The Sunshine Empire

That Barack Obama won the South Carolina primary was not a shock, but how he won it was certainly a shock.  That was a fine ass beat down by any stretch of the imagination.  It tells us that Obama can be a force on February 5th’s giganto-tastic super enormous Tuesday.  But polling in the large states still swing to Hillary.  I don’t think it was a surprise to Hillary either that she was going to lose last night.  Both Barack and Johnny were in the palmetto state feeling that they could win.  Hillary was in Tennessee of all places, not the kind of place to have a South Carolina party.

This Tuesday we will have a front row seat to the political obituary of Rudolph Guiliani.  With the Florida primary his last stand, and him polling with Ron Paul, our hearty prediction from the summer will crumble before us.  Hillary still looks capable of getting the Democratic nod, but our stone cold lock of Rudy with the Republicans has turned to dust.  I also think that Huckabee will essentially have to drop out after Florida.  He has no money and polling would have to shift drastically for things to turn around.  He may remain on the ballot until after February 5th, but Florida will be the end.

Tomorrow marks the last State Of The Union speech for George W. Bush.  The more milestones marking the coming end of his Presidency we pass, the brighter the mood of the country gets politically.  But I always love to watch the speech if not for the dueling standing ovations, when one side stands and the other side sits after a point is made, then for the time honored announcements from the Speaker of the House and the House Sargent at Arms.  What gimmicky individual does the First Lady have sitting next to her to make some hollow point?  The speech is high political theater, even if you tune out during the Medicare parts.