Money and politics is like weapons and buccaneers, drunk. Someone will get hurt, even if it’s the one holding the weapon. Newt Gingrich is predicting Armageddon, but thank God no nuclear weapons or buttons in his hand. However, there will be Republican blood on the sands of South Carolina. Super PACs are fueling an arms race unprecedented in US election politics, in significant part due to a recent Court ruling effectively allowing for unlimited money to be deployed. There is the presumption that such cannot be directed by the candidates, but little doubt that such are in the arsenals of the campaigns even if they cannot be seen as pulling the trigger. South Carolina, Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, (Above Photo) was the place where the American Civil War started now almost exactly 150 years earlier (April 12, 1861). South Carolina had a reputation even before the Civil War for tough rhetoric and secessionism. Don’t think that in this political clash most of the participants are yet aware of what intra-party carnage will be unleashed, and that after so much Republican blood spilt it may be difficult to close ranks against President Obama and the Democrats. For now though, the money is flowing like beer and bullets, in combination. Mitt Romney this time is stuck with the biggest bull’s eye on his candidacy because he is leading and had the advantage in Iowa of biggest Super Pac ally and war chest, but there are enough bullets to go around for everyone, as shooter and target. Rick Santorum may implicitly team up with Gingrich to slow down Romney. Rick Perry knows this is his last gunfight, unless he manages at least seriously wounding a few of the other candidates, preferably Romney. Ron Paul does not appear to have much of a Super PAC in his corner, probably in part because his anti-militarism views do not win favor with those who turn money into bullets. Nonetheless, he is both real threat to others and a very badly needed ally, symbol of the libertarian wing – essential to a Republican victory in November and a potential comrade in closing out the nominating battle. It’s ironic how Ron Paul’s anti-establishment perspective has nonetheless positioned his campaign on the high terrain. (Read: - "The Un-Warrior - Return of the Jedi Ron Paul" - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/the-un-warrior-return-of-the-jedi-ron-paul-by-ambassador-mo/43121), There is a lot of advice being passed around by Republican stalwarts, some of them responsible for the free flowing money, to keep the powder dry and avoid the political fratricide. With money flowing though, it is advice likely not to be heeded once drunk on the power of the campaign trail - kind of like telling your smartest friend not to drive after serving him drinks on the house out of a full keg and not taken the car keys away before the binge. Read Last in Series on US Presidential elections: - “Election for Christian America’s Soul?” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/election-for-christian-americas-soul-by-ambassador-mo/43449 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey



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