Well, we have finally come around to another primary day! This time, it is down south and it involves two states: Alabama and Mississippi. It will be an interesting outcome indeed; however, I would like to briefly discuss the past weekend that endured within the GOP primary race.
The past weekend involved four different caucuses with three of them having nine delegates awarded to the winner (the forth had 40 delegates). Those four caucuses were: Guam, Kansas, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands - guess which one has 40 delegates [it is Kansas]. Rick Santorum won the Kansas caucus with over 50%, whereas Mitt Romney won the other three caucuses. It should be noted that Ron Paul won the popular vote in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but because it is a...unique system it had Mitt Romney win the actual caucus. Personally, it doesn't really matter because, like Puerto Rico, residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands are not able to vote in the general election...just the primaries and caucus (and yes, this makes no sense what-so-ever). Speaking as someone who actually knows people in Puerto Rico - hahaha - they have more important things to consider like statehood, independence, hurricanes, being home to the only rain forest in the United States (take that Hawaii!), and promoting tourism to help the economy of the country that they can't elect a leader to govern over them. Anyway, I digress...
Okay, let's fast forward to today. It is primary day in the deep south! I actually think Hawaii and the American Samoa hold caucuses today as well. I guess we've had enough of caucus talk for the moment so we are only looking at primaries (Ron Paul would not be happy as his outlook is the exact opposite). I always enjoy watching politics in the southern states...even though I never took Southern Politics in undergrad. Anyway, here are my predictions:
2012 Primary (and Caucus) Predictions for the States of Alabama & Mississippi, Hawaii, and the United States Territory of the American Samoa:
Primaries ~
Alabama - 50 Delegates - Mitt Romney
Mississippi - 40 Delegates - Rick Santorum
Caucuses ~
Hawaii - 20 Delegates - Mitt Romney
American Samoa - 9 Delegates - Mitt Romney
***I know Gingrich has stated that he vows to stay in the race, but at some point he has to drop out because he can't win with two states. If he doesn't drop out, then maybe Ron Paul will (I'm sorry Ron Paul supporters, but seriously....I'm not sold on him yet).
Now before I get glares by the Ron Paul supporters, I am not saying he is a bad candidate or that he can't get elected....ok, I will say that much but I can defend that statement (at a later date). I am simply saying that he is true to his beliefs and he is very consistent when it comes to his voting records and positions. Personally, I wish more people would read the Constitution. Also, as a side note, he is a Duke graduate so that is always a plus - and now I'll be getting the glares from all my UNC friends, ha-ha! I think he would make a more dramatic impact on policies, etc if he just stayed in Congress. I will continue to read up on his efforts and maybe, just maybe, I would consider voting for him.....but at the current time I am endorsing President Barack Obama for re-election.
On a positive note, MARCH MADNESS is here!! All I'm going to say, at this point, is I hope Western Kentucky wins tonight's game! I still have to print, and fill out, my brackets! I want Syracuse to win (go figure and surprise, surprise.....give me a break I was BORN THERE!!!), but they have to face the University of North Carolina at Asheville. I have vowed to my UNC-A friends that I will remain neutral during their match-up on Friday afternoon. I do feel obligated to cheer for a North Carolina Public institution of higher education (and also was my back-up school if I didn't get into Western Carolina University). So for now.... GO SYRACUSE ORANGE[MEN] & GOOO UNCA BULLDOGS!!!!! The battle of the Bigs: Big East Vs. Big South!
Oh,by the way, did anyone else see MY ALMA MATER on ESPN2 as they fought hard against Davidson on Monday night in the Southern Conference Championship game??? Two words - Double Overtime (and yes, I was on TV at least twice)!!! I am so proud to be a Western Carolina University Catamount Alumnus! In fact, I've decided to forgo some of my other choices for graduate school and return to Western for my master's degree in.....Public Administration (not teaching as I once thought I was going to do; I'm too political).
If you want to contact me and discuss any political issues - or thoughts - then feel free:
E-mail: timoteohines@gmail.com
Facebook: Tim Hines
Twitter: @timoteohines
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