A possible shakeup to the Democratic presidential nominating course of may give South Carolina a uncommon probability to maneuver up the celebration’s main calendar and increase its standing with future White Home candidates.
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However first, the state’s Democratic leaders need to be sure it doesn’t drop out of the group of early main states altogether.
Prime South Carolina Democrats say that they’re taking nothing as a right forward of a key Democratic Nationwide Committee assembly this month, one that can assess whether or not the celebration’s a lot scrutinized presidential main schedule requires vital adjustments — together with the opportunity of outright eradicating some states’ early standing.
Guaranteeing South Carolina’s place as one of many first 4 or 5 nominating contests is the primary and solely precedence, they are saying, particularly amid an inflow of states making an attempt to extend their affect within the presidential nomination course of by claiming a spot on the early calendar.
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“There’s no presumption of success or no presumption of failure on our half,” stated Trav Robertson, chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Celebration. “We expect we’ve a fantastic story to inform, and we expect our [2020 primary] election went off flawlessly.”
Robertson declined to say whether or not the state would attempt to transfer up the first calendar, saying it will be “extraordinarily presumptuous” and “downright impolite” to start jockeying for place earlier than the DNC’s Guidelines and Bylaws Committee begins assembly June twenty second in Washington, D.C.
Throughout that assembly, Democratic officers from states making use of to be a part of the early nominating contests will give displays to committee members, outlining the explanations they deserve inclusion.
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The committee will then make its advice concerning the new main calendar in August, earlier than the complete DNC considers its proposal in September.
“The actual fact is different states are going to make a giant play for this, and we’ve to place our greatest foot ahead,” stated Carol Fowler, a DNC member from South Carolina who serves on the Guidelines and Bylaws Committee. “Now we have to remind individuals of why South Carolina is an effective alternative.”
The Guidelines and Bylaws committee voted earlier this yr to evaluation its nomination course of and take into account including a fifth early state to the first, a rise of 1 from the same old 4 states allowed to carry their nominating contests earlier than all different states. (DNC officers emphasize that the committee may nonetheless select to maintain the checklist of early states to only 4.)
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Two fellow Southern states, Georgia and Texas, have utilized to be included among the many chosen group of early contests, in keeping with DNC officers. If both is chosen by the committee, they might probably threaten South Carolina’s place on the calendar, particularly if members resolve just one Southern state must be allowed to go early.
“I believe we’ve a superb shot at it,” Fowler stated. “However it’s not by any means a carried out deal. I don’t assume anybody’s place is a carried out deal.”
HISTORY
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However impartial observers take into account such a situation unlikely, citing the state’s penchant in latest election cycles for choosing the celebration’s eventual nominee and its massively influential position within the 2020 presidential main.
Then-candidate Joe Biden revived his flagging candidacy with a commanding win within the state, ending first after a dismal fourth- and fifth-place exhibiting in Iowa and New Hampshire, respectively. (He completed a distant second to Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in Nevada.)
The victory persuaded a handful of opponents, together with Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, to exit the race and endorse his candidacy, setting the stage for a sweep of wins throughout the next Tremendous Tuesday that successfully made him an uncatchable front-runner within the race.
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The state’s Democratic voters additionally backed Hillary Clinton in 2016 over Sanders and Barack Obama over Clinton in 2008, key victories that helped finally propel each candidates to the celebration’s presidential nomination.
“There’s a vital story to inform,” Robertson stated. “Plus, South Carolina has been very profitable in not solely figuring out the eventual nominee, however the president of america of America over the last a number of nominating processes.”
Even prime DNC officers concerned within the choice course of readily concede the state’s observe report, and the best way it managed its main 4 years in the past, is spectacular.
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“I’d say that within the Guidelines and Bylaws Committee, and within the DNC usually, there’s plenty of good feeling about how South Carolina carried out its course of 4 years in the past,” stated Jim Roosevelt, a DNC member from Massachusetts and co-chair of the RBC. “Numerous feeling that it’s a consultant state of an essential area and an essential mixture of demographics.”
IOWA
Hypothesis has as a substitute targeted on Iowa, whose caucuses in 2020 — marked by lengthy reporting delays and technological breakdowns — had been extensively thought-about a catastrophe.
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The RBC has carried out a sequence of listening classes this yr concerning the early states included within the nominating course of, and members acknowledge that many who’ve spoken to the committee have targeted their feedback concerning the state that historically goes first within the presidential main.
“A good quantity of people that come ahead to us need to speak concerning the position of Iowa,” Roosevelt stated. “We’re wanting on the entire and Iowa is simply a part of it.”
Roosevelt and different DNC members emphasize that they nonetheless haven’t decided about whether or not Iowa or any state will retain its place. And even when the DNC did take away the state, it will nonetheless want to find out the brand new calendar for the nominating course of — one thing Fowler says the committee has not but even begun to think about.
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“It’s nonetheless unclear to me how a lot the members of the Guidelines and Bylaws Committee need to shake up the entire course of,” Fowler stated. “That’s the reason all people nonetheless doesn’t have a notion whether or not the order of the states goes to alter, as a result of that has not been a spotlight of the dialogue.”
