Deal Saver - brought to you by the Charlotte Observer

On Thursday, the second of February, it was 70 and stupendous in Charlotte. There won't be a nicer day all year. Those guys killing the ozone layer might really be on to something.

Let's talk for a second about The Race That's Not Official Yet But Wow Would It Be Fun.

So this is how we slide into the South Carolina Republican primary vote: At a rally where they gave out free condoms, someone walked around in a pink pig suit, and a guy held up a sign saying I THOUGHT THERE'D BE PIZZA.

Here is Newt Gingrich in his natural habitat, at a lectern on a stage, reminding you that he knows many things.

Here is Newt Gingrich in his natural habitat, at a lectern on a stage, reminding you that he knows many things.

We start this journey into the S.C. GOP primary in a county that went 74 percent for John McCain in 2008 - the most of anywhere in South Carolina. Of all the Republican places in this Republican state, Pickens County is the Republicanest.

Stephen Colbert is making a mockery of political spending in the 2012 election. This seems to be the only sensible response. Mocking is what's called for.

The only time I check the horoscopes is on my birthday. You figure they've had a whole year to work on it, so if any is ever going to be right, that's the one.

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Tommy Tomlinson
I'm working on new forms of storytelling for the Observer, in the paper and online. Part of that involves gathering stories from readers. I'll be asking you for some of yours on a regular basis. You can see the results on my blog, Tommy's Table.

I've worked for the Observer for 21 years, as a bureau reporter, music writer and columnist. I live in Charlotte with my wife and our often-smelly mutt named Fred.