They Can't Both Win, Can They?

In what, unfortunately, reads like a less than gracious congratulations to Romney for his Michigan win, Senator John McCain, aka the Governor of New Hampshire, has promised a South Carolina win.

"I congratulate him on that Michigan welcomed their native son with their support," McCain added. "I said we would win in New Hampshire. We will win in South Carolina.

Meanwhile, the Pride of Iowa - don't wince, Iowa, you asked for it, Mike Huckabee is also promising a victory in SC:

"Ladies and gentlemen we're going to win South Carolina," he declared to supporters in Lexington.

"We put a flag in the ground here Saturday," he said of the state. "We're going to make it real clear that the first-in-the-South primary is going to give their support to the first-in-the-South candidate."

A surging Fred Thompson may have something to say about this, even if he doesn't win. According to Rasmussen, he's all but already caught Huckabee. By Sunday, one of the prognosticators above should be out of the race. If he doesn't continue to climb, Senator Fred could be out, too.

Given money concerns and the SC results, the wide-open 2008 Republican primary should start to close down, at least a little, this weekend. And there may be a two-man race, or even be a prohibitive favorite by the time Florida is done voting on January 29th. At most, some candidates may simply cherry pick states in an attempt to gain more delegates to make a better deal at any potential open convention. But Florida will have a lot to say about who gets the Republican nomination in 2008, right after South Carolina gives either Huckabee, or McCain, or perhaps both, some very bad news.

Comments

[Fred Beloit]

Meanwhile, Kos "screw them" Moulitsas has shown once again how much power he has to shape elections to his liking. LOL. moe, Boob, I congratulate you upon your selection of this bad boy for a hero.

" WASHINGTON (CNN) — Despite urging from some activists like Daily Kos' Markos Moulitsas that Michigan Democrats vote for Mitt Romney over John McCain, CNN exit polling indicates the Arizona Republican won the liberal vote."

[chris]

After 'praying on it' all night, I hope that the old coot from Tennessee wins SC. 4 states, 4 clowns. Oh, and let Rudy win Florida too. 5 states, 5 jokers. Lets see who limps to the finish and how much more money the party of patriotism has left for their esteemed candidate after all this.

[Fred Beloit]

Why, Mr. christamfordmum, with your favorite Mr. Kucinich almost out of gas and altitude, and the two contenders of your party, whom I am unworthy to mention, so closely tied, don't you think it is time for Mr. Bloomberg to enter the race as a Democratic? He sure is no Republicanic.

[chris]

Cmon, a retired/useless Fla. trailer denizen is hardly unworthy of much. You sell yourself short. Your party NEEDS you. You're the base.

[TheSpartan]

"Republicanic" is that like Titanic? Or panic? I think both are apt with the current GOP...next we'll hear Mitt and McCain have been caught in a bus station bathroom getting service by the Huckster.

[IslamoLlama]

"After 'praying on it' all night, I hope that the old coot from Tennessee wins SC. 4 states, 4 clowns. Oh, and let Rudy win Florida too. 5 states, 5 jokers."

Haha! I think that's a little too much to ask for. Honestly, I'd be happy to see Huckabee win the "heir-apparent" state of SC, just to watch the non-Jesus wings of the Republican Party return to their post-Iowa conniption fits of rage. But Rudy! has been so much fun, to date, I can't help but hold out hope that he carries Florida too.

Romney, McCain, Huckabee, 9ui11ani. Any way you slice it, Dems win in '08.

[Fred Beloit]

Moe, you made an elementary mistake in this statement: "...I'd be happy to see Huckabee win the "heir-apparent" state of SC..."

Wrong state. The hair-apparent state is NORTH Carolina. That's where bridal-cake Johnny Edwards comes from.

[Fred Beloit]

Wow, I've heard of tree toads before, but this is a first for three toads to comment together. People will say you're in love. Either that or they will accuse you of being one baggy-a--ed sock puppet. The latter would be my choice.

[IslamoLlama]

"Edwards was born on June 10, 1953 to Wallace Reid Edwards and Catharine Juanita "Bobbie" Wade in Seneca, South Carolina." ~ wiki

While a senator in North Carolina, Edwards is a native son of South Carolina. Just FYI. And as a Mittens cheerleader, your staunch opposition to well-groomed hair is hilarious. Regardless, Huckabee will take SC, the party will once again take a giant dump in its pants, and they'll trash poor Mike straight through California where Mittens will receive a big sloopy kiss from the Governator and seal the deal on the nomination.

