GOP focuses on first Southern contest Saturday

| Ron Paul | David Jackson Registered voters: More than 2.2 million as of Jan. 2. Nearly 1.3 million of them are women.<br><br> Voters don't register by party, which means they can cast ballots in either the GOP primary Saturday or the Democratic contest on Jan. 26. Previous turnout: In 2000, the last time the Republicans had a contested primary, 197,923 people voted.<br><br> Polling Republicans supported by likely voters: (average of four recent polls) Previous winners Key voting blocs White evangelical voters make up 53% of the state's likely GOP vote. Bob Jones III , whose father founded a fundamentalist Christian college in Greenville that bears the family name, endorsed Mitt Romney . Military presence The state's estimated 400,000 veterans are a potent force.<br><br> The military's might in the Palmetto State includes The Citadel, a military college, and Fort Jackson, one of the Army's largest training centers. Historical notes Digg del.icio.us Newsvine Reddit Facebook What's this? John McCain 25.8% Mike Huckabee 23.3% Mitt Romney 15.3% Fred Thompson 10.5% Rudy Giuliani 5.8% Ron Paul 5.3% 1992George H.W.<br><br> Bush 1996Bob Dole 2000George W. Bush 2004No primary held USA TODAY On Politics CandidatesIssuesElectionresults Become a member of theUSA TODAY community now! Log in | Becomea membe r What's this?<br><br> Page 1of 4 GOP focuses on first Southern contest Saturday -USATODAY.com 1/17/2008 htt p ://www.usatoda y .com/news/ p olitics/election2008/2008-01-16- g o p -sc-charticle _ N.htm?cs p =34 Strom Thurmond is credited with leading former Democrats into the GOP fold after he backed Barry Goldwater for president in 1964 and Richard Nixon in 1968. & The state's prowess in picking Republican nominees began with Ronald Reagan in 1980. He beat former Democrat-turned-Republican John Connally , who built his campaign around winning South Carolina.<br><br> & Republican voters in South Carolina also ratified front-runners named George Bush 4 and the father and son went on to win the White House. On the trail Mike Huckabee drew a crowd of 1,500 at a Furman University jam session in Greenville. The former Arkansas governor, who plays guitar, joined a local group for a cover of "Taking Care of Business" and some politicking.<br><br> & The state GOP turned last week's debate in the seaside resort town of Myrtle Beach into a fundraising opportunity. Tickets went for $150 while sponsorship packages went up to $10,000. & John McCain formed a "truth squad" to combat any falsehoods during the campaign.<br><br> He lost the 2000 primary here in part because of his inability to beat back rumors about his mental state and family. Contributing: William Risser; Dan Hoover and Ron Barnett, The Greenville (S.C.) News. Sources: The Associated Press, Almanac of American Politics, state Board of Elections, U.S.<br><br> Census, Real Clear Politics average of four p olls taken between Jan. 7 and Jan. 15.<br><br> Share this story: Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers across the map.<br><br> Digg del.icio.us Newsvine RedditFacebook What's this? Posted 13h ago E-mail | Save | Print | Reprints & Permissions | To report corrections and clarifications, contact Reader Editor Brent Jones . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com.<br><br> Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. Y ou must be logged in to leave a comment. Log in | Register 24m ago ShelbyJ7 wrote: 6h 57m ago Guess what Mike Huckabee has in common with Hillary Clinton?!<br><br> THEY BOTH MADE JUDICIAL WATCH'S 2007 LIST OF MOST CORRUPT POLITICIANS ! http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-anno unces- list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politi cians-2007 (Note: remove any spaces in the links) ________________________________ Thanks, ShelbyJ7. This is what I have been trying to communicate -- that Huckabee is crooked, just like Hillary.<br><br> Thank you for posting the Judicial Watch list. Recommend | Report Abuse 46m ago arationalguy wrote: 9m ago Exit polls show that McCain won among voters that identified themselves as Union Members, Democrats, and Atheists. He also won among those who " want abortion clegal d " are cangry d with Bush " earn less than $30,000/yr " cnever d attend church " want a path to citizenship for Illegal Immigrants, and " disapprove of the war in Iraq *************************************** Why is he even running as a REPUBLICAN???????????<br><br> Recommend | Report Abuse 1h 1m ago *** Although McCain lost Michigan by a whopping 9.25%, the news of the loss was not all bad. Exit polls show that McCain won among voters that identified themselves as Union Members, Democrats, and Atheists. He also won among those who " want abortion clegal d " are can g r y d with Bush Submit Submit Comments: (8) Showing: Newest first AmericanHeritage wrote: bob84108 wrote: arationalguy wrote: Page 2of 4 GOP focuses on first Southern contest Saturday -USATODAY.com 1/17/2008 htt p ://www.usatoda y .com/news/ p olitics/election2008/2008-01-16- g o p -sc-charticle _ N.htm?cs p =34 " earn less than $30,000/yr " cnever d attend church " want a path to citizenship for Illegal Immigrants, and " disapprove of the war in Iraq http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/resul ts/epolls/#MIREP Recommend 1 | Report Abuse 1h 17m ago Walksalone, If you walk into a Bank of America location here in North Texas, you can watch FAUX News from any of about 20 different giant TV screens while you do your business in the bank.