OPEN THREAD: South Carolina Democratic Primary
by Maria Niles

With the field of Democrats effectively down to three, political junkies are very interested in the outcome of the first 2008 vote in the south for Democrats.

Race and gender have become the media's favorite issues to cover in South Carolina. Well, race, gender and fighting. Edwards "Grown Up" ad showing him decrying the "squabbling" between Clinton and Obama during the recent debate seems to have moved him up in the polls with some some showing him threatening to take second place ahead of Clinton.


Regardless of the emphasis on the often tiresome, offensive and petty nature of the campaign, it does seem to be spurring record turnout in every state so far on the Democratic side so it's ultimately good for democracy.

While we wait for results:

Check out Pundit Mom's post: Race, Gender and the South Carolina Primary

Read Morra Aarons-Mele's post with guest poster Rikyrah from Jack and Jill Politics: South Carolina and Black Voters

And, don't miss Heather B.'s post: Black women voters will vote on the issues

For some local perspective visit Lowcountry Blogs from the Charleston
Post and Courier

South Carolina blogger nuthinfancy says:

either way, the most conservative of conservative states will make history tomorrow by choosing a black man or woman as a presidential candidate....

And if this you need more of a fix to talk primaries today...

Tracy Russo has an open thread at the John Edwards 08 blog
Elisa has an open thread at MotherTalkers

And, finally, if you need a laugh, check out Comedy Central's Indecision 2008 where they predict "Obama Will Absolutely Probably Win the South Carolina Primary."

BlogHer CE Maria Niles talks politics on her PopConsumer blog

Join BlogHer's discussion-leave your link, comment, and thoughts as the Democrats vote in the first Southern state up for grabs.

Submitted by Maria Niles (view blog) on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 12:59

Comments

 

We support John Edwards.

We support John Edwards. Barack Obama most likely will win today in South Carolina. If Obama wins the nomination we will enthusiastically support him as we will support John Edwards. As for Hillary Clinton, the corporatist, if she gets the nomination, we will vote for her on a third party here in New York called the Working Families party. The Clintons unfortunately believe you have to play nice with Republicans and we do not believe so. In fact we tell you to call and boycott some of their contributors in order to force their CEO to get the needed progressive compassionate legislation passed into law by congress and the present mean spirited failure of a president..

See our website at http://www.democratz.org and our stores at http://store.democratz.org and http://store2.democratz.org and our web log at http://blog.democratz.org

Submitted by www.democratz.org on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 15:30
 

Go Edwards! I'm trying hard to be hopeful
about a #2 spot.

I just wanted to point out that we have smart and talented bloggers on MOMocrats.com who have been passionately writing about John Edwards and Democratic politics since last year. ...yet we are never included in these round-ups. Now we know what Edwards feels like. ;-) Thanks for mentioning our girrrrl PunditMom along with the other excellent bloggers. And, thanks for presenting such a balanced view with this post.

Our goal is to take on "the big issues" that affect mothers/families especially, and try to foment change. Our big issue this time around has been trying to get John Edwards elected because we feel he best stands for families among other things. After that, we're not sure yet what issue we are going to tackle. (Anyone have ideas?)

Just pushing for some visibility for our passionate, informative, funny, witty political blog. Thank you for allowing me the chance.

...back to biting my nails now!

Stefania Pomponi Butler


I blog:
CityMama
Kimchi Mamas
MOMocrats

Submitted by CityMama on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 15:34
 

MOMocrats rock!

Hey Stefania,

I only included posts on BlogHer (because there are so many great ones) and South Carolina specific blogs & threads so I wasn't purposefully ignoring or excluding MOMocrats from the roundup.

And I agree completely that your blog is fabulous and everyone should go read! As for a post-Edwards campaign issue to tackle, I'd encourage you to keep following Edwards' lead and focus on the issues of poverty, corporate influence on government, universal health insurance and the ever growing income inequality gap.

PopConsumer
Beyond Help

Submitted by Maria Niles on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 16:12
 

My daughter voted in Charleston this morning

It wasn't crowded and she voted Hillary. I'm so proud.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 15:36
 

You Never Know

I think it's possible Edwards could come in 2nd, but Hillary's organization is so huge on the ground, you can't count her out either. Has everyone already given South Carolina to Obama?

Sairy, also at SFBayStyle & the Silicon Valley Moms Blog

Submitted by Sarah Granger on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 16:07
 

No longer willing to predict

Although polls show Obama with a double digit lead, after New Hampshire pundits are no longer willing to predict. There are also a large number of undecided and soft voters so things could change radically.

I would not be at all surprised to see Obama 1st and Edwards 2nd. But I also wouldn't be surprised to see Clinton eek out a win.

If Obama does not win I think, although it was widely dismissed post-NH, especially given that this is in a deep south state, sadly the Bradley Effect will have to be seriously considered as a reason.

PopConsumer
Beyond Help

Submitted by Maria Niles on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 16:20
 

I wanted to get home in time to see polls
close...

