Over the last 14 days, the Republican Party has succeeded in doing two things: holding exactly one caucus and exactly one primary. Believe it or not, only two States have decided who they want to be the next Republican nominee for the office of President. While these last two contests, particularly Iowa, have felt like the fate of the world rested on their outcomes the reality is that both of these States reflect the American conservative as well as a broken mirror reflects the rotundity of Al Gore’s midsection. While the intrinsic value of the Iowa & New Hampshire voter to the primary process is without question, the fact that two of the most unique States in the country are able to have so much importance granted to them is certainly worth examining. Why is it that Iowa – which contains an abnormally large population of evangelicals – and New Hampshire - which is filled with Independents and ex-Bay Staters – have the ability to so dramatically influence the nominating process in a nation that is filled with such a unique group of conservatives? This is not to say that Iowans or New Hampshirites aren’t conservatives – far from it. Rather, this is to say that the voice of a few hundred thousand Republican in two of the most unique places in this great nation of ours fail to reflect the average American GOP voter and that giving them such a strong influence on who our nominee will be does a disservice to both the Party and the nomination process.
Next Republican Primary
This brings us to South Carolina, the next State in the primary process. The polling in the Palmetto State has consistently reflected the national polling and unlike Iowa and New Hampshire, is far from predictable in its outcome. Many pundits viewed Iowa as a toss-up between Romney and the flavor of the week (which it was) and New Hampshire as a stone cold lock for Mitt Romney (which it was). Compare that with South Carolina which has seen Cain, Perry, Gingrich, and now Romney lead. When examining the trends nationwide, South Carolinians have been a much more accurate reflection of what the American Republican is thinking. Furthermore, South Carolina is a bigger state that consistently votes in favor of the GOP making it a much more trustworthy benchmark of conservative thought.
Does this mean that South Carolina should be able to choose the next Republican Presidential nominee? Of course not. Indeed, a national primary would be the most equitable way to determine our Party’s nominee but tradition will prevent that from happening (at least for now). The point being made is that South Carolinians better represent who the Republican Party is at this given time, much more than Iowans or New Hampshirites are able to. This is why South Carolina matters – or should. Keep that in mind when watching the returns on Saturday the 21st and when you go to the polls in your State. Should the next Republican nominee reflect national or regional sentiment?
[...] an Open Primary is composed of more Conservative Voters than the first two states. Many believe South Carolina will give a better idea of the actual race than the first two states did. With Santorum now laying [...]