Trump, Carson top latest S.C. GOP poll

In a Republican presidential field that includes former and current southern governors and South Carolina's senior U.S. senator, a new poll shows a billionaire real estate developer from New York with a commanding lead in the Palmetto State.

A Monmouth University poll out Tuesday finds Donald Trump leading among South Carolina Republicans with 30% support, followed by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 15%. No other candidates register in double digits.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has sparred repeatedly with Trump in recent weeks, is well behind at 4%.

Reacting on Twitter to the latest survey showing his strong standing in the 2016 race, Trump wasn't exactly magnanimous -- not that you'd expect anything less.

Graham fired back at Trump Tuesday, including his latest attacks on Fox News' Megyn Kelly, saying on Fox News Radio that "If you think Megyn Kelly is a bimbo, you're an idiot."

He said of Trump's remarks: "If that’s OK, you better accept the consequences of that being OK because we are going to lose!”

South Carolina's primary is scheduled for next February and is historically a critical battleground for candidates seeking the GOP nomination.