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Article published Jul 30, 2004
S.C. delegation: History can't dull its
optimism
JUSTIN D. FOX
Washington
Correspondent
BOSTON -- South Carolina's eight electoral votes
have not gone to a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976, and to suggest
a different outcome this fall may defy all levels of conventional wisdom.Yet,
fueled with the enthusiasm surrounding the party's quadrennial pep rally, the
state's delegation to the Democratic National Convention said it sees evidence
that Democratic nominee John Kerry stands an outside chance of winning the
Palmetto State in November.Encouraged by the words of Teresa Heinz Kerry and
Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama earlier in the week, several South Carolina
delegates said that the various speeches were succeeding at motivating and
mobilizing the party faithful."I really think the difference in this convention
-- and the Republicans need to be concerned about this -- is the unification of
folks," Spartanburg delegate Elizabeth Teel said."Historically, I would say that
is a tremendous asset for us."Obama's speech, she said, highlighted party
members' commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone."It was
excellent," she said. "When in the past have we had a keynote speech like
that?"For Spartanburg City Councilwoman Linda Dogan, Heinz Kerry's emphasis on
women's issues resonated loudly."Women have such a hard time being taken
seriously," she said.Both Dogan and Teel said several of the speeches during the
week have stressed a key contention that should be relevant to South Carolinians
-- namely, that a Democratic president will make a positive difference in their
lives."We're tired of not having any money, tired of not having any jobs," Dogan
said, adding that Kerry's choice of South Carolina-born John Edwards should help
win the party ticket support in the state."He (Edwards) knows that we need jobs;
he knows we need better health care in South Carolina," she said. "He also knows
that we need better race relations."Also, the campaign of Inez Tenenbaum for the
U.S. Senate seat may aid Democratic-minded turnout, several delegates said, even
though Tenenbaum skipped out on the convention this week in favor of campaigning
at home.Teel said she is confident unemployment and economic hardship back home
will motivate South Carolinians to vote against President Bush."When people are
hungry and cannot buy the essentials, they will vote correctly and they will
vote for change," she said.