Politics & Government

Is He Nuts? S.C. Squirrel Predicts Romney Win

Gnocchi the Squirrel says it will be President Mitt Romney after November election.

SUMMERVILLE — Gnocchi the Squirrel voted Tuesday for U.S. President, and has selected former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the winner.

The precocious squirrel with a penchant for Coca-Cola has a 2-0 record for selecting political winners: he selected Sen. John McCain as the winner of the S.C. presidential GOP primary in 2008, and selected then-Sen. Barack Obama as the winner of the 2008 presidential election. 

Like many of the undecided voters across the nation, Gnocchi took his time selecting his prediction Tuesday. In all, it took about 20 minutes.

Find out what's happening in Summervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

His owner Serena Ash set up two bowls of walnuts, each with a picture of the presidential contender. Whichever bowl he ate the most nuts out of was the winner.

"It was kind of like a tie for a while," Ash said. "Finally there was one nut left in Mitt Romney's and five left in Obama's bowl."

Find out what's happening in Summervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ash added that the pick surprised some but most felt that the squirrel must know.

"The people who were here were saying, 'I really thought Obama is going to win,' but they really felt Gnocchi knows," Ash said. "He's not psychic or anything but God just designed him that way ... He seems to have a sense for things, all animals do."

Gnocchi is a South Carolina gray squirrel. He was found by Ash's husband  outside of an Italian restaurant. The young squirrel was a couple weeks old. The couple took him home and got him healthy. Gnocchi's day job is much less political than his side job as a political oracle. He is also the shop mascot for Area 51 Bicycle Shop on Dorchester Road.

Ash said she hopes Gnocchi inspires people to vote.

"Squirrels can vote, people need to vote too," Ash said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Summerville