Don't people actually have to vote by party registration in SC? I guess GOP isn't all that excited down there. I think there are a lot of people voting for Obama that otherwise might not have voted. Just don't know. I think he is this year's alternative to 'None of the above' I think he's less of an empty suit than Jack Kennedy was, but I don't know how that will play in modern politics ( Kennedy today would have bimbo-erupted himself out of consideration in the primaries ) He seems bright but there is a lot of style and a lot of people putting their hopes on who they think he is without knowing much about it.

Do the dems have a good white southern governor for a running mate? Bill Richardson is an option, too, I guess. Wouldn't hurt to get somebody with foreign policy heft. ( NOW is when they need Liebermann. That would be a VERY tough ticket to beat - The old New Deal rises again - would be pretty cool actually )

If GOP goes with McCain they'd better find a very very energetic woman as a running mate - don't see where that's going to come from. Rice would be the obvious choice, but she's got a lot of Bush baggage. Too bad. Originally I thought Guiliani/Rice vs Clinton/Obama but I don't think Rudy is ever getting traction and Hil and Barack aren't going to make nice. Don't think Condi really wants it anyway. Academia or some NFL job is probably looking real good to her right now.

There are some folks like Dick Morris who *really* don't want to see Hillary get the nomination - wouldn't be surprised if right before super tuesday there is some very very dirty stuff coming out.



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I read a book last yr called "Foxes in the Henhouse". Written by a couple good ole boys who are hardcore dems. They discuss the failing of the democratic party in reaching out to those in the deep south.
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>At least from that point of view, it does sound like Obama did learn from Kerry's, in particular failings there in 04.
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>Do you think the low repub totals in SC show that there is blowback to bush there. Or that Obama is trully reaching out to those folks?
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>>>From those who live in this area, or follow primaries closely, how much significance is there to the total votes in the SC primary?:
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>>>http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/01/obama-beat-mcca.html
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>>Both analyses seem to have a lot of merit. I think there is a lot of excitement about Obama for the wrong reasons but he may be one of those people who can rise to expectations. Different times call for different leaders. Who knows, this may be his time.
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>>If he serves no purpose other than denying the nomination to HRC he may serve a useful historical purpose. ( I still don't think she'll electable and her getting the nomination and the GOP stumbling into Romney might mean Bloomberg in the race and the election going to the house. )
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>>Okay, so let's pick a running mate for him. Suggestions? ( I'm thinking moderate western - preferably California - white woman or hispanic of any gender ) You know more about California politics than I do. Any good candidates?