Nonetheless, if Iowa does lose its place, it may set off a brand new order of states. And South Carolina Democrats concede that if given the possibility to maneuver up within the course of, the state may not go up the chance.
“There’s going to be some shuffling round of match the states into the month of February,” Fowler stated. “And I’m sure that if a state wanted to go sooner than it has previously, South Carolina would eagerly volunteer.”
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Alex Roarty has written concerning the Democratic Celebration since becoming a member of McClatchy in 2017. He’s been a campaigns reporter in Washington since 2010, after protecting politics and state authorities in Pennsylvania throughout former Gov. Ed Rendell’s second time period.
Around the GamecockScoop headquarters, we’re still all chasing publisher Caleb Alexander. Caleb leads all in the straight up picks and against the spread. Against the spread, Caleb is beating a lot of the experts. (Still need to remind everyone this for fun and not meant to be gambling advice).
Nationally, its a pretty quiet week before college football enters what conference realignment has left intact of rivalry week. There are still three top-25 matchups this weekend with a handful of other games that could impact the playoffs. It should be a good week for Gamecock fans too enjoy some college football with their feet up, assuming the Terriers play along.
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This week’s guest picker is another specialist, former walk-on Thomas Hooper. Hooper was a member of the Garnet and Black from 2004-2007. He was 3-for-3 in his career on extra points, adding PATs after some memorable Gamecock touchdowns. In 2004, he converted the point after following a 65-yard TroyWilliamson touchdown and a 57-yard Ko Simpson pick-6, both against UGA. Hooper then connected on an EXP after an 88-yard Bobby Wallace TD run against Middle Tennessee State in 2006. Hooper and his family live in greater Montgomery, AL area today.
#5 Indiana (10-0) +13.5 @ #2 Ohio State (9-1): 12:00 on FOX
The Buckeyes will be playing in their fifth-of-six straight noon kickoffs to end the 2024 regular season. Why is this game not in primetime? What happens to Indiana if Ohio State win this game by 24+ points? Do the Hoosiers still make the playoff with a paper-thin resume? They can’t play for the Big Ten title if they lose in the Shoe on Saturday. If Indiana wins they are in the Big Ten title game even if they somehow stumble to lowly Purdue. Ohio State gets in the Big Ten title game by winning out by beating Indiana and Michigan or by beating Indiana and having Penn State lose one of their final two games. Ohio State is 79-12-5 against Indiana all-time. Ronald Reagan was president the last time the Hoosiers beat Ohio State. (1988). OSU has won 29-in-a-row in this series.
#9 Ole Miss (8-2) -10.5 @ Florida (5-5): 12:00 on ABC
This is game the Rebels need to take seriously. Florida is playing much better football over the last month. They aren’t as good as Ole Miss but playing in the Swamp is always difficult. The Rebels are in a great spot at #9 in playoff rankings. If they take care of business against the Gators and next week verses rival Mississippi State, they are likely missing the SEC Championship Game and sitting at 10-2 waiting to see what Big Ten location they are traveling to play. Ole Miss path to Atlanta is unlikely: the Rebs needs to win out plus have Alabama lose one more game, Vanderbilt beat Tennessee, and Texas A&M lose out. That would give Texas the No. 1 seed and create only a two-way tie for second place between Georgia and Ole Miss in which the Rebels would get the No. 2 seed as a result of their head-to-head victory. If it’s a three-way tie for second with Georgia, Tennessee and Ole Miss, Georgia would get the nod.
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In case you were wondering: former Gamecock Pup Howard currently has 37 total tackles with one sack, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries for Florida.
#13 SMU (9-1) -9.5 @ Virginia (5-5): 12:00 on ESPN2
Let’s take a peak at the ACC Championship scenarios for SMU:
Clemson, Miami and SMU are the only three teams still remaining.
Clemson finished its ACC schedule at 7-1 in league play, while both Miami (vs. Wake Forest, at Syracuse) and SMU (at Virginia, vs. California) each have two remaining conference games. If both the Hurricanes and Mustangs win out, they will face off in the ACC Championship. That’s also the case if SMU only drops one of its final two games. Clemson will be on the outside looking in with one exception if the following happens:
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Virginia beats SMU and Virginia Tech and Pitt beat Louisville. Due to the record of conference opponents: Clemson would get nod. I think.
Sam Houston (8-2) +6 @ Jacksonville State (7-3): 12:00 on CBSSN
The Conference USA schedule makers need to placed in charge of all college football scheduling. Why? There are four schools still left in the hunt for the CUSA title game and they all play each the final two weeks of the season. Western Kentucky and Liberty meet in VA this weekend and Sam Houston heads to Jacksonville State. Next weekend Jax St plays at WKU and Liberty goes to SHSU. Will it matter in terms of the playoff? No. Every team in the CUSA has at least two losses overall. Boise State, Tulane, Memphis, Army and Louisiana are all ahead of the winner of this game.
Charleston Southern (1-10) +33.5 @ Florida State (1-9): 1:30 streaming on ESPN+
No one on the planet imagined FSU vs CSU would be the Week 14 Toilet Bowl, but here we are.
