| GOP urged to back Sharpton COLUMBIA - A conservative radio program airing in South Carolina's Republican-heavy Upstate region has airwaves buzzing with talk about a matchup between President Bush and a flamboyant black preacher from New York. Whether a wacky stunt or a sincere endorsement for presidential candidate Al Sharpton, the morning drive-time show on WORD-AM has called on its GOP listeners to exercise their right to vote in the state's first-in-the-South Democratic primary. "We just happen to be very excited about the Rev. Al Sharpton," said WORD's program director, Peter Thiele. "I think of all the candidates who would be the most fun running against 'W' - he is the Rev. Al." The Democrats' Feb. 3 contest is open to all voters regardless of party affiliation, presenting the opportunity for political mischief. That's what some Democrats attempted in 2000, abandoning party ties briefly to support Sen. John McCain in the hopes of beating Mr. Bush in the state's Republican primary. South Carolina will be a critical race after Iowa and New Hampshire kick off the nominating season next month. Republicans and conservative-minded independents could help swing the momentum to a weaker candidate in attempt to ensure a Bush win. Former state Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian brushes off any questions about Republicans crashing his party's primary with any success. Even though some WORD listeners have complained, Mr. Thiele hopes his station's show will boost the Rev. Sharpton's chances. Besides the daily banter on the air, the program raised $30 for the Rev. Sharpton's campaign by letting listeners pet a donkey for a small fee. "Republicans would like for Al to embarrass the Democratic Party and keep the race contentious and contested," said Kevin Gray, a former state strategist for the Rev. Sharpton. If it's a close race, crossover voters could make a difference, said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato, who specializes in presidential and Southern politics. With no overwhelming leader in South Carolina polls, Republicans could struggle to organize enough support for one Democratic candidate. "I don't know who they'd vote for or who they'd do mischief with if they voted," Mr. Harpootlian said. "I'd welcome any person who wants to vote in the Democratic primary - come on. They're going to get a chance to help pick the next president of the United States." Such rumors aren't new because South Carolina, like some other states, doesn't require voters to register with a party affiliation, but the possibility of crossover voting has a renewed importance because the state's Democratic primary has a higher profile than in years past. Todd Lewis' strategy is to rally his fellow Republican friends to vote for Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor who has been criticized by his rivals of running a campaign doomed to fail against Mr. Bush. That's just what Mr. Lewis wants. If a liberal New Englander's name is on the general election ticket next year, "It will hand the entire South to George Bush," said Mr. Lewis, a 31-year-old medical services salesman from Columbia.
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