Democrats cautiously elated by turnout

One could excuse S.C. Democrats for pumping their fists in celebration a day after an unexpectedly high turnout in Tuesday’s presidential primary.

Instead, their leader seemed to pull his punches.

Party chairman Joe Erwin wore a wide, relieved smile as he promised Wednesday to turn their February success into November votes for Democrats — most notably U.S. Senate candidate Inez Tenenbaum.

But, asked whether the turnout means Republicans should be concerned, Erwin hesitated instead of pouncing on the softball question.

“I think so,” he said after a beat. “They might want to be just a little bit nervous. They’ve still got the numbers, but, you know, we’re gaining.”

That’s a departure from the rhetoric of Erwin’s predecessor, Dick Harpootlian, who reveled in jousting with Republicans, even when the GOP got the upper hand in elections.

S.C. Democrats exceeded their own expectations in Tuesday’s primary, turning out almost 300,000 voters, a quarter of whom were independents.

But Republicans still dominate South Carolina politics, and it remains to be seen whether Democrats can turn Tuesday’s success into substance in November.

Erwin avoided making strident proclamations about the party’s plans to return to power. Instead, he acknowledged that Republicans still hold more elected offices.

Indeed, almost twice as many voters cast ballots in the S.C. GOP’s 2000 presidential primary, and Republicans hold seven of nine statewide offices.

Republicans attempted to spin the results as a failure.

“Democrats couldn’t muster even half the voters we had four years ago,” state Republican Party chairman Katon Dawson said. “The real story here is how bad this news is for Inez Tenenbaum. I am more confident today than I have ever been that Republicans will win big this November.”

Erwin said that to keep up, the Democratic Party must build on the success in the primary and use the enthusiasm to elect more officials.

But, instead of arguing with the Republicans about turnout, Erwin said voters “remain free to vote for Republicans. We respect that as a Democratic Party in South Carolina.”

Winthrop University political scientist Scott Huffmon said Democrats need to examine Tuesday’s results, find out what drew people to the polls and then repeat it.

“If the South Carolina Democratic Party can capitalize on the dissatisfaction with Bush among independents and energize the African-American community to participate, it could bring them back,” he said.

Democrats emerged from the primary with 5,000 volunteers, experience raising money and — most important — a list of voters that includes independents who are interested in Democratic candidates.

Over the next year, primary voters will get mail and phone calls asking them to give money or support the party’s candidates.

Huffmon said the party will have to keep up the populist, anti-Bush message U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina used to energize independent voters and win the S.C. primary.

Erwin vowed to find competitive candidates to run for all offices, even county-level races that don’t get as much attention.

“We stand ready to compete anywhere and everywhere. We are intent on building this organization with passion and enthusiasm and electing men and women who share our enthusiasm as Democrats.”

Reach Talhelm at (803) 771-8339 or jtalhelm@thestate.com