South Carolina Republican Primary is One Month Away

2016 Republican presidential candidates
2016 Republican presidential candidates

When I was in high school, I got a job with NBC News doing exit polls for the South Carolina primary. It was one of the coolest jobs I’ve ever had, and I wish that I could be there on February 20th to interview Republican primary voters. The latest polls show Trump with a 14.5 point advantage over Ted Cruz.  I’d like to ask Trump voters “Why?” because I can’t understand.

My Momma lives in Upstate South Carolina and won’t be voting for Trump. She says he’s a bully who belittles anyone who disagrees with him. The Republican governor is distancing herself from the Donald when she said in the Republican response to Obama’s state of the union address, “During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation.”

Surprises often happen in Iowa and New Hampshire, but my home state has almost always picked the eventual nominee. South Carolina has been called a “fire wall” that would stop any rogue candidate from getting the election and help cement the party behind a single candidate.  We’ll know in a month, and as much as I want to look away, I can’t help but watch the train careen off the tracks.