Poll Dancing

J: Well, American Research Group has released their latest polling data from South Carolina, and I'm surprised (but not shocked) to see what's going on in the Palmetto State.

The Republicans

The Democrats

Looking at the data, the painfully obvious conclusion to draw is that independents will be the key. McCain gets the biggest jump from this, while Obama pulls a virtually identical percentage from Democrats and independents.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say these polls are under-reporting for Ron Paul, as he will garner more than 1% of the vote. His supporters will get out and vote. Just because they're odd, doesn't mean they're not motivated.

I was surprised to see Edwards at 9%. I would have guessed far higher- 15% at a minimum. It will be interesting to see which way the "undecideds" break, although, quite frankly, if you haven't made up your mind two days before you vote, you're just not paying attention.

C: As I've stated previously, I don't know Jack Squat about the Palmetto State. Hell, I don't even know what a palmetto is, and no, I won't google it.

Now that I quantified my complete lack of perspective, here's a thought or two about the Low-Country Boil.

First, lesson learned from NH and MI concerning Independents, it's about turnout that makes them relevant. Now as I was schooled by my friend here, in SC one can register as anything day of primary. So I'm guessing the juice goes to Obama as the Mr. Excitement candidate. And John Edwards is going to be Mr. Pantload when his home state effectively ignores him.

Second, man o' man, South Carolina has read Nixon's Holy Book of Dirty Tricks and has written whole new chapters. Example: This week, McCain was called out as a traitor while imprisoned in N'Vietnam. I'd almost move there for six months every four years just to get the emails, mailers, TV and radio ads and the generic bile that is the poo in the political fan of South Carolina. Scorched Earth is SOP.

Third, I imagine Huckaboo is just going to ascend up to heaven on Saturday thereby skipping Super Tuesday. If his rhetoric gets more Goddish, it's either a lightning bolt to the chops for arrogance or move over Holy Ghost.

Fourth, Las Vegas is run by the screwheads. Caucuses in casinos? Nevada would be a dandy underground story to cover in the trenches.

Fifth, can one rent the RP blimp as a party zeppelin?

J: Here's all you need to know about South Carolina's Dirty Tricks and Rumors: Lee Atwater graduated from Newberry College in Newberry, SC,
and cut his teeth working for Strom Thurmond. I still mourn losing Lee in '91, just because it denied us Atwater vs. Carville in '92. Good lord, that campaign would have been epic.

C, I think we ought to look into renting the RP blimp. You, me, a dirigible, and a case of whiskey. I'll bet we'd give CNN an interview like they've never seen.

And a palmetto is a tree.

C: Lee Atwater also went to the Pat Buchanan's Graduate School of Shitflinging. And to Lee's credit, when he was burning someone down, he did it with a smile on his face. But the legend of LBJ and "pigfucker" is epic in its perfection. It set the stage for modern dirty double dealing from under the deck posioning the well tactics. And Rove doesn't count. He is and a was a thug, no appreciation for the artform.

We've absolutely have to gets our paws on that blimp. Or any blimp for that manner. Oh, the humanity!

Palmetto. Tree. Check.

C: Will the traditional Confederate Flag dustup have an effect on Saturday? There's a story in Rev. Moon's *ahem* "newspaper":

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NATION/116263890/1001