Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is watching the GOP primary race in his home state closely, even though he has refused to endorse a candidate.
“Just from the polls I was looking at this morning, it looks like a two-man race,” DeMint told CBS' "This Morning."
Newt Gingrich is leading the field in polls of South Carolina, followed by Mitt Romney, with other candidates trailing well behind. DeMint has said he considers all of the GOP candidates acceptable and remains happy to stand on the sidelines watching the vote play out. The primary is Saturday.
The senator suggested there is still plenty of time for things to change in the state following Thursday’s upheaval: the Iowa Republican Party announced Rick Santorum won its caucuses; Rick Perry dropped out of the race; and ABC News aired an explosive interview with one of Newt Gingrich’s ex-wives, Marianne, in which she accused the former speaker of wanting an “open marriage.”
Gingrich has denied the claim.
He was asked to address the issue in Thursday night’s GOP debate. "I am appalled you'd begin a presidential debate on a topic like that," he said, and went on to attack the “elite media” for perpetuating the accusation.
DeMint defended Gingrich's debate performance.
"He probably handled it as well as he could have, because the best defense is sometimes a good offense,” DeMint said. “He certainly went on the offense last night. But today, I think South Carolinians will have a chance to digest it. Whether or not it makes a difference in the race, I'm not sure.”
When prompted, DeMint acknowledged Santorum also did well in Thursday night’s debate and “could get back in play.”
DeMint, a popular South Carolina lawmaker and high-profile conservative, is a sought-after endorsement and could have a major influence over Saturday’s South Carolina vote if he decided to throw his weight behind a particular campaign. But he has said he will not endorse before there is a Republican nominee, and repeatedly denied rumors that he has a “favorite” among the candidates.
“I think a lot of Mitt, but I think a lot of all of these candidates,” he told CBS. He said he couldn’t think of anything that would change his mind regarding a last-minute endorsement.
Earlier this month, DeMint predicted Romney would win the state.
“I don't think there are very many folks in South Carolina who are waiting for me to tell them how to vote,” he said. “South Carolinians are very independent, and I think you'll see them pick the best candidate, and I think that candidate is likely to be the next president of the United States."
