Sanders dominated the Democratic primary with as close to a home-court advantage as you can have without actually being from New Hampshire.  There is a solid third of the Republican Party that keep white sheets on hangers instead of in a linen closet.  They catapulted Trump to victory.

Although 8% of the vote is still out, the die is cast solidly enough for the outcomes to allow us to name our winner.  Virtually everyone chose Bernie to defeat Hillary, and a handful of us correctly identified the top five finishers on the GOP side as Trump, Kasich, Cruz, Bush and Rubio.  However, only one person picked Kasich to finish as high as he did, and has the rest in order, with Christie in 6th to boot! For a second straight week, congrats to PDiddie.  The rest of us better step it up, as PDiddie seems to have a disturbingly uncanny insight into the mind of the average voting snacilbupeR.

As to what it all means?  Well, I think we will bid Snarly and Mental Ben adieu.  The Outlaw Jersey Whale is probably slouching towards oblivion as well.  The Rubio Bubble has burst, he will be shoring up for the swing south.  Cruz will remain on hand as the Teavangelical.  Bush is climbing the ranks of the Neocons but suddenly John Kasich – who risked his OH voter registration by relocating to New Hampshire since Labor Day – is now the flavor of the weak.

The campaign trail splits from here with the Democrats heading to caucus in Nevada, where labor usually plays an outsize role.  Bernie has picked up some locals, including the IBEW, but earlier this year Sanders campaign shenanigans ticked off the powerful Culinary Union, who have nevertheless declined to endorse anyone this cycle.  Meanwhile Hillary has the national endorsement of the SEIU, the most powerful labor player in Nevada.

The GOP, on the other hand, heads to South Carolina, cradle of rebellion.  So, obviously, Trump has the advantage.  But as the field narrows, so will his leads.  His support seems to have a top-end.  But he will continue to attack whoever is closest to him, and right now that seems to be Kasich:  listen for the words “Lehman Brothers” to echo about the Palmetto State, yawped by the mouth of a New York Palmetto Bug.

Both the Dem NV Caucus and the GOP SC Primary take place on Saturday, Feb. 20th.  So study up!

~Primo