It’s time to go home. But we’re not running from Hilton Head Island. Oddly leaving this magical subtropical vista feels more like closing the door on a family cottage; a place we’re only leaving behind temporarily. After having come and gone numerous times over the cross-island bridge in the past decade we have begun to blend with this barrier island just as it has insinuated our veins.

What however lingers more importantly than our inner sensibilities no matter where we park the car or hang our hat or choose to spend our alternate time is the inescapable circumstance and consequence of the upcoming American presidential election. It is a matter of international almost biblical concern among both young and old throughout the world, a critical and epic decision point between the polarities of democracy and autocracy, community and racism, liberalism and conservatism, modernism and colonialism, lower class and upper class, inclusivity and exclusivity, globalism and isolationism, leftist and rightist, diversity and uniformity. And in the minds of many it highlights a succinct and disturbing collision between decency and immorality, veracity and mendacity. There is literally no one on this planet with whom I have lately spoken, whether man or woman, Canadian or American, residents here or afar, Europe or the South Pacific, who does not bolt at the subject of American politics and who does not adopt the the assumption of utter propriety and superiority to the those on the other side of the aisle. Even as I write these words the South Carolina primary election illustrates the adversity which exists not only among Republicans and Democrats but strategically within the Republican Party itself. Many are already viewing the upcoming presidential election next November as the bellwether of American society in general and the Republican Party in particular.  Some predict the downfall of the Republican Party as it has been known for the past century; while others see the outcome as signalling the beginning of a new and more nutritious social contract. It has distinctly the flavour of a white knuckle ride; and, Hang onto your Hat!

Standing back in South Carolina from either the personal or public perspective awakens another notable element of equal persuasion and perhaps more intellectual context; namely, that one’s instinctive motivations are what characterize one’s thoughts. Depending on how you view the outcome, the image may be a small compliment.

Meanwhile Steve Kornacki of MSNBC just reported that Nikki Haley is leading the District of Hilton Head Island. She is staying in the race for the Republican nomination though it is certain it is too late for her to surpass Trump. It is however unclear what her promise means to Democrats. The speculation is the sun has not yet set upon that distant territory.

Stephan Joseph Kornacki (born August 22, 1979) is an American political journalist, writer, and television presenter. Kornacki is a national political correspondent for NBC News. He has written articles for Salon, The New York Observer, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, The Boston Globe, and The Daily Beast. Kornacki is the multimedia anchor and data analyst for much of MSNBC’s The Place for Politics campaign coverage, which airs during Election Day in the United States since 2016.