Today is a test of TPTB

[SaintPete]

I've heard the two drumbeats...
1) The voting process is rigged, TPTB will select whomever best serves their interests
2) Romney is the choice of TPTB

We also know SC is supposed to be the GOP kingmaker, with an unbroken record of sending primary winners on to the GE. But Newt is surging against Romney. It looks like he might snag a double digit win...what will TPTB do?

Here's a little test...
If TPTB want Romney, Romney will win. Gingrich will come close, but Romney will pull it off, probably at the expense of Ron Paul.

If Gingrich wins, then we'll know one of the following:
A) TPTB have abandoned Mitt
B) The vote isn't rigged
C) The TPTB just aren't as powerful as TPTB ought to be.
D) SC is no longer the kingmaker. No way in hell Gingrich gets anywhere close to the Oval Office.

Recent events indicate that TPTB don't really feel that they must continue to act discreetly. The anti-OWS warm-ups to a police state, and the power grabs in Florida, Wisconsin, and Michigan tell me that the cat's out of the bag. We can expect TPTB to be more brazen in their displays of power.

If so, then I think Mitt will win, despite the Gingrich surge. The fix is in, and they probably don't give a damn if we know it...

[2banon]

1. I think the TPTB really want Mitt

But there's always the slight of hand routine. It will be interesting to see how they work this.

[BlueCaliDem]

2. Gingrich should win, but that would make the GOP look fractured

so the TPTB will try to play sleight of hand and have Willard win, just like they did in Iowa.

[SaintPete]

4. A Newt win in SC

serves no one but Newt

I don't think it will be allowed...

[BlueCaliDem]

10. It was an open primary. I think he wasn't supposed to win

but how many Democrats voted in that primary today?

Now the GOP looks fractured, disorganized, and weak.

[SaintPete]

12. and Jeb immediately circles the wagons

around Mitt.

Gingrich will not be allowed. They all know the dude is a time bomb, they just want him to explode before he enters the GE.

No way Gingrich wins the candidacy.

UPDATED - Now I hear that Jeb denies endorsing Romney.

This shit just keeps getting better

[BlueCaliDem]

13. Willard needs to demand Newt produce his records on his $1.6 million payout

from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pay-offs - I mean, payments. Heh.

This is going to be an exciting election year!

[Bicoastal]

3. Toilet Paper Teddy Bear?

...I give up. What does TPTB stand for?

[SaintPete]

5. TPTB stands for

the powers that be

[izquierdista]

6. I liked the first one

And if the Occupy movement gets going, 'TPTB' is going to look like Toilet Paper Teddy Bear out in the rain.

[SaintPete]

7. I liked it too, lol

I thought it was a call to TP Newt

[wandy]

8. Last weekend the American Mullahs gathered in the Texas holey land and prayed for two days

stright. Smoke from a burning Bush drifted toward Rick Santorum. Santorum was then anointed as the good christan choice for president. In Iowa votes floted down like manna from heven and Santorum prevailed.

Hows that going to play with TPTBs

[musicblind]

9. Well apparently Toilet Paper Teddy Bears do NOT have the power we thought they had.

Gingrich just won SC according to MSNBC.

[SaintPete]

11. "The Powers That Be' have become

"The Powers That Were"

This is freaking terrible for the GOP, and I can't help laughing. This is turning into my favorite primary season in all my 30 years of voting.