Clinton, Thompson lead pack in South Carolina

Hillary Clinton leads among Democrats and Fred Thompson among Republicans in the early primary state of South Carolina, according to a new poll out today.

Clinton, the New York senator who is leading in national polls, was the choice of 38 percent of likely Democratic primary voters. Illinois Senator Barack Obama drew 30 percent, and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards 13 percent. The Democratic primary is scheduled for Jan. 29.

On the GOP side, Thompson, the former Tennessee senator who is expected to officially jump into the race around Labor Day, was supported by 23 percent. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani drew 21 percent, Arizona Senator John McCain had 14 percent, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney had 10 percent. S.C. Republicans moved up their primary to Jan. 19.

The poll was conducted on Aug. 20 by Rasmussen Reports. The survey of 516 Democrats has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points, while the survey of 841 Republicans has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.