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Mike Norvell has gone from King of the Hill to….whatever is at the bottom of the hill. The Seminoles have had an epic meltdown. At the end of 2023, FSU was huffing and puffing at the ACC and demanding a higher payout for the schools that won more games. That chatter has quickly quieted down, leaving only Clemson debating if they should still push for more than they deserve.
CSU is one of the worst programs in the FCS and doesn’t stand much of a chance to win this game. However, they have the opportunity to make one lasting impression during a televised matchup. This will be four straight seasons with a losing record for the Buccaneers.
#4 Penn State (9-1) -12 @ Minnesota (6-4): 3:30 on CBS
Penn State is in a great position right now despite their best win being over 7-3 Illinois. All they have to do is beat Minnesota and Maryland and they are not only in the playoff, but they get to host a first-round game. They aren’t going to the Big Ten title game unless Ohio State beats Indiana and loses to Michigan and the Nittany Lions win out. Penn State might be in the best position of any at-large team with a strength of schedule at #32. If Penn State loses to either Minnesota or Maryland – they shouldn’t receive a bid.
#14 BYU (9-1) +3.5 @ #21 Arizona State (8-2): 3:30 on ESPN
The Big XII still has nine schools mathematically alive for their conference title game but BYU and Arizona State, along with Colorado, all control their own destiny. (Upset alert -part II, Colorado is only a -2.5 road favorite against Kansas. Remember the Jayhawks just knocked off BYU last week). Iowa State can advance to the Big XII game if they win out and BYU and Colorado both lose another game. BYU secures their spot with a win plus a Utah win (Utah hosts Iowa State). Colorado secures their spot with a win and wins by both Utah and BYU. The Sun Devils have won three-in-a-row. BYU has looked sluggish in their last two games.
Wofford (5-6) +42.5 @ #18 South Carolina (7-3): 4:00 streaming on SEC+
Gone are the days of the dreaded Wofford triple-option and chop blocks the week before the Clemson game. South Carolina has played Wofford twice before the Palmetto Bowl, in 2012 and 2017. The Gamecocks are 1-1 against Clemson after playing the Terriers the week before. Basketball is heating up and the football regular season is winding down, check back at GamecockScoop daily for the best Gamecock coverage on Al Gore’s internet.
#19 Army (9-0) +14 vs. #6 Notre Dame (9-1) (Yankee Stadium): 7:00 on NBC
Notre Dame has played on two opponents home field this season. The last such occasion was September 14 at one-win Purdue. To be fair, Georgia Tech wanted to move their game to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to capitalize on a larger gate. As it stands now, the Irish are in the playoff as long as they don’t stumble to either Army or Southern Cal on the road. With a win in the Bronx, Army will leapfrog Boise State as the highest ranked Group of Five conference champion. Army is also already locked into the American title game and will play Tulane. The location of that game will be determined after Army hosts UTSA next weekend.
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#7 Alabama (8-2) -14 @ Oklahoma (5-5): 7:30 on ESPN
Alabama is probably going to the SEC Championship yet again if they win. They will be a multi-score favorite at home against Auburn next week. If the Tide win out they are 99% going to Atlanta. That number goes to 100% if Missouri beats Mississippi State this weekend and the Tide win their last two. Bama would win all multi-team tiebreakers due to conference opponent strength of record. Opposing the Tide is likely to be either Texas or Texas A&M, although watch out this weekend as the Aggies are only a -2.5 favorite against 4-6 Auburn. Vegas smells an upset. Brent Venables is going to get an early look at the portal with Bama and at LSU left on the Sooners schedule.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Omar Croskey scored 20 points as South Carolina State beat Alabama A&M 82-70 on Friday night.
Croskey went 7 of 12 from the field (6 for 9 from 3-point range) for the Bulldogs (3-3). Davion Everett scored 12 points while finishing 5 of 6 from the floor and added five rebounds.
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The Bulldogs (3-3) were led in scoring by Anthony Bryant and Chad Moodie with 16 points apiece. Lorenzo Downey had 14 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Sophia Boman and Sophia Romine scored in the second half to lift the Gophers to a 2-1 victory over South Carolina in the second round of the NCAA women’s soccer tournament on Friday in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Gophers (14-4-3) advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament for only the third time in program history and the first time since 2010. On Sunday, the Gophers will play the winner of North Carolina/Santa Clara, who played later Friday.
South Carolina, in the NCAA tournament for the 12th consecutive season, took a 1-0 lead on Katie Shea’s goal in the eighth minute.
Boman’s eighth goal of the season, coming on a penalty kick in the 56th minute, tied the match. Fellow graduate student Romine gave the Gophers the lead 13 minutes later, scoring on a shot from nearly 30 yards out on her fifth goal of 2024.
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In the Gophers’ 2-0 victory over South Dakota State in the first round on Nov. 15, Boman scored both goals in the second half, one on a penalty kick.
Gophers sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Martin made one save as the Gophers had an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal.
South Carolina defeated East Carolina 6-0 in the first round.