The satelite trucks [3] are here by the dozen...the reporters are here by the hundreds...and the political junkies are here by the thousands. It's political Nirvana.
SC Republicans kicked off the week w/our annual fundraising dinner, "The Silver Elephant Banquet", with about 1,500 in attendance, (making use of several overflow rooms in the process). Sean Hannity was the guest speaker and did a fine job. But that was just the warm-up for tonight's shindig, the "First in the South" Presidential Debate [4]...which absolutely HAS to be better than the one from two weeks ago, (no "what do you hate about America?" or "Would it be a good thing for Bill Clinton to be back in the White House?" questions I'm sure).
It offers yet another opportunity (and a bigger audience) for the candidates to introduce themselves to Republicans and, in some cases I'm sure, begin taking a few (but probably polite) shots at one another. The "top tier" guys will, again, work to avoid stumbling, and the other guys will be trying to get noticed, and/or probably be the ones taking the shots at the other guys.
Also this week, the RNC will be holing its quarterly meeting here in Columbia over the next few days...and this will be followed by the state GOP's annual convention here this Saturday, (with several of the presidential contenders making an appearance). Could a straw poll be in the works??
A good time will be had by all, I'm sure.
More:
The WaPo [5] points out there's a lot of pressure on Rudy in this debate...after his stumbles in the first debate and the days since... The Fix [6] is heading down...
The Politico [7] points out that Florida's House Speaker, who foolishly thinks he can muscle in our our "First in the South" status will be in attendance.
Sister Toldjah [8] has a nice roundup on the candidates. (h/t Wizbang [9])
