The shape and narrative of an election is more interesting than polling percentages. From one election to the next, the shape or narrative changes more than all those hard numbers from polls and vote counts, but they do work in tandem. Therefore, get one correct, the outcome can be correctly projected.

So, after the shambles that was the Iowa caucus, it seems the first real measure of things will end up being the New Hampshire primary, which takes place on Feb. 11.

Right now, Bernie is far out in front in all NH polls over the past few days--sometimes by as much as 12 points.

A new Post and Courier Poll in South Carolina has Tulsi at 3% in that state for the first time. To the best of my knowledge, this is a non-qualifying poll.

Tulsi has long struggled in southern states, so I guess her blast at Clinton perked some people up down there!

Tulsi Polls 3% in Texas

The most recent statewide poll in Texas, from University of Texas/Texas Tribune, shows Tulsi polling at 3%. This was a poll of 1,200 people, which indicates that about 36 of those people polled for her. Not too shabby! She was well ahead of Booker, Gillibrand, Klobuchar, and Inslee who polled at 1%, and Yang and Williamson were at 0% in the poll--and she was only a bit behind Harris, who polled at 5%.

The US DoE's Office of Civil Rights yesterday announced that Dorchester County School District Two in South Carolina has entered into a voluntary agreement to stop discriminating against a transgender elementary school student. THE OCR had found that the district was in violation of Title IX's prohibition on sex-based discrimination.

I commend Dorchester County School District Two for committing to protect the civil rights of all students and ensuring that all students have equal access to education programs and activities.

--Catherine E. Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights

The South Carolina legislature steps up to the plate today to take its swing at the transgender piñata. Sen. Lee Bright fell in love with North Carolina's Hate Bill 2 before it was even passed.

Bright, who faces three GOP challengers in June, said he's had enough of tolerance if that means "men who claim to be women" going into a bathroom with children.

Gov. Nikki Haley and state business leaders have called the law totally unnecessary.

Sen. Bright is trying to create a political crisis that doesn't exist to save his political career.

--Ted Pitts, Chamber of Commerce

It's South Carolina, so don't expect a happy ending.

When the boy, who wishes to remain anonymous, began transitioning when he was in middle school, girls complained that there was a boy in their bathroom. So he was allowed to use the boys room. He did that for three years without incident.

Then the boy moved on to Socastee High School. Again, no problem for three years.

One day a male teacher was leaving the boys restroom while the boy was entering.

No word on what the hell the adult teacher was doing in the boys room.

He must’ve looked at his records and saw the sex on his records because that’s the only way he could’ve known.

--the boy's mother

Instead of the teacher being told by the administration to butt out, the boy was called in to the office and told he must use the girls bathroom or go to the nurse's office.

If he started using the girl’s bathroom in 12th grade, it’s going to create a problem. I felt like that would be dangerous.

Back when I lived in Arkansas (1984-2000), I would frequently be told, upon seeing outrageous behavior on the part of one of that state's citizens, "You've got to remember, This is Arkansas." As if that simple statement implied that Arkansans were not subject to the laws of the United States or the societal expectation of Planet Earth.

It frustrated me no end.

It got so I would say

Arkansas is a really beautiful place to live, except for the people who live there.

I imagine people in other places may have similar stories...or perhaps, ones that are in total opposition.

The news spins: