Offering frequent news and analysis from the majestic Evergreen State and beyond, The Cascadia Advocate is the Northwest Progressive Institute's unconventional perspective on world, national, and local politics.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

John McCain leading in South Carolina primary with a fraction of the vote in

With just over 20% of precincts reporting in South Carolina, John McCain and Mike Huckabee are battling for the lead in the Republican primary. None of the major television networks are projecting a winner yet. The race is too close to call.

McCain currently has 36%, while Huckabee has 28%. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney and Frederick of Hollywood are competing for third place. Thompson is currently winning that battle (but not by very much); he has 15% to Romney's 14%.

Ron Paul and Rudy Guiliani running far behind with 4% and 2% apiece.

Thompson was the first of the field to address supporters, but his speech only consisted of a ridiculous glorification of conservatism. Thompson did not speak to or even hint at any future plans. Keith Olbermann just asked Tim Russert on MSNBC what the point of the speech was, and Russert replied that no one knew, not even Thompson's advisors, who couldn't tell NBC what to expect from his remarks.

UPDATE: As of 5:35 PM Pacific Time (and with 40% counted) the numbers appear to be holding steady, with little change. Huckabee has tightened the gap between himself and John McCain, but that's about the extent of the change.

UPDATE II: Duncan Hunter is apparently dropping out of the Republican contest. It's about time - I'm not sure how he has stayed open for business for so long. Describing his showing in the caucuses and primaries as terrible would be generous.

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