2012 Decoded

Another new slice of exit poll data reinforces the conclusion that almost everywhere, Rick Santorum is preponderantly relying on the most conservative evangelical voters in the GOP primary.

Yesterday I reported on an exit poll analysis conducted by ABC Pollster Gary Langer that cumulated results from all 18 state exit polls conducted so far. The analysis found that Santorum has beaten Romney soundly among evangelical Christian voters who also identify as very conservative. But the results showed that Romney has carried at least a plurality of all other evangelicals (those who identify as somewhat conservative, moderate or liberal) and also has amassed big margins over Santorum among all voters who do not identify as evangelical Christians, whatever their ideological stripe.

New state-by-state data provided by CNN Polling Director Keating Holland underscores these findings. Holland analyzed the results individually in all 18 states with exit polls for Santorum and Romney among very conservative voters who identify as evangelicals and those who don't.