...so I am now settled in front of CNN and MSNBC (one on the laptop, one on the tv, and blogher refreshing in my FF window) because I think this will really sway some Super Tuesday voters. I really think Obama needs this one to head into Feb. 5th looking strong.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Submitted by Erin Kotecki Vest on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 16:26
 

Babbled on for awhile about

Babbled on for awhile about all of this here.

So many issues...so much to think about...Not sure anything I think or say is coherent, but I'm reading along and watching it all unfold for what it's worth.

Laurie
LaurieWrites

Submitted by lauriewrites on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 17:07
 

Bill Clinton

Looking for clip now...but I swear he just brought up race out of the blue for NO reason other than to make Obama look bad....looking for clip....wow. I'm stunned.....finding clip......

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Submitted by Erin Kotecki Vest on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:00
 

Article not clip

Here is an article http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/26/611927.aspx

Submitted by Maria Niles on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:07
 

Ha. I just found it too!

You're faster than I am!

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Submitted by Erin Kotecki Vest on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:11
 

Obama projected winner

One second after polls close! But not clear yet whether Edwards or Clinton has taken second.

Submitted by Maria Niles on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:02
 

CNN has Clinton second

I suspect this is going to be accurate.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:29
 

My guestimate

Obama 51%
Clinton 26%
Edwards 23%

Submitted by Maria Niles on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:41
 

Mom in Anderson, SC

She voted Obama (boo!) and there weren't many people at the polls and she's grouchy because she didn't get an "I voted" sticker. Darn SC can't hold an election properly. ;-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:28
 

Well...we're next Denise.

I guess I should figure out who I'm going to vote for on Tuesday. :-)

And I better get a sticker!

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:37
 

Yea Catherine

The least they can do is give us poor diesnfranchised democrats a sticker on Tuesday. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:38
 

That's what it should say too!

Thanks for voting you poor pathetic disenfranchised voter.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
CatherineBlogs, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:59
 

One good thing about being disenfranchised

We've gotten very few phone calls from Democratic candidates... as opposed to the ten a day we are getting from the Republicans.

I cringe every time the phone rings, I'm so sick of Romney's phone calls.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 19:11
 

try to fit that on

a sticker....

Submitted by Morra Aarons on Sun, 01/27/2008 - 09:57
 

I'm tempted to make my own

I have that big sheet sticker printer paper and could make some to put on our backs as we head in and out of our polling places.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Sun, 01/27/2008 - 10:34
 

Give Mom a kiss!

From me!

Obama '08

Submitted by Maria Niles on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 18:43
 

No!

I ranted to her about patriarchy. At least she didn't vote Kucinch. She tends to throw her vote away every year. Nadering, ya know.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 19:10
 

Is it okay to be happy that Ohio will matter
now?

That's been the big chat here this week for the Dems. But as some of you know, I've been dreading it! lol

Laid up in bed trying to figure out who is livestreaming - Erin - is it CNN or MSNBC that's better on the 'net?

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 19:10
 

I'm late on this...but next time

MSNBC will usually be better net wise for THEIR stuff and for returns. So if they are running the debate, etc.

BUT- the CNN live stuff is great when they put all the speeches up, etc. And for their debates. Unfortunately due to the whole Gore/Florida thing they are usually last to call a race or give you returns.

Personally? I put CNN on my tv and MSNBC on my laptop. Sometimes I put CSpan on the office tv too. But-you know, I'm a junkie.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Submitted by Erin Kotecki Vest on Sun, 01/27/2008 - 00:53
 

Thank you!

Erin - thanks very much! I don't watch tv much at all so I try to get by with NPR and what I can get on the Internet. Some of the blogs also move pretty fast and get articles up or liveblog results etc and that's helpful, but it is kind of fun to watch the tv commentators too.

Much appreciated -

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill on Sun, 01/27/2008 - 07:32
 

Hillary's statement

Statement from Hillary Clinton

"I have called Senator Obama to congratulate him and wish him well.

"Thank you to the people of South Carolina who voted today and welcomed me into their homes over the last year. Your stories will stay with me well beyond this campaign and I am grateful for the support so many of you gave to me.

"We now turn our attention to the millions of Americans who will make their voices heard in Florida and the twenty-two states as well as American Samoa who will vote on February 5th.

"In the days ahead, I'll work to give voice to those who are working harder than ever to be heard. For those who have lost their job or their home or their health care, I will focus on the solutions needed to move this country forward. That's what this election is about. It's about our country, our hopes and dreams. Our families and our future."

Submitted by Morra Aarons on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 19:59
 

MSNBC Cut off Hillary

As it was not being called a "concession" speech they just bagged it after she said congrats to Obama.

Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain

Submitted by Erin Kotecki Vest on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 20:54
 

Urgh

I like Hillary. I also like Obama. But, Im Canadian and can't vote in the US. I hope that all US citizens understand that who the next president is, greatly effects the whole world. I hope everyone gets out to vote either way...

www.alphabetphotography.ca

Submitted by jen633505 on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 09:29
 

Faye Anderson's post

Check out Faye's post on SC:

http://andersonatlarge.typepad.com/andersonlarge/2008/01/black-voters-tu...

What do you think?

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 10:29