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Only a week ago, it looked like Mitt Romney might make history by winning Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, which no candidate had ever done before. But now it looks like a different candidate will win each of the first three nomination contests, which has never happened before, either. Worse for Romney, his poll numbers are falling not just in South Carolina, but nationally, too. Here's our guide to today's polls and why they matter.

Findings: Gingrich is beating Romney in South Carolina 32 percent to 26 percent.

Pollster: Clemson University

Methodology: Phone survey of 429 likely voters that began January 13 but was "recalibrated… to measure changing dynamics" January 18 and January 19.

Why it matters: This poll confirms the findings of three robo-polls released Thursday. Romney seems to believe it, too, because he's trying to lower expectations, The Hill's Christian Heinze writes. Romney said it was "exciting" to be in a close race, and noted Gingrich was from a neighboring state. A Public Policy Polling survey released late Thursday night said Gingrich was enjoying higher favorability ratings than Romney for the first time in this election.

Caveat: The poll finds 20 percent of voters are still undecided, with polls opening in less than 24 hours.