Quotes from voters in South Carolina

Excerpts and reaction from those who voted in South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary Tuesday.

ANYBODY BUT BUSH

Cliff Winterfield, 29, of Charleston who works with people who have tax problems, said his vote for John Kerry came down to who he thinks has the best chance to beat Bush in November. "Honestly, I think he has the best chance of beating Bush in November, which is definitely my number one priority," he said. "I liked Kucinich, I think he had a lot of good positions but honestly, I didn't think he had a chance of beating anybody."

Robert Valois, 51, of Lexington who considers himself an independent, said he voted for Kerry because of his background, experience and war record.

"The guy who can beat Bush. With Edwards as vice president, he'll have a strong ticket," the University of South Carolina professor of public health said. "Kerry's got the right stuff to take the White House back."

---

ENDORSEMENTS

Joan Hollis of Winnsboro was planning on going for Edwards but changed her mind when she heard on the radio that U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, D-S.C., endorsed Kerry. "I think either one of them would be good," said Hollis, 69, and retired cable company worker.

Nursing assistant Evelyn Brown, 55, of Charleston voted for Edwards and said U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn's endorsement had no impact on her decision. "We need somebody who is going to bring those boys home," she said. "They keep dying every day in Iraq. I liked his message on the health issues as well. Anyone who can bring those boys home from Iraq, I would be most appreciative."

---

HOMETOWN BOY

William Keisler, 75, a retired resident of Leesville, said he was an independent but voted for Edwards. "Well, Edwards is a native of South Carolina and that's the main reason," said Keisler, of Leesville. "That doesn't necessarily mean I'll vote Democrat next election. ... A lot can happen between now and November."

---

DAMAGED DEAN

Robin Ellis, 52, of Leesville voted for Kerry, who he called "an electable Democrat."

"I never liked (Howard) Dean. After Dean's little tirade, I didn't think he was the man to be president," Ellis said. "I leaned toward Dean, but when I saw him freak out, that's when I started looking around."

---

SHARPTON

Lizea Carter, 37, who is a housewife in Batesburg, voted for the Rev. Al Sharpton. "He's a black Democrat, and we need someone that's our race to stand up for us," Carter said.

Michelle Staley, 32, a Columbia cosmetologist voted for Sharpton. "I think that he will be a sounding board for the African-American community," Staley said. "I actually don't think he's probably going to beat Bush, but I think that he can put out some issues that can help the African-American community."

---

TURNOUT

"I just wish there was a whole lot more people out here to vote," said volunteer poll worker Lorraine Maxime, 22, senior political science major at South Carolina State in Orangeburg. "It's a wonderful privilege to vote that people in some countries don't get to experience," said the native of Trinidad.