Bush's visit serves as reality check for Democrats

CHARLESTON -- South Carolina Democrats, euphoric over the success of the state's presidential primary, are in for a reality check today when President Bush comes calling.

Just two days after the party garnered the most attention in years by holding its first-in-the-South vote, the president will fly into this coastal city to tout his administration's homeland security program -- and to touch base with voters in a state that has given him overwhelming support.

"The president scores very well on leadership issues and the war on terrorism," said Luke Byars, vice chairman of the state Republican Party. "In South Carolina, we like leaders who take a stand."

The presidential visit to the Port of Charleston is official. But there are strong political overtones. Bush last week visited New Hampshire after that state's Democratic primary.

Bill Moore, a political scientist at the College of Charleston, said the president will use the visit "to establish contact with his base and counter the criticism that has dominated the news media" as the Democratic candidates attacked him relentlessly during the primary campaign.

Though Moore said homeland security is a "bread-and-butter issue" for the president, South Carolina's Democratic leaders hope they can keep the state's political focus on the economy and jobs -- issues that voters in Tuesday's high-profile primary told exit pollsters were tops among their concerns.

Thirty-five percent said they were "angry" at the Bush administration.

Party leaders were also cheered that 23 percent of Tuesday's voters described themselves as independents, a group the party must attract if it is to reverse its fortunes in this heavily Republican state.

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SUSAN WALSH
President Bush smiles at the family of Winston Churchill during a ceremony at the Library of Congress for the opening of the exhibit "Churchill and the Great Republic," on Wednesday.

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