Even though he lags well behind John McCain going into Saturday’s open South Carolina primary, Mitt Romney likes his chances in 12 of the next 22 GOP races because they are limited to registered Republicans.

“McCain can no longer find electoral refuge in primaries that allow Democrats and Independents to boost his chances,” Romney spokesman Kevin Madden told The Examiner. “Increasingly, these contests are showing us that Republicans are looking for a nominee who can be the standard-bearer.”