AARP Poll: Cain, Romney Neck-and-Neck in South Carolina

Herman Cain and Mitt Romney are essentially running even among Republicans in early-voting state South Carolina, a new poll shows.

The poll, which AARP paid for, surveyed 400 likely voters in the South Carolina Republican primary, mostly older people, The State newspaper reported today.

The poll found that 27.8 percent like businessman Cain. He had a teeny lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Romney’s 27 percent. The margin of error is 4.9 percent, which makes the two front-runners statistically even.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry came in third, at 7.8 percent, with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on his heels a 7.3 percent.

Nearly 20 percent said they were undecided.

A Clemson University poll released Wednesday found that 22 percent of South Carolina Republicans back Romney, while 20 percent want Cain. But nearly two-thirds of the respondents said they hadn’t decided yet, and 68 percent said they could change their minds before the Jan. 21 primary.