The GOP Reshuffle of the Early Primary Calendar is Designed to Stop Romney and Giuliani and Help Thompson

    It's been reported everywhere that South Carolina Republicans have moved their primary to Jan. 19, which will likely force Iowa to vote on January 5 and New Hampshire on January 12.
    What's been less reported is that the move is intended to boost Fred Thompson at Rudy Giuliani's and Mitt Romney's expense, since Thompson is already virtually out of the running in the first two states and will need to post a good showing somewhere before Florida votes on January 29.
    But what if Newt Gingrich gets into the race? He divides the vote further and he's also a neighbor, like Thompson. Thus, the move may backfire. In any event, South Carolina now looms as a key test for the GOP and is likely to eliminate at least one of the major contenders from contention, if not more.