Thompson will be actually or figuratively gone.
That leaves Romney, McCain and Rudy. The playing field is tipped in
McCain and Rudy's favor on issues -- the economy and defense -- and
away from a key issue Romney has tried to use against these two
--immigration. (Romney also will be squeezed by Huckabee in the
search for social conservative votes.) Huckabee will have a shot at
the state only because he has a base of value voters in the
Panhandle and the I-4 corridor. Without Thompson nipping at
Huckabee's heels he might secure 25% or so of the electorate. All
that said, McCain will get a bump from SC and his poll numbers will
rise, fueling his claims of inevitability and electability. He'll
be the favorite and the target. Rudy will have to knock him down to
size to stay in the race. Thursday's debate should be very
interesting.
topics:
Immigration
