There has been a dramatic shift in the last few days in several polls in South Carolina with Mike Huckabee erasing a nine point lead by John McCain this week.  Huckabee now has a new seven point lead according to the latest poll released by the American Research Group. going into Saturday's GOP Republican primary showdown.

Mitt Romney who hasn't even been campaigning in South Carolina dropped 11 points in the poll in just two days.  Both Huckabee and Fred Thompson increased their numbers from previous Romney supporters.  McCain's poll numbers dropped seven points since his loss in the Michigan primary this last Tuesday.

South Carolina 
Republicans                         Jan 15-16                     Jan 17-18
 
Giuliani                                     4%                              3%
Huckabee                                 23%                            33%
McCain                                     33%                            26%
Paul                                         1%                              2%
Romney                                    20%                             9%
Thompson                                 13%                            21%
Undecided                                 3%                              4%

In the American Research survey, Mike Huckabee leads among Republicans with 37%, followed by John McCain and Fred Thompson with 22% each.