Winnsboro Voters in the heart of this heavily Democratic community struggle to name at least one of the nine Democratic presidential hopefuls competing in the S.C. primary six months from now.

Some were deeply disappointed to learn former Vice President Al Gore is not running.

"You mean he's not a candidate?" asked Jessie James, a 38-year-old recreation hall clerk.

Judging by interviews with two dozen people, voters here don't seem to be paying attention to the contest. Their time is being taken up by more pressing matters -- vacations, preparing children for the opening of school and managing their businesses.

Ida B. Cantey, a 47-year-old furniture store clerk, said it's way too early to focus on a primary that is six months away. But she promised to take a closer look this fall.

"I don't have time to read newspapers or watch television," Cantey said. But, she added, "I will vote."

Right now, U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri is somebody she might support. But, again, that could change.

One thing is certain. She will not vote for President George Bush, a Republican. "All Bush cares about is power, money and awe," Cantey said.

Harry Ratterree, a 56-year-old carpet-tile store owner, accepted the challenge to name all nine Democratic candidates. He got as far as U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

"He's the only one I know, and I thought he was the man from North Carolina, whose name escapes me."

That would be U.S. Sen. John Edwards, a native of Seneca just a few counties to the west.

For those playing along at home, the nine Democrats in the race are Kerry, Edwards, Gephardt, former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, U.S. Sen. Bob Graham of Florida, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and the Rev. Al Sharpton of New York.

Abdullah Furgaw, a 54-year-old variety store owner, looked over the list of candidates.

"Hmm," he said, pausing for a moment. "I'm going to be honest with you right now. I don't know any at the moment, and that's the truth. I'll just wait and see what jumps out of the water."

COUNTY IMPORTANT FOR DEMOCRATS

Historically, Fairfield County has voted Democratic. The county's population is 55 percent black, and black voters are the Democrats' most loyal S.C. constituents.

In 2002, Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges carried Fairfield over Republican challenger Mark Sanford, 68 percent to 32 percent. And in the 2000 presidential race, Fairfield voters preferred Gore over Bush, 63 percent to 36 percent.

With African-Americans expected to cast a majority, or a near majority, of votes in South Carolina's 2004 presidential primary, Fairfield will be a key county.

The Democratic presidential candidates have been spending the bulk of their time campaigning in largely black communities from here to Jasper County.

U.S. Rep. John Spratt Jr., a Democrat who represents Fairfield in Congress, has endorsed Gephardt in the primary.

Right now, however, no Democratic candidate has a clear advantage in South Carolina. Lieberman, Gore's vice presidential running mate in 2000, was the only candidate to register in the double digits -- at 13 percent -- when likely voters in the S.C. primary were asked to name who they favored, according to a survey released Friday.

Asked which Democrats come to mind first, a handful of Fairfield voters mentioned Edwards.

"I like Edwards just because he's from South Carolina," said 56-year-old barber Gary Brown, but he doesn't think Edwards -- or any of the Democrats -- has much of a shot at beating Bush in South Carolina.

Gordon MacKinnon, a 50-year-old jeweler and video store owner who named four of the nine candidates, said his favorite is Dean.

"He gets a little bit feisty sometimes," he said. "I think that's good."

MacKinnon would like to see Sharpton make a strong run, too. "He'd drive them all crazy."

'THE ONLY PRESIDENT WE EVER HAD'

Two blocks down the street, at Pauling's Barbershop, most customers didn't have the foggiest idea who was running. But that didn't put a damper on debate.

"I don't bother to know anymore," said 30-year-old barber Dexter Pauling, "because the Republicans are going to cheat and steal and do what they want" -- his assessment of the Florida vote-counting mess in the 2000 presidential election.

His 28-year-old brother and fellow barber, Clarence Pauling III, said Edwards has impressed him the most of the candidates he's seen. "I saw him on TV, and he seemed like a down-to-earth person."

The oldest of the three haircutting brothers, 40-year-old Bernard Pauling, chimed in, "We're all going to get Bush-whacked‘ .‘.‘. the only president we ever had was Bill Clinton."

The few Republican voters in this county remain loyal to Bush and show no inclination to vote in the Democratic primary -- even to create a little mischief.

"I'm pretty much a true Southerner -- a Republican who really doesn't know he's a Republican," said Jimmy Burroughs, a 45-year-old pawnshop owner.