BY CLAY BARBOUR
Of The Post and Courier Staff
COLUMBIA--An impressive collection of the state's GOP elite gathered Monday to announce the South Carolina kick-off of President George Bush's re-election campaign.
Held at Columbia's Clarion Town House Hotel, the meeting featured U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Gov. Mark Sanford and Speaker of the House David Wilkins.
While few doubt the president's ability to carry the Palmetto State next year, the message from those gathered was clear: no lonely victories.
"The way he runs in this state will determine whether or not we'll get another United States senator," Graham said.
"The way he runs in this state will determine whether or not there will be more people to help David Wilkins in the Statehouse, whether or not we will draw a majority in the state Senate," he said.
Monday's kickoff was filled with typical fervor for the candidate as campaign officials announced their goal of building and supporting an extensive grassroots organization, meant to ensure the president's success in 2004. Bush took 57 percent of the state's vote in 2000.
That year, he survived a contentious primary fight with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Next year looks to be smooth sailing for the president, who should take the state with little effort.
Still, GOP leaders don't want to take anything for granted. And they are all aware that as goes Bush, so goes the party.
"The stronger the president runs, the stronger the party runs," said Wilkins, chairman of the Bush/Cheney '04 steering committee.
This has become especially important, given the impending retirement of U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings. Republicans have long coveted his seat.
Standing in their way is Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, the state education superintendent. Tenenbaum has mounted a strong campaign for the U.S. Senate and has the name recognition to seriously threaten any GOP opponent.
The issue has led some GOP insiders to solicit the help of former Gov. David Beasley, who lost the 1998 gubernatorial race to former Gov. Jim Hodges.
But a poll commissioned earlier this year indicated that Beasley might be the one person capable of beating Tenenbaum.
According to the poll, conducted by political consultant Richard Quinn, former Attorney General Charlie Condon and Congressman Jim DeMint were running neck-and-neck with Tenenbaum. Beasley had three times their support but has remained out of the race.
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