COLUMBIA - U.S. Sen. John McCain's Straight Talk campaign is returning
to South Carolina.
The Arizona Republican's upcoming visit is his first trip to the
Palmetto State as a potential presidential candidate since his devastating
loss in the 2000 GOP primary to then-Gov. George Bush.
On Nov. 20, McCain is scheduled to attend two events in Columbia, a
book-signing and a military ceremony, before traveling to Charleston for
an evening fundraiser for Attorney General Henry McMaster. Gov. Mark
Sanford and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who supported McCain in 2000, are
expected to attend.
Like other potential 2008 contenders, McCain comes under seemingly
non-political auspices, but the meaning is unmistakable.
"He needs to see how much support he's got, and people are looking him
over to see if he can do it," said Merle Black, a political expert at
Emory University. "It looks like he's trying to get the team together
again, and this time there won't be a Bush in the primary."
McCain's trip will be the 20th visit made by aspiring Republicans and
Democrats to South Carolina since the beginning of the year. The state's
early primary status makes it a must-win stop on the road to the White
House.
But McCain's visit might be the most anticipated of any presidential
hopeful.
The Bush-McCain battle from 2000 sowed deep lines in the state's GOP
base that still exist today. The Bush camp won and took control of the
party. But now with the president's support waning, many political
observers say the ground is ripe for another McCain campaign.
"We're delighted to have him down here," said McMaster, a longtime
McCain supporter. "Many politicians lose an election before they win
one."
A recent statewide poll by Richard Quinn and Associates, a
Columbia-based
Republican consulting firm, showed McCain dominating among GOP
presidential contenders with a 65 percent favorable rating.
Only former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani came close.
"McCain still has friends in South Carolina," said Richard Quinn, who
helped engineer the senator's 2000 campaign.
McCain, who is revered for occasionally bucking the party line, quietly
revived his Straight Talk America political action committee this summer,
a move that is seen as a precursor to a White House bid.
The senator said he wouldn't decide whether to run until after his
re-election next year, but he's currently traveling the country promoting
his new book, "Character is Destiny."
Voters can expect to see more of McCain in coming months.
He recently endorsed former state Rep. Rick Quinn, son of Richard
Quinn, in the 2006 race for state treasurer, and likely will appear with
his South Carolina political allies on the campaign trail.
Contact John Frank at (803) 799-9051 or jbfrank@postandcourier.com.