obama and 96 percent backing McCain as opposed to 13 percent of the Democrats supporting McCain and only 82 percent choosing Obama.

With voters over 50, who comprise the most reliable demographic, McCain held 65 percent support.

In neighboring North Carolina, once thought to be a possible battleground state, Obama trailed McCain by 20 points according to a Survey USA poll released 10 days ago.