GOP debate tonight at 9 p.m.

(FOXNEWS) — MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The bid by cultural conservatives to anoint Rick Santorum as the winner of the “Not Romney” Republican intra-primary primary has run aground.

That leaves the former Pennsylvania senator as the man with the most at stake in tonight’s FOX News/Wall Street Journal/South Carolina GOP debate. A breakout showing could revive Santorum’s chances, but if he fails, his campaign will founder.

The FOX News poll out today shows Santorum in a statistical three-way tie for second place nationally among Republican voters with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and libertarian-leaning Texas Rep. Ron Paul.