The Brody File doesn't have to say it. I'll let Barack Obama explain the importance of this Saturday's South Carolina primary. See his comments below as reported by The Chicago Tribune:
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Sunday that South Carolina's primary will be "absolutely critical" to his campaign and was quick to point out that he won the majority of Nevada's Democratic delegates.
In a radio interview with the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Chicago station WVON-AM, the Illinois senator said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton edged him out in the popular vote in Nevada's caucuses because she did well in Las Vegas and the rest of Clark County, the state's most densely populated area. By contrast, Obama said, he did well throughout Nevada.
He said immigration, education and the economy will be important issues in South Carolina, which holds its Democratic primary Saturday.
"We think we're moving in the right direction, but we've got a lot of work to do. South Carolina, obviously, is going to be absolutely critical to our success," Obama said.
Black voters are expected to play a critical role in South Carolina. In the radio interview, Obama called for federal intervention and investment to address racial inequalities.
"Racial reconciliation doesn't occur just by being nice to each other," he said. "We have to address the deep-seated and long-lasting legacy of slavery and Jim Crow. You see it in South Carolina. You see the inequality in schools. You see the inequality in health care. And unless the federal government steps in and makes a serious commitment, we're going to see the same kinds of unequal outcomes that we've been seeing for so many years."
More here.
I'm on the ground in South Carolina to report on Saturday's primary. I'm in Myrtle Beach because the Democrats debate here Monday night.
Bottom line: can Hillary Clinton make inroads with African-American female undecided voters. That will be important.
Comments?