A Rout in the Palmetto

In 1984 and 1988, Jesse Jackson won South Carolina. Barack Obama and Jackson are similar. They are also dissimilar. During his two campaigns, Jackson scored sixteen victories. However, President Jackson was impractical. President Obama is conceivable.

On Saturday, Obama won the South Carolina Democratic Primary. Obama (55%) scorched Senator Hillary Clinton (27%) and former Senator John Edwards (18%).

During his victory speech, Obama rebuked President and Senator Clinton. “The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders,” he said. “It’s not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white. It’s about the past versus the future. It’s about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today, or whether we reach for a politics of common sense, and innovation – a shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.”

Obama’s romp was impressive. He garnered men (54-23), women (54-30), African-Americans (78-19), 18-29 year olds (67-23), 30-44 year olds (62-23), 45-59 year olds (55-26), high school graduates (52-27), college graduates (57-26), married men (54-22), married women (49-30), single men (55-23), and single women (57-30).

Clinton is both the former First Lady and presumptive Democratic nominee. With that stated, her non-concession was arrogant. Her ignorance was conceited. Clinton should not avoid congratulations. She should acknowledge defeat. Especially, when she is trounced.