The start of second semester has bought the Republican primaries right to my front door, which unfortunately meant no Obama. Instead we were visited by Republican hopefuls, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich.
Could this be the reason behind Gingich’s surprising victory in the South Carolina primaries this week?
Writing a post about politics may not be a wise decision but as I’m writing about my experiences in the States here goes.
Living in the heart of the American South gives me little diversity among Republicans and Democrats but does make for some lively and interesting southern studies lectures. Without getting into the nitty gritty debates on Obama, healthcare, economy etc. I do want to comment on the fact that the first of the primaries took place in South Carolina this week and their outcome was somewhat surprising.
All I’ve read about for the past two weeks here in South Carolina, whether in the State Newspaper or the Daily Gamecock, has been about the South Carolina primaries. It seems many Politian’s, especially those attempting to take on Obama for the Whitehouse, see South Carolina as very important. Statistics have shown that since 1980 the candidate who wins in South Carolina goes on to win the party nomination and therefore will go head to head against Obama as republican nominee this coming November. Thus many were a little worried to hear that Newt Gingrich took the victory with 41% of the vote.
So let’s all give a cheer for man of the hour Newt Gingrich... or let’s not. Apart from his uncanny resemblance to Dwight Shrute from The Office in his earlier days (see picture below) and this recent win in South Carolina there is little else going for Gingrich and his campaign. The fact that following his role in the governments shut down in 1995 – 96 there were 84 ethics charges filed against him or the fact that Clinton received higher approval ratings than Gingrich following his Lewinski scandal in the 1998 which subsequently led to his resignation as speaker of the house should surly be indicators that perhaps Presidency is not for Newt. Oh and let’s not even talk about his name. Not only was there his past history within government which went against Gingrich but there were numerous personal attacks thrown around the public platform to try and deter voters, all of which had seemingly little affect.
I’m not saying that had I been eligible to vote that I would be willing to vote for any of the other candidates, I am merely suggesting that out of the four Gingrich could have quite possibly have been the worst choice.
Being present during this political spectacle it has become clear that American politics is a dirty game of slander, personal attacks and live TV debates during with the nation watch on, waiting for public embarrassment or the opportune moment to delve into a nominees personal life. I have to admit there was a terrible curiosity to watch Rick Perry forget his own plan during the GOP debates, and watch again in disbelief when he forgot both the voting date and age. But for Gingrich it seems that not even a last minute attack from an ex-wife over his alleged desire for an open marriage could bring him down.
The rest of the primaries will be interesting to follow and you never know it could be President Newt Gingrich, 45th President of the United States, being sworn into office a year from now.
And on the bombshell (in the words of Clarkson) the Politian’s move on to Florida to begin the drama all over again.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2089497/Separated-birth-Uncanny-resemblance-young-Newt-Gingrich-The-Offices-Dwight-Schrute.html
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