In the process, you'll see Good Christian Soldiers flocking to the Democratic Party, we'll see an FDR-style realignment in '08, and I will laugh myself all the way to the Universal Health Care Office.

[templar knight]

I don't ever recall agreeing with with the Islam boy, but I do believe his scenario is the most accurate one I've seen. Unless something happens, I believe the primary and election will pretty much play out the way he envisions.

[Fred Beloit]

Well, I'm already grateful to these three mouseketeers for paying my monthly social security. Guess I'll be even more grateful when they pay my health care costs. Thanks for your service. Now back to work, you mutts. Poppa needs a new pair of shoes.

[TheSpartan]

You like pumps or flats?

[Fred Beloit]

Combat boots, sonny. They's ma favrytes.

[Fred Beloit]

Oh, and dancing pumps. I likes them too.

[TheSpartan]

"Combat boots"

I do love you chicken hawks love to dress the part.

[Waho Willie Sez:]

"The hair-apparent state is NORTH Carolina. That's where bridal-cake Johnny Edwards comes from."

Sorry dude. Johnny Reid is FROM South Carolina, he just happens to polute NC soil with his huge carbon foot print mansion. The deluded made him a senator from NC for a season. Don't look for him to carry either of the Carolinas though. It will be Fred and O'Bamarama in Carolina.

[Waho Willie Sez:]

"you'll see Good Christian Soldiers flocking to the Democratic Party."

ROFLMAO!!!! Why the hell aren't you on TV? Deaf Comedy Dam or something. Using the words "good" "Christian" and "Demonrat" in the same sentence. LOLOLOLOL. It's like "Clean" "Safe" and "Nuclear" being strung together.

[chris]

Or "Bush" "Victory" "Iraq" "WMDs". You 'necks are full of funny stuff!!

[Waho Willie Sez:]

"Or "Bush" "Victory" "Iraq" "WMDs"."

Yeah, just like that. You're actualy fairly bright for a school kid.

[rwilymz]

"Or "Bush" "Victory" "Iraq" "WMDs"."

Chrissy, Chrissy, Chrissy.

Still aren't tired of advertising your ignorance of all thing military, arya?

[templar knight]

"I do love you chicken hawks love to dress the part."

Actually, the sentence doesn't make much sense, but I know what message you intended to convey.

Now Fred said he was on Social Security, are you suggesting that people on Social Security go to Iraq and fight if they happen to support the war effort? Oh, I forgot, you're a Spartan, and I bet you fight 24/7. Yeah, right! Give up that name, boy, you are dishonoring it.

[IslamoLlama]

"ROFLMAO!!!! Why the hell aren't you on TV? Deaf Comedy Dam or something. Using the words "good" "Christian" and "Demonrat" in the same sentence. LOLOLOLOL. It's like "Clean" "Safe" and "Nuclear" being strung together."

Keep laughing, chief. But Republicans have been the party of Big Business since well before the Great Depression - straight back to Lincoln. Southern Evangelicals never really had a hand on the wheel, they were just along for the ride.

But between all the pedo-chatting, wetsuit-wearing, VP's gay-daughter-baby-making going down in the Red State offices, how long did you honestly believe the 'necks were going to stick around? Huckabee is winning the southern evangelical vote in part because of his religious flare, but in no small other part because of his grassroots populism. Guess who else is big on populism? :)

But keep laughing Willie. And Fred, your check is in the mail come '09. Don't worry, once we hook you up to the sweet sweet nectar of socialized medicine, you'll be voting Hillary in '12 with the rest of the country.

[Waho Willie Sez:]

Damn LameLama, that'd be pretty astute.......If you weren't talking out your ass. Look sweet bitches. I'm going to come out on top no matter who wins cause very little will change for me. It's you smart guy, with your 30+ years left to work to build the utopia you THINK you want. Yeah, socialized medicine will be great for when you start having a family and for me the occasional cold can be taken care...by your taxes. Fortunately, I can afford REAL medical treatment if needed.

[Waho Willie Sez:]

LameLama,just curious though. Are you REALLY voting for someone because you think you're going to get something for nothing?

Oops. Question. Lemme answer it for myself.BDS & BDS and more BDS and finally, cause my teacher said so.

