South Carolina’s role in presidential election

With just two weeks to go before Election Day, Barack Obama and John McCain are focusing their attention on states that could go either way. South Carolina does not appear to be one of them, although state Democrats are hoping to surprise everyone.

There’s no question that South Carolina already played a huge role in the race during the primaries. Both won the state, giving them momentum and helping them become the nominees. University of South Carolina political scientist Dr. Blease Graham describes the Palmetto State’s role in the primaries as pivotal, but says it’s now a solidly Republican state for the general election. Neither candidate has campaigned here since the primaries.

“It shows that basically the Obama campaign, I wouldn’t say had written off South Carolina, but it’s the old saying in politics of going where the voters are and where the key swing states are. And it would be a fairly steep climb for Obama actually to win South Carolina,“ he says.

The state Democratic Party is trying to make that climb, in a state that hasn’t gone Democratic for president in the general election since Jimmy Carter. South Carolina Democratic Party chair Carol Fowler says, “We are better placed to do that than at any time since 1976, and we are working hard. You can’t imagine how many folks we have out there knocking on doors, shaking hands and kissing babies.” 

She thinks the state could surprise people and, at the very least, will have a much closer outcome than it has in the past.

The state Republican Party isn’t taking anything for granted. Executive director Jay W. Ragley says, “In South Carolina, we run like we’re always one vote behind. And I think John McCain and Sarah Palin know that the Republican Party in South Carolina’s going to take care of business and deliver those 8 electoral votes for John McCain and Sarah Palin on Tuesday, November 4th.”