IS PERRIN OUT OF THE RACE?

Democratic candidate Carl Perrin has not won a single delegate, even in New Hampshire, the state where he grew up. The candidate admits he should have been more active in the Granite State. Not too many people there remember him after 50 years. He also had high hopes for South Carolina because he served in the Dixie Division at Fort Jackson during the Korean War. Unfortunately, whispering campaigns have painted him as a New England Yankee despite service in the Dixie Division. Even so, that was over 50 years ago also.

So, is Perrin ready to throw in the towel? “No way,” says the smiling candidate. The Florida primary is coming up next, and he lived in the Sunshine State for a while, and that was more recent, just a little over a year ago. "The guys and gals in the West Palm Beach Writers’ Group will remember me,” he says, “and so will the people in the Century Village Computer Club. I expect to have a lot of support in south Florida.”

Soon the fight will go on to Ohio, Missouri, Maine, and New Jersey. Perrin has taught in all those states and has thousands of former students who will remember him. Perrin quoted a famous philosopher: “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over, and it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.” Perrin is a man who believes in looking at the bright side of things.

ON TO SOUTH CAROLINA

Romney pulls a win in his home state of Michigan. McCain and Huckabee, who placed second and third in the Michigan Republican primary, headed straight for South Carolina. Democrats didn’t compete in the Wolverine State because it violated party rules by changing the date of its primary.

The next contest is the Nevada caucuses on the 19th, but the next big fight will be the South Carolina primary on January 26. Huckleberry hopes to do well there because of his appeal to Evangelicals. McCain hopes to win because of his appeal to Independents and to the military. Romney hopes to make a good showing after his Michigan win.

On the Democratic side, Edwards has an edge because he was born in South Carolina. Clinton and Obama both hope that their respective wins in New Hampshire and Iowa will give them a boost on the 26th. These establishment politicians could be in for a surprise, though, because dark horse candidate Carl Perrin has something that none of the other Democrats can claim. He has military experience. Not only that, but he served in the Dixie Division at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, during the Korean War. See the picture of him above outside his tent at Jackson. It could be a whole new ball game if Perrin is able to pull off a win in South Carolina.