[BobInStamford]

I am gratified to learn that Waho Willie doesn't have much time left. Enjoy what time you have left, patriot! A grateful nation salutes you!!

[Waho Willie Sez:]

"gratified to learn that Waho Willie doesn't have much time left."
Not aware that "patriot" is an insult. Kind of a badge of honor for me as is the metal for my "service". But anyway sport. I have the exact same guarantee of more trips around the sun as you do. Your parents too. Of course, you probably dont care anymore for your parents than you do for every other being on the planet. Sad, hapless little drone.

[BobInStamford]

What a fascinating perspective. Anyway, it's off to dinner for you, oh grizzled warrior - the early bird special ends soon. Be sure to tell the waitress about your heroic deeds, you might get an extra big piece of cheesecake.

[Waho Willie Sez:]

Oh boob. I'm not near old enough for the AARP dinner crowd. SO why dont you go down and thank them all for giving you your computer.

[Fred Beloit]

Moe writes: "And Fred, your check is in the mail come '09. Don't worry, once we hook you up to the sweet sweet nectar of socialized medicine, you'll be voting Hillary in '12 with the rest of the country."

SON, you don't have any idea of how this Nanny-state deal works. I won't be happy with "free" (meaning Islammaomoe, chris, and LOL-paid) health care for more than a week. Next I'll want more. I'll want help with that expensive area of life called transportation. Hell, I can't afford to buy my own car for God's sake. The government (you boys) is gonna help me out of this vast cause of suffering hurting hundreds of millions of Americans. I'm writing a pitiful plea to the New York Times right now.

[Wahoo Willie Sez:]

Come on Fred don't rain on thier parade. They are building themselves and thier children a utopia! They aren't afraid of giving half thier checks to the fed (shhh, dont tell 'em that's half BEFORE state and local taxes) They wont mind at all working until they are 70 to draw social security (assuming it's still around. Damn, I hope it's there when I'm ready to draw, whether I need it or not) And oh that "free" medical care....No, we have plenty of facilities, there wont really be lines like in Canada. I'd spend some time around a VA & a military hospital to see how great the government will handle your baby's birth. Whatever, it'll be "free" cause we're going to tax "Da Rich" for it. Of course, "rich" will rapidly consume those folks who make 200 G per couple. ANd Fred, yes, we will be getting help for transportation because the governmwent is going to tell the middle class what they can and cannot drive. Of course, the elite will continue to do as they please, cause they'll plant trees. It really is going to be wonderful!!!

[rwilymz]

The inherent flaw in democracy is that once The People® figure out that they can vote themselves paychecks out of the Treasury, they will do it.

Whether the paycheck comes in the form of outright cash [today's headline: "Bernanke: 'Get Money to the People'"], or in services [free health care, et al], it still costs money.

The largest fallacy of the European/Canuckian "solialized medicine" bandwagon/gravy train is that it's so much cheaper to get medical care there than here. No. It's not. The cost is buried under 15 layers of indirection. If it was a planet-raping right-wing corporation doing this, it'd be called 15 shell-corporations and money-laundering schemes. But because it's government that's doing this, it is called, instead, "cheaper" and by the truly ignorant "free".

What it amounts to is the government putting tax revenues into a succession of its own pockets until it eventually gets to the doctor. And it's roughly the same amount of money there that gets paid here.

But we have better service -- believe it or not.

And it's the same for every type of government service that directly benefits the citizen. It will cost just as much, if not more, to provide a lesser service and by an institution that doesn't care if it is cost-effective while providing it, and which therefore will ultimately *not* be cost-effective.

For the liberals and quasi-socialists out there, this means they will waste money as if it grew on trees. Which, in government, it does. Run out? print more. Problem solved.

And if the criticism is that market-based, profit-making institutions quite often forget the marginals who are on the outside looking in, well, happy day! you have a point. But the way to address that otherwise valid point is not by dismantling the system that largely works on its own, works for the va-a-a-a-a-a-a-ast majority of us, and works very very very very well for this vast majority.

The way to address your otherwise valid point is to alter the rewards and payoffs to that market-based system to include those marginals and pay for it from the profits the successful system generates on its own.

Make it beneficial to the profit-hungry medical establishment, give them an actual reward, to treat the uninsured and destitute, and they will line up to do it.

...and no, forcing the medical establishment to comply with a library full of regulations isn't the same thing as giving them a reward. "Do it and we won't punish you" is bad form, unless you're a tyrant.