NPR: McCain Leads GOP in South Carolina

McCain Leads GOP in South Carolina

As we're sitting here, the South Carolina Republican primary has been called for Arizona Sen. John McCain. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is second.

We're not shocked. On the way in, we met folks who were flying in -- South Carolina residents who had business out of state, or homes elsewhere -- just to vote for McCain. One man was a veteran who said he felt McCain was a straight shooter He said, "I'm old, too! I think he still has a lot to offer."

No fancy political analysis, just one guy's opinion. But it rang true among a lot of veterans in this state.

One other observation: there are more Ron Paul signs here than for fomer New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. South Carolina has been so important to Republicans since Ronald Reagan. Did it really make sense for Giuliani to skip it?

Another question: before the today's election, polls showed most Republicans thought the number one issue was the economy. Wouldn't that, then, be an argument for Romney, the turnaround guy? ... So, why didn't he do better?

Michel Martin

11:14 PM ET | 01-19-2008 | permalink

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
May we contact you with information about NPR programming and services? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

E-mail Updates from the Tell Me More Blog

Share Your Story

What would it take to get your vote? Share text, audio or video.

'Tell Me More' with Michel Martin

"Nothing is assumed." That's the unofficial motto of Tell Me More, the new Monday-Friday talk show with host Michel Martin. Grounded in lively interviewing and compelling storytelling, the program seeks to present diverse new voices, cross borders, challenge conventional wisdom and discover how other people think.