I predicted Rick Perry would drop out to become the GOP Presidential nominee (last night as well as a week ago). This is due to his low polling numbers and his inability to finish a coherent, or valid point, in any debate. Besides, I can't image the voters would want their next president to come from Texas (after President Obama's second term...and no offense to any Texans I know). I also know that Jon Huntsman dropped out this week; I wish Perry had of done so before Huntsman.
Okay, with two days left until the South Carolina Presidential Primary, it is only fitting to briefly discuss the Palmetto State. After that, I'll give my predictions. Now, my predictions will be a little harder to solidify mainly because a lot has taken place within the past five hours and everything goes back to square three (figuratively-speaking). In addition, I couldn't give an accurate prediction because:
1) I don't have a PhD...yet;
2) South Carolina is tough to call because only two GOP candidates have campaigned and been in official primary polls before (Romney & Paul), and
3) I live in North Carolina - the better of the two states as life is better on top of things.
South Carolina is one of the states with the highest unemployment rates in the country- currently 9.2% if I remember correctly. This is surely above the national average of 8.4%. In addition to a horrid job market, South Carolinians are relatively influenced by religion. Over half of all residents of the Palmetto State are evangelical Christians and believe in the King James Bible (which is not a bad thing, but it can be used as a highly effective way to reach out to voters). South Carolina's devotion to raising revenue is not just found in Religion; it is also found in its travel and tourism industry. For this sector of the state economy, the focal points include Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Charleston, Columbia (the state capital for those that are not good with geography), and even Spartanburg & Greenville.
The south offers a lot of wonders...in South Carolina, not so much. I still have yet to understand, or have been explained the reasoning, why South Carolina is so important to be considered worthy of being the "Primary of the South" breadwinner for professional politics. I would image there are way better places within the southern states that could represent the "Southern Vote" than the state of South Carolina. Heck, even from a historical standpoint the capital of the Confederation was never in South Carolina, Sherman's March did NOT go through Columbia or anywhere else in the Palmetto State, Gettysburg was in Pennsylvania, and Fort Sumpter is in South Carolina but it wasn't even that big of a deal (I know I'll get an earful from all my History-fanatic friends later on that issue). Even though South Carolina was the first to secede from the Union, this does not make it valid for them to be dubbed as "first primary in the south and what we say goes" because - the end of the day - South Carolina: fought in a war...and lost, good reprimanded, supported slavery, had their economy crushed because of said issues, acted like a five year-old by rebelling, and has good places to get food (real BBQ comes from NORTH Carolina).
Anyway, onto the importance of predicting the South Carolina GOP Presidential Primary:
1st - Romney 33%
2nd - Gingrich 31%
3rd - Santorum 19 %
4th - Paul 17%
After everything settles down in South Carolina - and the lights go out in Georgia (don't ask) - all eyes will turn onto the Sunshine State...and no, it's not Ohio! While I have many friends from Florida, I hope they have stepped up their voting procedures since the last election cycles. I mean, honestly, we don't need another reason to hate Florida. I image they'll do alright since 2000 still haunts them to this day, haha!
Don't forget the SC Debate is on today at 8pm on CNN.
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