But just as he's gotten away with abramoff and all the other scandals-he's keeps his fingerprints off it-by going and meeting on streets-with no email trace-no phone calls. It's the way he's always operated to keep his fingerprints off.

It would not be particularly hard to do when you have corrupts forces in places in these states-like Katherine Harris and Jeb in Fla-to some operators in SC too. After all, the Bush family has had land and influence in SC going back to Prescott days. (Aiken maybe?)

I'm from SC and it is one of the dirtiest places for GOP campaigns I have ever seen. There seems to be an established "aristocracy" mentality of GOPers there. It's also a very militaristic and evangelical state-home to both Citadel and Bob Jones.It is also a state usually ranked 43-50 in educational rankings(50 being lowest).

Maybe the "monarchial" mentality goes back to being one of the first states inhabited by colonists. Though they take pride in this fact, the mentality still seems very monarchial(ie British)about govt.-rather than Democratic. But since this is the way govt.(controlled by whites) has always been there-unfortunately it's hard for African-Americans and other minorities to see any hope for changes there and have to play "white" games. (SC also was first in seceding from the union due to slavery back when Lincoln was Pres.)

SC is a state which likes thier monarchies/aristocracy.

I've mentioned that I'm originally from SC and have parents there still.

I had a hateful Rovian-like email circulated to me (from mom-forwarded to her by some her WHITE GOP friends)over a year ago in the"Obama is a Muslim" vein of smear.

You don't live there GG, and you don't understand the simplistic us/them mentality of SC backed both by a military and an evangelical base.

So, in answer to that kind of hate/racial smear tactic-he has no choice but to answer it.

It's too much an ingrained part of the SC voters' mind.

Secondly-it has been the media-and maybe you've missed all of the debates that religious questions were brought up-that have made the issue of religion front and center.

You neglected to mention Mitt Romney in all of this-instead honing in on only 2 candidates.

Or what about a Guiliani thrice-married-moving his mistress into the Govs. mansion, I think before his divorce was even final.

I would rather see the questions brought up as morality issues-or philosophy-over religion-but sadly it's you and the media that want to continue to try to divide and ask secondary/irrelevant/intrusive questions as opposed to issues primarily.(war, economy, torture, wiretapping..)

I agree with Tortoro-thanks GG.

fwiw-I'm not worried about Obama trying to remake the Constitution according to the Bible.

Huck-yes

(the disrespect for the US as being a melting pot of races, religions.. was on full display in that single-minded,intolerant declaration).

Glad to read so many of the intelligent readers are easily able to see through your obtuse argument about religion---with blatant disregard to the mentality/importance(in SC voters minds) of religion.

Put the cardboard tube down GG-there's a much bigger picture to present to readers here-like understanding the politics/religions/bases of certain states like SC...

(which I still don't get myself- even having been a native).

You really don't see the difference between someone saying they are a Christian and one who says he wants to remake the Constitution according to the Bible?

Seriously?

'cause there are worlds of Dominionists greys there.

Why don't you just admit-that there is something about Sen Obama that he is able to transcend and touch peoples' hearts and minds?

You want to call it "religion" or "messiah-complex" of many of his followers-but it's more than that.

what that "it" is-is something emotional and not describabale.

I have yet to hear you say or even comment from any of the places the primaries/caucuses were held-or go to any of the places the candidates are-to interview them yourself.

So all you have is second-third-hand information.

You also want to get angry at Obama supporters for defending him so readily-without trying to see why supporters think he is such a great candidate.

Supporters aren't about to see thier candidate get smeared in the Rovian way-because I don't think he is made of the same slime and sludge insider Beltway politicos are.

That's refreshing, inspiring, honest, and courageous...

if he's willing to stick to his truth and be straight with me-I will gladly reward that honesty/wisdom--by striking down at unfair charges/slanders/smears against him.

I can be objective-but as I have repeatedly asked-can we talk about issues to be objective about and not these Right-wing talking points?

Pleeeez!

I'm not religious either.

But I can recognize something out of the ordinary-not status quo--by looking at how a person has voted and lived his life-to make a judgement about them.

And I have looked at his votes and his work in Ill.