Romney leads in S Carolina

US Republican candidates unleashed a new barrage of accusations ahead of South Carolina's key vote, as frontrunner Mitt Romney struggled to beat back his conservative rivals.
Gingrich has emerged as Romney's biggest threat after a feisty debate performance Monday, as the state-by-state battle to win the chance to challenge Democratic President Barack Obama in November elections nears a showdown.
With victories in Iowa and New Hampshire already in his pocket, Romney is hoping a win in South Carolina on Saturday will put him on an unstoppable path to being crowned the Republicans' presidential candidate.
A CNN/Time survey poll shows Romney leading Gingrich 33-23 percent among likely voters in the state.