<br><br> You can hear all the "facts" about Hillary and her Stalinist past, or hear about Obama's secret plot to destroy America (he's really a muslim terrorist, you know!) while you wait to do your banking business. Now, aren't you sorry you dissed Bank of America, walksalone? They are watching out for your welfare by pumping non-stop propaganda right into your brain!!!<br><br> Now be a nice sheep and say you're sorry! Recommend | Report Abuse 3h 47m ago No matter what party..The banks control the country! STATE OF AFFAIRS A conversation between a Customer and Bank of America Bank: This is the Bank of America, can I help you?<br><br> Customer: Yes, I want to cancel my account. I don't want to do business with you any longer. Bank: Why?<br><br> Customer: You're giving credit to illegal immigrants and I don't think it's right. I'm taking my business elsewhere. Bank: Well, Mr.<br><br> Customer, we don't want to see you do that, but we can't stop you. I'll help you close the account. What is your account number?<br><br> Customer: (gives account number) Bank: For security purposes and for your protection, can you please give me the last four digits of your social security number? Customer: No. Bank: Mr.<br><br> Customer, I need to verify your information, but in order to help you, I'll need verification of who you are. Customer: Why should I give you my social security number? The reason I'm closing my account is that your bank is issuing credit cards to illegal immigrants who don't have social security numbers.<br><br> You are targeting that audience and want their business. Let's say I'm an illegal immigrant and you've given me a credit card. I have a question about it and call for assistance.<br><br> You wouldn't be asking me for a Social Security number, would you? Bank: No sir, I wouldn't. Customer: Why not?<br><br> Bank: Because you would have pressed '2' to speak in Spanish We don't ask for that information when calling in on the Spanish line. CHECK THIS OUT ON SNOPES! IT'S TRUE!<br><br> http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/banko famerica.asp Recommend | Report Abuse 6h 39m ago Guess what Mike Huckabee has in common with Hillary Clinton?! THEY BOTH MADE JUDICIAL WATCH'S 2007 LIST OF MOST CORRUPT POLITICIANS ! http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-anno unces- list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politi cians-2007 (Note: remove any spaces in the links) Recommend | Report Abuse Farmer in Texas wrote: walksalone wrote: ShelbyJ7 wrote: Page 3of 4 GOP focuses on first Southern contest Saturday -USATODAY.com 1/17/2008 htt p ://www.usatoda y .com/news/ p olitics/election2008/2008-01-16- g o p -sc-charticle _ N.htm?cs p =34 9h 41m ago Sandy Eggo wrote: 1h 20m ago South Carolina: Remember that McCain and Huckabee (and all of the Democratic candidates) have supported amnesty (citizenship) for millions of ILLEGAL aliens...<br><br> ________________________________ You might consider adding that Romney, during a GOP debate, said he did not use the term "amnesty" in his attack ads when it appeared in two of them...same goes for his $100 billion ($20 billion annual over 5 years) federal bailout for Michigan auto. Where is that kind of money coming from? The southern states?<br><br> As far as the illegal immigrant tag line goes, neither McCain nor Huck support illegals--they exist so its idiotic to think that anyone from the GOP who has at one time (like years ago) attempted to deal with the massive problem supports them. As for McCain: It concerns me that, for every primary speech (of course we did not see the last one because the classless winner of Michigan cut him off), McCain gets up with a white piece of paper and reads if off. Is this the guy the GOP is slotting to debate in the general election?<br><br> This leaves Huck, the only guy who has a tax plan that will result in real money in our pockets while drug dealers etc. and all the other crooks (including those who frequent Wall Street) live tax free. Think about how much you are paying out of pocket to support the other candidates and the economic illegals that their policies currently support.<br><br> For that, he often gets slammed by the billionaire-owned media networks. It's your money, at least it was your money with the other candidates. Recommend 3 | Report Abuse 11h 38m ago South Carolina: Remember that McCain and Huckabee (and all of the Democratic candidates) have supported amnesty (citizenship) for millions of ILLEGAL aliens.<br><br> If they get elected plan on millions of new citizens who will be able to bring in all of their siblings, children and parents too. Recommend 2 | Report Abuse Reubenesque wrote: Sandy Eggo wrote: Sponsored Links Lose 30 Pounds In 30 Days Amazing Weight Loss Breakthough. As Seen on Oprah and CNN.<br><br> Lipocerin.com 25lbs in 3 Weeks- No Diet Amazing Weight Loss Secret. As Seen on Oprah and 60 Minutes. Zovatol.com Fast Working Diet Pills Now Available Without a Prescription.<br><br> As Seen on CNN, NBC, & Fox News Phenocerin.com Get listed here Newspaper Home Delivery - Subscribe Today Home " News " Travel " Money " Sports " Life " Tech " Weather About USATODAY.com: Site Map | FAQ | Contact Us | Jobs with Us | Terms of Service Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Right | Media Kit | Media Lounge | Press Room | Reprints and Permissions Partners: USA WEEKEND | Sports Weekly | Education | Space.com News Your Way: Mobile News | Email News | Add USATODAY.com RSS feeds | Podcasts | Widgets Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Page 4of 4 GOP focuses on first Southern contest Saturday -USATODAY.com 1/17/2008 htt p ://www.usatoda y .com/news/ p olitics/election2008/2008-01-16- g o p -sc-charticle _ N.htm?cs p =34<br><br>

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