Editor’s note: Hollis “Chip” Felkel is a native South Carolinian and a 25-year veteran of national politics and policy. He is the CEO of Felkel Group and The RAP Index, a business that identifies key contacts in public affairs. He is co-author of Political Golf. See www.felkelgroup.com or www.politicalgolf.com.

(CNN) — In recent days, the South Carolina Republican primary has been referred to as the Super Bowl, ground zero and even “Armageddon.” This hyperbole has been matched by the outrageous amount of money being spent here on political TV advertising: $11.3 million.

Why? There is a lot at stake in Saturday’s contest, and the campaigns know it. Without a strong finish, candidates will find that cash, supporters and key endorsements dry up. With it, they’ll live to fight another day. Either way, South Carolina Republicans will most likely continue their tradition of picking the candidate who turns out to be the GOP nominee, something they have done since 1980.

Here is a political primer from an actual South Carolinian who is a veteran of many of these battles:

First: Does the South Carolina GOP primary deserve its reputation as a take-no-prisoners, bare-knuckled battleground, like the media keep saying? Yes. Post-New Hampshire, my tweet urged the candidates to “bring their big boy pants.”

Hollis Felkel

We have a long tradition here of hard-hitting attacks, both on the air and below the radar. This year is no different. We don’t just pick a candidate, we pick presidents here in South Carolina. Most of the campaigning is done in 15 GOP-leaning counties, which account for 80% of the vote, with a focus on a “Super Seven” that make up more than 52% of the vote. Those seven pit the Upstate social conservatives against the laissez-faire crowd along the Coast.

In South Carolina, we don’t register by parties; the GOP primary is open to all those who call themselves Republicans. Our voters are a much more diverse group than those in Iowa and New Hampshire. Yes, Christian conservatives dominate the GOP here, but victory in South Carolina means you have successfully appealed to a wide variety of Republican concerns. It means you have the support of fiscal conservatives (Coast and Upstate), social conservatives (Upstate and all around), transplanted retirees (Upstate and Coastal Low Country), business owners (Statewide) and veterans (Midlands and Coast).

Yes, many of us do cling to our Bibles, our guns, and also to our status as a right-to-work state.

We are not big fans of the federal government. (Example: The National Labor Relations Board recently tried to prevent Boeing from building a multibillion-dollar plant in Charleston that would create thousands of jobs because the board’s counsel said Boeing was punishing workers in Washington state for union activity; the NLRB has since dropped the case.) But I would be lying if I said the majority of South Carolina GOP voters are strongly anti-government. Most here think there is a role for the government, but we disagree on just how big it should be.

Like everywhere else, the key issue here is jobs. Yes, social issues matter a lot to voters. Immigration reform matters. Taxes and defense issues matter. But jobs and economic development matter most in 2012. Our 9.9% statewide unemployment puts us ahead of the national average and is partially due to a lack of jobs in rural areas. And yet, other areas are doing fairly well.

Consider that this past week, BMW announced a new $900 million investment that is expected to bring 300 new jobs, for starters, to Spartanburg in the Upstate. Along with the German automaker, we are also home to Michelin, Hitachi, Boeing (no thanks to the NLRB), Milliken and many other manufacturers. We have thousands of small-business owners who take personal and professional risks every single day, creating jobs and opportunities for their families and communities.

It is against this backdrop that close to 400,000 voters will cast their ballots Saturday. Each is really focused on one overriding theme: beating President Obama. They will come from across the GOP spectrum, not just those hard-core ideologues that seem to make the most news.

To give you an example, consider that on Sunday, Mitt Romney secured the endorsement of The Greenville News, in the heart of the social conservatives. Jon Huntsman, before dropping out of the race, received the endorsement of The State, of Columbia. Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich are doing their best to recover from missteps and misstatements, and, well, Ron Paul is Ron Paul.

And of course, Rick Santorum is hoping to somehow capitalize on the support of the faith-based community after a conclave of evangelical leaders in Texas threw their support to him this past weekend. This will be more difficult with Perry and Gingrich still in the race, splitting the evangelical vote.

As for results, barring a major mistake, I think Romney — who is, and has consistently been, running well ahead of his rivals — will be the last man standing here Saturday night. And once again, South Carolina will have done her job.

Call it an occupational hazard, but I can’t look at the Occupy Wall Street
protesters without thinking, “Who parented these people?”

As a culture columnist, I’ve commented on the social and political
ramifications of the “movement” – now known as “OWS” – whose fairyland agenda
can be summarized by one of their placards: “Everything for everybody.”

Thanks to their pipe-dream platform, it’s clear there are people with serious
designs on “transformational” change in America who are using the protesters
like bed springs in a brothel.

