Obama Wins 55%!!! YES WE CAN!!!

The news is in, and everyone has had time to settle it. Obama didn't just win in South Carolina, as expected.

There are four important pieces to note:
1 - He more than doubled Hillary Clinton's vote.
2 - John Edwards was far, far behind.
3 - Obama's victory was not fueled solely by black voters.
4 - Democratic turnout increased from 2004 by nearly 45%
5 - More people voted Democratic than Republican. In South Carolina.

Here is what each of these mean:

1 - He more than doubled Hillary's vote. This was huge. A huge, huge, huge win. Hillary and Bill Clinton resorted to cheap, dirty politics after Iowa. They got a sympathy vote in New Hampshire - and won Nevada by using race as a wedge issue. Granted, they weren't nearly as disgraceful, tasteless and unconsciounable as a Republican campaign's use of race...but they played Latinos against African Americans to get a cheap win. It all backfired in South Carolina. In a three-way race, one can best hope for a plurality. Obama got a clear majority. Iowa was no fluke. Yes, we can.

2 - John Edwards was far, far behind. This marked the end of Edwards being able to make a plausible argument that he could be President. He can't. I don't think he needs to run out and leave the race. This is now a delegate race, and dropping out now would not help him in the least. The delegates that he's racking up now may very well make him the next Attorney General. And thank god for that. If you thought we needed a new President, go do a google search for the shit that has come out of the Justice Department. :)

3 - Obama's victory was not fueled just by African Americans. The biggest loser here is the Republicans who have *always* run with racist tactics. Democratic voters didn't buy into that crap. While there were difference along lines of race and gender (as would be expected in a race that comes down to *personalities* and who you can best relate to) - Democrats didn't vote *for* someone because of their race and gender. The only people who would think that are the Republicans who are determined that, in the fall, they are going to vote *against* someone because of their race or gender.

4 - Democratic turn out increased by 45%. What does that mean? We're committed. Our debate is about which of these three (two?) great candidates would be best suited to win the Presidency. Unfortunately, the other side is debating about which of their candidates is least horrible to them. It's cute to watch them gag over their own votes. :)

5 - More people voted Democratic than Republican. In South Carolina. Do not underestimate this. It's happened everywhere so far (except Michigan, where there was no actual Democratic race) - people are breaking to the Democratic party in record numbers. Which makes the childish fighting on the Republican side even more comical. South Carolina is as red as red can be. And there's no question that it will be red in the general election. Which makes it even more impressive that more people in South Carolina wanted to vote for a Democrat than a Republican.

Good luck in November, my Republican friends! You have two choices:

Nominate John McKenned...er...McCain/Feingold and watch his amnesty program become law....

Or, just throw in the towel.

We'll take your towel. :)