Spring Break
South Carolina Primary Shows Race's Role In '08
Greg Pivarnik
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Commentary
The South Carolina Democratic primary on Saturday was apparently a big deal for the Democratic Party. Barack Obama won in a landslide. He garnered 55 percent of the vote while Hillary Clinton and John Edwards received 27 percent and 18 percent respectively. More important than who won, because corporate politics is boring, is the potential social ramifications of such an event. Is America more progressive than once thought? Is race, gender, or religion even issues in the upcoming election? Before people start claiming the days of racism and bigotry are remnants America's past, and start anointing Obama as king of America, it is important to note that the electoral process is far from over.
The South Carolina primary is important for many reasons. It is the last primary before Super Tuesday, when 21 other states go to the polls and vote in their primaries. It is also the third primary of the big three, which also include the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. By this time in most election seasons, South Carolina is usually used as a gage to predict who will win the nominations for each party, with Super Tuesday usually being a formality. In many elections, this is when candidates begin to see the writing on the wall. This election season is different given the tight races in both parties, of which the American people can thank George W. Bush for doing a horrible job during his tenor. As all the bandwagon politicians say - it's time for a change in Washington.
The greatest significance of South Carolina is that it is the first southern state to hold a primary. Unfortunately, the South has a reputation for not being too tolerant. Maybe because of a little event in American history called the Civil War. Or maybe because of slavery, segregation or even the racial violence that took place and continues to takes place. There was ample evidence to lead corporate news outlets to believe the race Barack Obama was going to be an issue. Recent events in the public conscious include the Jena Six incident, James Byrd Jr., who was tied to the back of a pickup truck and dragged to his death in Jasper, Texas, and the shameful ignorance and apathy that took place in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The South Carolina primary is important for many reasons. It is the last primary before Super Tuesday, when 21 other states go to the polls and vote in their primaries. It is also the third primary of the big three, which also include the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. By this time in most election seasons, South Carolina is usually used as a gage to predict who will win the nominations for each party, with Super Tuesday usually being a formality. In many elections, this is when candidates begin to see the writing on the wall. This election season is different given the tight races in both parties, of which the American people can thank George W. Bush for doing a horrible job during his tenor. As all the bandwagon politicians say - it's time for a change in Washington.
The greatest significance of South Carolina is that it is the first southern state to hold a primary. Unfortunately, the South has a reputation for not being too tolerant. Maybe because of a little event in American history called the Civil War. Or maybe because of slavery, segregation or even the racial violence that took place and continues to takes place. There was ample evidence to lead corporate news outlets to believe the race Barack Obama was going to be an issue. Recent events in the public conscious include the Jena Six incident, James Byrd Jr., who was tied to the back of a pickup truck and dragged to his death in Jasper, Texas, and the shameful ignorance and apathy that took place in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
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