South Carolina

The third round is over.  Not too many surprises.  Trump won big as expected.  Rubio and Cruz are knotted at 2 and 2A.  Bush is out.  Kasich is hanging on and counting on the industrial North to save him (or he's in denial).  Carson?  Beats me.  He's done...he just doesn't seem to know it.  Sort of painful to watch.  

For my money, the big story was how far up Rubio moved.  For him to wind up 2nd (although really in a dead heat with Cruz) was remarkable.  The South Carolina primary also gave the Republicans the chance to showcase a new generation...a new face of the party.  I mean, to see a first generation Senator from Cuba, endorsed by a popular black Senator from South Carolina and a wildly popular first generation Indian woman who is Governor of the state standing on the stage together was awesome.  Talk about diversity.  I can't really fathom why these folks don't attract more voters looking to the future.  Especially when they are competing with an old, tired criminal (who happens to be a woman) and a 74-year-old Socialist!  It's just beyond me.  The only explanation is that the media and the unions are very powerful in promoting what they want.

So there are a lot of scenarios from now to the nomination in Cleveland.  Now that Bush is out I assume most of his supporters will move to Rubio.  Maybe a few to Kasich.  But it looks to me like Rubio and Cruz are going to continue to divide the vote and Trump is going to waltz to victory.  Unless he doesn't.  It's really up in the air.  So no predictions.  I'm just along for the ride like the rest of you.  I like Rubio.  I could live with Trump.  I could even hold my nose and vote for Cruz.  Anything but a criminal and a Socialist!