RIP Toots.

The older couple in this photo are Barak Obama's grandparents, the people who basically raised Barak and his half-sister. Sadly, on the eve of his probably making history as the first African-American President of the United States, Barak's grandmother has died.

For those who buy the internet bullshit about Obama being a terrorist from another country, take a look at that photo. Toots, as she was called, sure did not think her grandson was a danger to her country.

Tomorrow night, we'll hopefully see that neither does the majority of Americans.

BTPC predicts the races

Alright...I went up in the attic and pulled the old crystal ball out, so let's see whether or not I've still got the touch the gypsies at Greenwood Baseball Park blessed me with as a young firstbaseman. Once again, remember, there's a money-back guarantee...and I like my crow marinated in Italian dressing.

President: Obama is going to win and it is going to be big. So now that we've got that out of the way, let me address my people. I'm talking about the country-folk. The rednecks. Obama does not mean the end of the world. It will be a good thing for this country, no matter what, based on two things an Obama victory means. First, it is a huge deal for race in this country. There will still be racism and there will still be racists. But the significance of a person who not that long ago would have been considered 3/5ths of a person assuming the highest office in our land means something. Second, an Obama victory will go a long way to repairing our reputation around the world. If you don't believe that means something, then you are ignorant of just how BIG a "war on terror" is. We can't win it alone. We need help. For these reasons alone, an Obama victory is a good thing.

US Senate: Graham wins. I voted for Graham. Trust me, Conley is not a Democrat. Hell...Conley is not even a good crappy Republican, he's just an opportunist trying to ride Obama's coattails. The only reason he is even on the ballot, is because the state Democratic party and the trial lawyers have no sack. Democrats really missed a shot this year to pick off this seat. Seriously, if they had gotten off their asses and talked Judge Sanders into running again, this race would not be close.

US House Seat 6: Clyburn. The Whip ain't goin' nowhere.

State Senate 31: Leatherman barely nudges out Mr. Unopposed. Although I have it on good authority that there was a strong write-in campaign (a local attorney and his family decided to write him in, in protest). What do I know...I'm still waiting for the "things will be different now" that my Senator promised me last election.

SC House 60: Zach Cooper. Our first surprise? Cooper spoke this morning at the Breakfast Club and released some polling numbers. Sumter will be strong for him. But if the numbers he was giving for Florence hold up, it ain't gonna be close.

SC House 63: Crawford. Wingard is a good guy, has an impressive resume and I would like to see him win. Unfortunately, he's in a district that George W. could probably carry this election, so I think the numbers will do him in.

Sheriff: Gregg. This one is really going to be close, but I think the Obama effect will nudge Jimmy over Kenny Boone. I think Gregg will pull about 90% of the black vote and that turnout is going to the historic. If he can pull about a third of the white vote, I think that will be enough. Hell...a third of that vote could simply be Jimmy's family. I see Kenny doing well from Cherokee over through West Florence, with Jimmy carrying North and South. In all candor, I think the traffic unit is a big deal in this race. I don't care what Boone says the reason is for running radar, it has very little to do with safety and everything to do with getting in the cars. (Let's just put it this way, when Reino releases his next round of Boone facts, I recommend: Kenny Boone doesn't need "probable cause," he just tells the court "because"). And whether he admits it or not, having all those guys running radar on I20 and I95 is costing him coverage out in the sticks, which is going to cost him out in the Bluff and other places. There is a lot of heated passion out there in this race and I just hope those feelings die once the ballots are counted. I know people on both sides and the county could use all of them.

Treasurer: No idea. I really thought Williams would just slide in on Obama's coattails, a sentiment Lavell must have been thinking as far as I can tell. But that article that came out last Sunday in the FMN was untimely to say the least. In fact, if you looked up hatchet job in the encyclopedia, I think you would find that article. I really have no complaints with the job Fowler has done. I think that article probably sealed Williams fate and Fowler stays.

County Council 4: Mitchell Kirby. If you build it, they will vote.

City Council: Williams-Blake and Powers. I think the numbers and the Obama effect put both of the Dems on the Council. I would prefer Glynn Willis take the seat alongside Octavia, but I'm afraid that ain't happening. That's a shame. Glynn is a good guy who worked his tail off. He has a very nice family too.

Mayor: Stephen Wukela. Shocker, right. In all seriousness, Wukela deserves to win. Every city issue that has been discussed this election cycle has been brought to the table by Wukela. If he does not win, he can enjoy his evening knowing he made the folks who dusted the mothballs off a Rocky spend a shit load of money to keep him out of the Complex. Seriously...anyone want to take a guess on what they've spent on that campaign? When Wukela ran against Leatherman 4 years ago, it was the most expensive state race in South Carolina. Hugh spent $750k to stave off a relatively unknown first-timer. Let's face it, Wukela is basically running against those same interests this time.

No matter what happens tomorrow, it has been one hell of wild ride. But I'll be glad when its over.

Election Night Party

Everyone is invited to come out to Michael's Italian Restaurant tomorrow night. Come watch the results and help Stephen Wukela celebrate a) becoming the new mayor of Florence, or b) being able to go back to work making money full-time.

The candidate will not arrive until we know the results, but the bar and food will be ready around 7:30. Come out and help us celebrate the end of one hell of campaign.

A Conservative goes canvassing

A moving account of an older conservative's foray into this election. I really wish some of the older republicans I have listened to lately could have experiences like this. Hell...I wish John McCain would have an experience like this.

Who let this man out of the bunker?

That's what John McCain has got to be wondering. The "In the Shadows" VP showed his face this weekend in Wyoming, just to say:

"I believe the right leader for this moment in history is Senator John McCain," Cheney said, adding, "I'm delighted to support John McCain and I'm pleased that he's chosen a running mate with executive talent, toughness and common sense, our next vice president in Sarah Palin."

One might think its not such a good idea for Dick to be there stumpin'. That would be if one were not running against John McCain, here's Obama's response. Seriously...it's like they're worried Obama is not going to win by a big enough margin.

"From my ass I can see Belgium"

Some Canandian Jerky Boys prank called Palin and were actually put on the line with her for roughly 5 minutes. Whoever her "handler" is, is a joke. I like the Obama campaigns response:

Asked by ABC News if he'd heard the prank call played on Alaska Gov. Sarah
Palin, Robert Gibbs, a senior adviser to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., told
reporters that he'd heard parts of it.
His response?
"I'm glad we check out our calls before we hand the phone to Barack Obama," Gibbs said.

Shocker.

In what has to be their least surprising endorsement yet, the Florence Morning News thinks Rocky Pearce should be elected mayor of Florence.

It should come as no surprise that the paper, which is beholden to the powers that be, does not endorse Wukela, who is running against the establishment. I guess it does "wear a little thin" for the folks over FMN when Wukela keeps questioning the job all their buddies are doing.

Since its no surprise, I'll refrain from discussing how ridiculous it is to talk up the johnny-come-lately's leadership skills and ask what Pearce was doing with those skills before June 10th, if he really saw all the need for change. There's no need to, because everyone knows that's all bullshit. This is all an exercise in survival for those who have run this town for so long. Whatever. All those guys are not getting any younger. It's like fighting the tide, sooner or later they will all be either out or gone.

But I do take issue with the endorsement itself. The courts did not declare Wukela the winner of the primary, the voters did. The courts simply upheld the results, as they should have. And what votes were not counted? There was not a single vote cast that was not counted in that race. Come on Harry and Co, get your facts straight. That is almost as lame as sending out a mailer on Friday quoting your opponent, while misspelling his name.

Show some leadership, Rocky. Get someone on spellcheck.