Few New Hampshire GOP voters cite health care as top concern

Jan 12 2012

Exit polls from Tuesday's New Hampshire primary found the economy to be the highest ranking issue among voters. Meanwhile, as campaigns move on to South Carolina, GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich is set to run a new ad about rival Mitt Romney's abortion positions.

The Associated Press/Boston Globe: Exit Polls: Romney Wins NH With Broader Coalition
New Hampshire voters were more apt than Iowa caucus-goers to say the economy was the most important issue in deciding their vote, and the issue was again Romney's best. Among the 61 percent of voters who called it their top issue, Romney more than doubled the support of his nearest competitor. Romney and Ron Paul split the votes of the 24 percent who called the federal budget deficit their top issue. Health care was cited as a top concern by just 5 percent (Agiesta, 1/10).

Politico: New Gingrich Goes Negative In South Carolina Ad
Newt Gingrich's newest ad, set to run in South Carolina this week, hits Mitt Romney directly on his "pro-abortion" record in Massachusetts. "What happened after Massachusetts moderate Mitt Romney changed his position from pro-abortion to pro-life? He governed pro-abortion," the ad's narrator says (Schultheis, 1/10).

CNN: Gingrich Campaign Hits Romney On Abortion
As Mitt Romney delivered a victory speech in New Hampshire, Newt Gingrich's campaign launched a scathing attack in the next battleground state accusing the former Massachusetts governor of flip-flopping on abortion. Gingrich's campaign began airing a 30-second television spot in South Carolina Tuesday that claims Romney allowed taxpayer money to fund abortions during his time in the Massachusetts statehouse. The spot, called "Changed," features a female narrator ticking off claims about Romney's abortion record over photos of the GOP hopeful (Liptak, 1/10).