Yet it’s not my role as a commentator that prompts my parenting question, but
rather the fact that I’m the mother of four teens and young adults. There are
some crucial life lessons that the protesters’ moms clearly have not passed
along.
Here, then, are five things the OWS protesters’ mothers should have taught
their children but obviously didn’t, so I will:

• Life isn’t fair. The concept of justice – that everyone should be treated
fairly – is a worthy and worthwhile moral imperative on which our nation was
founded. But justice and economic equality are not the same. Or, as Mick Jagger
said, “You can’t always get what you want.”

No matter how you try to “level the playing field,” some people have better
luck, skills, talents or connections that land them in better places. Some seem
to have all the advantages in life but squander them, others play the modest hand
they’re dealt and make up the difference in hard work and perseverance, and
some find jobs on Wall Street and eventually buy houses in the Hamptons . Is it
fair? Stupid question.

• Nothing is “free.” Protesting with signs that seek “free” college degrees and
“free” health care make you look like idiots, because colleges and hospitals
don’t operate on rainbows and sunshine. There is no magic money machine to tap
for your meandering educational careers and “slow paths” to adulthood, and the
53 percent of taxpaying Americans owe you neither a degree nor an annual
physical. While I’m pointing out this obvious fact, here are a few other things that are
not free: overtime for police officers and municipal workers, trash hauling,
repairs to fixtures and property, condoms, Band-Aids and the food that
inexplicably appears on the tables in your makeshift protest kitchens. Real
people with real dollars are underwriting your civic temper tantrum.

• Your word is your bond. When you demonstrate to eliminate student loan debt,
you are advocating precisely the lack of integrity you decry in others. Loans
are made based on solemn promises to repay them. No one forces you to borrow
money; you are free to choose educational pursuits that don’t require loans, or
to seek technical or vocational training that allows you to support yourself
and your ongoing educational goals. Also, for the record, being a college
student is not a state of victimization. It’s a privilege that billions of
young people around the globe would die for – literally.

• A protest is not a party. On Saturday in New York , while making a mad dash
from my cab to the door of my hotel to avoid you, I saw what isn’t evident in
the newsreel footage of your demonstrations: Most of you are doing this only
for attention and fun. Serious people in a sober pursuit of social and
political change don’t dance jigs down Sixth Avenue like attendees of a
Renaissance festival. You look foolish, you smell gross, you are clearly high
and you don’t seem to realize that all around you are people who deem you
irrelevant.

• There are reasons you haven’t found jobs. The truth? Your tattooed necks,
gauged ears, facial piercings and dirty dreadlocks are off-putting.
Nonconformity for the sake of nonconformity isn’t a virtue. Occupy reality:
Only 4 percent of college graduates are out of work. If you are among that 4
percent, find a mirror and face the problem. It’s not them. It’s you.

Several reasons, not the least of which is the economic impact a first in the South” position gives to SC. Just as important, we all know the Florida really isn”t “the South” so how can they even suggest they could actually be “first in the South”. That is just not possible. Third, there has to be some behind the scenes wrangling to push the Florida GOP to do this and risk a loss of delegates to the national convention which is being held, you guessed it, in Tampa.

Somebody out there does not want a loss in SC before the attention comes to Florida? So just who benefits the most from Florida going ahead of SC? Clearly it would be Romney or Huntsman. Both have spent significant time, energy and resources in Fla. In SC, not so much. Frankly, it is a smart strategy from their perspective, and remember that it was our own Lee Atwater was originally orchestrated SC’s position to benefit his own candidate.  That does not mean we have to like it. And it does mean that the SC GOP should fight like crazy to keep our place in the mix. The real question that voters, observers and the media needs to be asking is who is pulling the strings?  Who is pushing the Florida GOP to create such bad will in a year where the party needs to get unified, fast to defeat Obama next fall?

Romney:  “A” -  Looked presidential, stayed above the fray, and for some odd reason, did not get beat up by the others. Amazing that he got that pass, but he is better for it.  He scored points with his business background, and in the way he did not take the bait on some of the jabs thrown his way.

Huntsman: “Gentleman’s C” – I personally liked his demeanor and a lot of what he said, thought he came across as reasonable, thoughtful and seasoned but  he is being graded on his overall presence and performance last night which was not his crowd.  Certainly can’t take away his creds on dealing with China, and he reiterated  his conservative bona fides which were acceptable to a very red meat crowd up until his civil union answer. He did not get a lot of great chances and when he did get a chance he simply did NOT stand out.

Bachman: “B-”:  Only  due to the audience and how she handled herself in the mud-slinging with Pawlenty. If she thinks leading an effort of light bulbs is a sign of gravitas, in the word’s of comedian John Pinette, I say “nay, nay”.  I do agree with others that Iowans are doing the country a disservice if they give her the win at the Ames Straw Poll this week ’cause she can’t win the presidency. I am wholly surprised no one compared her to Obama, no real record of achievement just lots of rhetoric.

Gingrich – C+, He bested expectations, and certainly made some key points on getting things done in a divided government. His testiness with Chris Wallace was a plus, but while his message is good, the messenger is flawed. He will get some unexpected support in Ames but his long-term prospects look dim.

