Just last week I made a similar trip from Elon University to Columbia. As I drove along the roads I noticed campaign signs for various candidates scattered hither, tither and yon. The volume of signs was evenly matched- if not outnumbered- by the amount of attention the state received (from both the candidates and the media) because of the pending primary contests.
The attention is not surprising, nor is it unreasonable. In past elections South Carolina has been a make or break state- with no GOP nominee having won their party's nomination without approval of South Carolinians. I don't believe, however, that the same can be said this year. Although John McCain certainly received a bump from his victory (and Mike Huckabee may have been dealt a deadly blow) it did not make him the party's poster child like a win would have in years past. I find this particularly interesting and, as a Romney supporter, encouraging. In fact, I believe we have Mitt Romney to thank for this year's dull response to the Palmetto primary.
Mr. Romney is re-defining the way the Republican party chooses its candidate. Instead of choosing based on the superficial momentum a candidate gains based on the vote of a handful of Iowans and frost-bitten folks in New Hampshire, Mitt's strategy has forced the party to choose its candidate based on substance (and convention delegates). This strategy, partnered with the six wide-eyed candidates, will set the tone for the eventual nominee's performance in November, too.
This year the candidates quickly packed up their things (and yard signs) in South Carolina and hopped on the next flight to Florida. Tomorrow's contest should prove to be interesting- with Romney looking to find the lead, McCain looking to keep the lead and Giuliani just looking for a miracle (that will give him the lead).
Regardless of who goes on to win Florida, they are all long gone from South Carolina- a state that is all but forgotten from their minds (unless you're John McCain).
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