It’s Obama, Clinton, and Edwards in South Carolina

You can sometimes tell more about a person’s character when they lose a contest than when they win. Barack Obama has still not offered a word of congratulations to Hillary Clinton for taking Nevada and in fact has continued to deny that he lost there.

In contrast to Obama’s poor sportsmanship and evident frustration over the past several days, Hillary Clinton graciously called Obama this evening to congratulate him for his victory in South Carolina where she placed second and John Edwards placed third. Sen. Clinton later released the following written statement:

"I have called Senator Obama to congratulate him and wish him well.

"Thank you to the people of South Carolina who voted today and welcomed me into their homes over the last year. Your stories will stay with me well beyond this campaign and I am grateful for the support so many of you gave to me.

"We now turn our attention to the millions of Americans who will make their voices heard in Florida and the twenty-two states as well as American Samoa who will vote on February 5th.

"In the days ahead, I'll work to give voice to those who are working harder than ever to be heard. For those who have lost their job or their home or their health care, I will focus on the solutions needed to move this country forward. That's what this election is about. It's about our country, our hopes and dreams. Our families and our future."

As the polls were closing, Sen. Clinton left South Carolina on a flight to Tennessee, one of 24 states holding primaries or caucuses on Feb. 5, when 52 percent of all pledged Democratic delegates and 41 percent of the total Republican Party delegates will be at stake.

The latest national poll average shows Clinton leading Obama by eight points.