Pawlenty: “C” – His back and forth with Bachman diminished his status to me, though he certainly laid out his record as a conservative governor, which was then challenged by his fellow Minnesotan. He has not caught fire and tomorrow’s straw poll, unfortunately could be his Waterloo in terms of credibility with donors.  Good message, but no charisma perhaps?

Cain: “C-” – Did little to keep him from returning to radio. Yes, he and Romney are the “business-experienced” candidates but he had to spend far too much time clarifying prior comments, than actually scoring points with the audience.

Paul:  “B” – Again, let me reiterate this is a grade on last night. The audience responded well to him, and will reward him with a strong showing in the straw poll.  If there was ever any doubt that his views are out to the mainstream, he certainly clarified it last night.

Santorum: “C-” – Frankly, he should ask for a refund. Few opportunities to speak were given to him and yet, when he did get to talk, he wasted his shots.  Okay, so we get it, you are The Moral candidate.  The issues in 2012 are jobs, jobs, jobs.

Conclusion:  Rick Perry will enter the race tomorrow, and it becomes a Romney – Perry-Bachman inthe top-tier immediately.  Perry can raise money, has a national presence, and takes votes from Bachman and Pawlenty off the top, and then from Gingrich, Cain, and Santorum (if there are really any to take right now).  Paul’s voters are the most committed of any and will remain so.   Your comments and feedback are sought and appreciated here on The FRONT PORCH….

Several articles in the last week on Gov. Nikki Haley. One in The State, one in the NY Times and one on Politico. All drew a lot of commentary.  There were some predictable “over the top” remarks, and reactions by some who saw the NY Times piece as a puff job ( it was but Haley’s team ought to be commended for getting it) and the Politico story which was probably more on point on where things stand for the governor in her freshman year. She’s not Sanford, thankfully. But her first battles with the General Assembly have shown some cracks in the armor with losing Tea Party confidence on some issues, and legislative backing on others. Time will tell.  I personally think she has potential on a lot of fronts and good talent on board in some key spots especially with Walker, Pitts and Haltiwanger. Maturity will, hopefully, help with the others.

The GOP Presidential primary race is pretty muddy to me.  Romney is still the man to beat. Name wise and money wise. Bachman is getting a lot of curious looks, at least for now. Gov. Perry may still get in, and that would undercut Bachman and Cain and others. Saw a great piece on Tim Pawlenty @ www.fivethirtyeight.com that likens him to RC Cola. Interesting read.  Huntsman to be in SC July 11th for a GOP event in the Upstate, be a good clue as to his capability to draw a big crowd in a very conservative venue. I still don’t think the party has found someone who enough of the activists can get excited about, who can actually then appeal in a general election. It is a pity because Obama is vulnerable and getting more so.

The Redistricting battle does affect you!  Not only in terms of your congressional seat, but on who reps you in Columbia. Lots of horse trading going on regarding Upstate House and Senate lines.  Now in fact, it is likely that the final lines will be determined by a three judge panel if the House and Senate can’t agree, but in at least one version, I am told that here in the Five Forks area of Greenville County, we have been redrawn into Spartanburg County Sen. Lee Bright’s district and out of Sen.  Shoopman’s.

Sen. Jim DeMint has a new book out called ” The Great Awakening” .  According to reports, Sen. DeMint defends the importance of the  history of the US Senate,  as an honored and venerable institution,  whose traditions are to be respected,  recognizing that compromise on major issues is and has been a part of the US Senate process to actually get big things done in Washington.  Well, maybe that is not exactly what the book is about but you will have to read to be sure.

Clyburn: Racism to blame for Obama’s problems – Local / Metro – TheState.com.

And in other news, my water bill is going to be nice.

About the only thing I can or do watch on MSNBC these days is Morning Joe, which I watch regularly. Nice discussion, great guest, good variety.  They had Andrew Roberts author of new book on WW II the “The Storm of War” on today, which takes a detailed look at Hitler and what drove him.

Trump is out, thank God.

Obama has gotten the expected bump from OBL’s death, but once again has shown his team just doesn’t get it in the way they celebrated.

Huckabee is out, and is a very popular guy right now with those still in or thinking about it.

Huntsman and Romney – who would have ever thought we might have a discussion on a split in the Mormon vote.

Kudos to Sen. Graham, and to Congressman Clyburn and Congressman Scott for their efforts in getting the needed funding for a study on the much needed expansion of the Port of Charleston. If Sen. DeMint helped, good for him as well. I don’t care what you call it (earmark, merit based, logical move), just glad we are heading in the right direction.

Arnold, I am embarrassed for you and truly sad for your family. You are a big dissappointment to a lot of us.

Glad to see SC Gov. Haley squelched the vp talk. Much too soon for that.

And lastly, has the Palmetto State’s run of the eventual GOP nominee winning in SC about to come to a close. It appears that might be the case given the GOP field as it stands…