Let the Games Begin in South Carolina

The first two Republican primary/caucus states have clear favorites: Michele Bachmann in Iowa, which comes first, and then Mitt Romney in New Hampshire. But in South Carolina, which stands third along with Nevada, the race is on to see who comes away with the brass ring, Politico reports.

“It’s wide open, and there’s a big question mark about [Texas Gov. Rick] Perry getting in, among the infrastructure types and the activists,” said Katon Dawson, a former state GOP chairman. Perry appears likely to enter the race soon, positioning himself as a practical conservative alternative to the moderate Romney and tea party-backed Bachmann.

As for South Carolina, polling has been sparse there, no ads have hit the airwaves yet, and campaigns have barely set up staff. But that should change soon – game on in the Palmetto State.