South Carolina wants to laugh with the sinners, cry with the saints

This piece originally appeared in The Guardian. — Ed.

 
I'd rather laugh with the sinners, than cry with the saints.
— Billy Joel, "Only the Good Die Young"

So sing South Carolina Republicans as Newt Gingrich rises like a phoenix, yet again, in the conservative state — with a stunning upset in last night's GOP primary.

While it is uncommon for divorced men to send flowers to an ex-wife, Newt owes the former Mrs. Gingrich a big "thank you" after her strategically timed interview with ABC, intended to ruin his candidacy, backfired. A dozen roses, as well, to CNN debate moderator John King for presenting the opportunity for Newt to take the media to task for leading with the tawdry and intensely private, in a scorching takedown at Thursday night's debate that's been running as a replay loop on television, and becoming an Internet sensation.

South Carolina is a disappointment for Mitt Romney, yet he remains strong, respected, and is considered the favorite (for now) heading into the Florida primary, with the best campaign operation of the field. The biggest loser is Rick Santorum, who, just one week ago, garnered the endorsement of a group of leading evangelicals. Yet, in South Carolina, evangelicals broke for Gingrich over Santorum, 44 percent to 19.

Newt Gingrich severely disappointed many with his attacks on Mitt Romney's success at Bain Capital. It appeared unlikely he could recover from the unsavory negative campaigning that he had heretofore shunned. Then lightning struck, and his fighting spirit and verbal acuity brewed into the perfect storm, providing voters with a glimpse of what Newt might bring to the ring in a general-election match against President Obama.

No matter the barbs, including Santorum's personal attack on the former House Speaker, whom he previously said he might choose as a running mate — it seemed no one could draw blood from Newt. Romney's double-digit lead collapsed as late-deciders overwhelmingly flocked to Gingrich.