South Carolinians get another look at Democratic candidates

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Kameelah Khaalid wants a leader who would help create better paying jobs for South Carolina families and got a quick look at six candidates who spoke at a Democratic presidential forum on Friday.

The 27-year-old single mother of five lives in public housing in Columbia and sees her neighbors struggling to keep honest jobs.

"These Wal-Mart jobs aren't going to feed their kids," Khaalid said as she listened to White House hopefuls talk about their plans to improve the economy, race relations, education and health care.

Khaalid said she liked Wesley Clark's concise answers, but she thought John Edwards did a good job of expressing how he could relate to working families as the son of a mill worker.

Like many at the forum, Khaalid left undecided about which candidate to support in South Carolina's primary Tuesday. Polls show Edwards and John Kerry atop the field here, with Clark and Howard Dean close behind.

Dean, Kerry, Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton also spoke at the forum moderated by nationally syndicated radio host Tom Joyner, whose show is broadcast in 115 markets, predominantly in black and urban areas.

A seventh candidate, Joe Lieberman, skipped the forum to campaign in Delaware.

The candidates stepped on stage at the Township Auditorium separately to speak before an audience of social activists from around the country.

Each candidate heard heart-wrenching personal stories as families posed questions along with Joyner, who read questions submitted by e-mail.

The answers were convincing, but their actions were more impressive to Rachel Johnson, 27, of Columbia.

"He showed real compassion for the lady who was crying," Johnson said about Clark, who consoled a woman sobbing over her family's health care woes.

Wilbur Wright, 66, of Columbia said he was leaning toward Kerry but changed his mind after Sharpton got many in the animated audience to their feet as he talked about being the only candidate who has been a civil rights activist.

"I've got a few knocks on my head from the civil rights movement, so there is some loyalty," Wright said.

While Wright said he would support a fellow black man, he hopes Kerry will get the Democratic nomination.

Pamela Earle-Benbow, 44, of Columbia trusts Sharpton's message above the others.

"They all said what was politically correct, what you wanted to hear" she said.