While watching the Super Tuesday primary results on CNN, I was reminded of why I went into print journalism.
“With one percent of precincts reporting, we’re projecting that (some candidate) will take (some state).”
Wow, thanks Wolf. Get back to me when you get two percent—I might believe you then.
Needless to say, Super Tuesday was a monumental day. Whether the broadcasters really kept you on your toes, well that’s still up for debate. But there is no denying that this year’s primary races were the fiercest in quite some time.
While most Super Tuesdays have served to bring forward an obvious front-runner, this year many are wondering whether or not the two parties will even have a nominee in time for their respective conventions.
This fear is mostly rooted in the Republican Party, which has been locked in a three-man battle ever since Giuliani dropped out late January. Even as analysts began calling it a two-man race — between Romney and McCain — Huckabee came out with a sudden win in West Virginia, and then several wins in the South.
Huckabee was quick to wag this in the face of his critics.
“You know, over the past few days, people have been trying to say this is a two-man race. You know what? It is. And we’re in it!” he said to supporters Tuesday night.
Unfortunately for Huckabee, Romney was able to pull of some big wins as well. Into Wednesday afternoon Huckabee was listed below Romney in the delegate count.
What effect will such a divided Republican party have on the November presidential election? McCain may indeed get the Republican nomination, but he has his critics. James Dobson released a statement saying that, quite frankly, he will not vote in November if John McCain gets the nomination.
“I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime,” he said in the statement, which was released to the Laura Ingraham Show on Tuesday.
Not vote? Well, Dr. Dobson, I can understand your frustration, but aren’t you being a little extreme? With an already embarrassingly low voter turnout — about 60 percent, according to The Committee for the Study of the American Electorate — do we really need a respected, educated man saying things like this?
Well, the man has his rights, says Dr. Dave Peters, professor of political science, but it certainly doesn’t help.
“That is certainly his prerogative as an American to choose not to vote,” said Peters. “Others might follow suit, but I will not … I want to exercise my opportunity, even if I don’t like all the candidates.”
Laura Ingraham, who has joined with the other loud conservative commentators in shredding McCain, seems to share his sentiment. She told Fox News that she would certainly vote for McCain if he got the nomination.
“Hillary or Obama against McCain? I mean, c’mon,” she said.
Oh, the drama. I don’t think even the striking Hollywood writers could cook up something this juicy. And even if they could, they wouldn’t — at least not without an acceptable contract.
