By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Jan. 21, 2008 – The primary in Nevada has paved the way for a political showdown in South Carolina.  Nevada’s caucuses were too new and the results too ambiguous to give any Democratic candidates cause to gloat as victor.

 Of course, they both managed to do so anyway.

Sen. Hillary Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) organization got bragging rights for garnering 51 percent of the vote, but she walked away with fewer delegates.  Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) did well with caucus-goers in rural parts of Nevada, and earned a delegate bonus, snatching 13 delegates to Clinton’s 12. This brings his total delegate count to 38 for Obama, compared with 36 for Clinton.
But things will be different in South Carolina.    

Tonight’s debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., will begin a week in the first southern primary state, that by week’s end could answer three important questions: Can Obama get the southern vote?  Who’ll get the Black vote? Will South Carolina native, John Edwards, (N.C.) remain in the race? He is currently in third place among the Democratic candidates with 18 delegates.

Obama needs a victory in South Carolina to show folks he has appeal below the Mason-Dixon line, and he’s got to capture the Black and White vote to make it happen. A victory there is the only way he’ll be able to build the momentum needed for Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, when the delegates of 24 states will be in play. 

Obama isn’t alone, Edwards is trailing in delegates, cash, and the polls.  If he has a lackluster showing in South Carolina, his journey to the White House could come to an abrupt end.

Black folks are sitting in the driver’s seat in South Carolina,  an opportunity for them to determine a pivotal contest in presidential politics – and America is watching.