The good and bad news about Newt and South Carolina.

Gingrich won South Carolina by 12 but is behind in Florida by 18, and there's something else:  Newt has a reported "likability" national rating of 25/53 . . . . . a terrible ratio;  in fact, this is as bad as it gets.  This will be a factor in the coming election.  Can Gingrich reverse the effects of number? Nixon won his elections and who in the world "liked" that clown?  We can argue that he did  just that in South Carolina, overcome his "likability" deficit, and with a little gusto.  Gingrich won all but three counties, in the state, as he won the evangelical vote,  the married women vote, and all demographics except the youth vote (Ron Paul) and the those with post-graduate degrees (Romney). Most importantly,  he won the Independent vote. South Carolina was an open primary, allowing non-Republicans a vote.  It helps to be likable,  but it is far from the most important of issues.    


The election was a one sided as elections get, but it is only one victory.  46 primaries remain with none more important than Florida,  a week from this Thursday.  

I worry about this “anyone but Mitt” campaign.  It is almost as if he is as bad a choice as Obama  - something that is so ridiculous as to boggle the mind.  Quite frankly,  Newt is no more conservative than Romney,  and if you do not know this,  you have not been doing your due diligence in comparing the two.  Neither man is a TEA party representative . . . . . . neither.  I think we know more about Romney than Newt,  or,  at least,  we remember more about Romney than Newt  -  for example,  have you already forgotten that Romney won New Hampshire. While Gingrich sluffs off his past with the words,  “I made a mistake,”  the fact of the matter is this, ”mistake” or not,  if Gingrich had had his way,  in the past,  we would have population control and Cap and Trade.  See my article here:

http://jds-midknightreview.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-am-reconsidering-my-leanings-toward.html

A little good news

The Washington Times is reporting that South Carolina's Republican voters set a new primary turnout record Saturday when more than 600,000 of them went to the polls, shattering the previous mark set in 2000.    With 13 precincts still uncounted Sunday morning, 601,166 votes already were recorded, topping 2000's turnout of 537,101 and well ahead of 2008's 445,499 voters. Earlier in the week, officials had projected a moderate turnout about equivalent to the 2008 primary.   >>>>>>>>>>

Regardless of who represents the GOP and its conservative constituency,  it appears that enthusiasm for this particular campaign cycle is at a record high.  There was some concern about this,  with the first two primaries,  but no more.  The turnout in South Carolina was nothing short of remarkable. “Tournout” may be the most critical campaign issue of all  -  so get ready to participate and vote.