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Mitt Romney Downplays Expectations In South Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. (CBS) - Once it looked like South Carolina could be Mitt Romney's path to the nomination. Now, he's lowering expectations, saying he's in the race for the long haul.

South Carolina has shaken up this race.

In Charleston, the talk Friday night is on the hot primary race.

A lot of people there are still undecided. Knowing that, and with the race so close, candidates are making every minute count.

WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson reports from South Carolina

At a farm outside of Columbia, Governor Romney rallied supporters.

Not long ago, it looked like he could wrap up the race here, but that was before Perry dropped out, Gingrich surged, and Santorum won Iowa, not Romney.

Now he is downplaying expectations. He said Friday, "I think I said from the beginning that I think South Carolina is an uphill battle for a guy from Massachusetts. Right now it looks like it's neck and neck that's a good place to be in."

One place Romney won't go is to make any kind of comment on the claims from Speaker Gingrich's ex-wife that Gingrich wanted an open marriage.

We asked Governor Romney, "Do you believe his multiple marriages and the recent allegations reveal character flaws in Newt Gingrich?"

Romney responded, "I said last night I wanted to talk about other issues, I don't have a different comment for you than I did last night."

Soon it will be up to the voters. Polls open Saturday morning at 7 am and close at 7 pm.

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