South Carolina Democrats to take time on 2008

Colombia, S C, Apr 29: With enthusiasm at a fever pitch, South Carolina Democrats were impressed after their first close look at the party's presidential contenders -- but many say they will take their time picking a candidate.

Three days of campaigning around the state, starting with Thursday's debate and ending with today's state party convention, sparked intense enthusiasm and confidence among state Democrats about 2008.

Even in a deep South, reliably Republican state like South Carolina, a slate of White House candidates led by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama and featuring political veterans like John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd and Joseph Biden generated unprecedented energy.

''It makes your heart full. You think, 'My God, we have a chance','' said Marjorie Trifon, a retired professor from Columbia whose eyes welled with tears when asked what she liked about the crowded Democratic field.

Said Margaret Howie, a French teacher from Spartanburg: ''There is a lot to be excited about with these candidates. I'm actually not worried about being able to beat the Republicans next year -- any of them can beat the Republicans.'' Many activists at the state party convention and a jammed yesterday night fish fry in a downtown Columbia parking garage wore buttons and stickers touting multiple candidates and said they would be happy to back any of them.

''I am still shopping. I like them all so much I can't narrow it down -- but I've got plenty of time,'' said Michael Cone, a trial lawyer from Mt Pleasant.

Frank Willis, the mayor of Florence, said: ''People have to decide who they think can win and they will put off a decision as long as they can,'' he said. He added though that he is backing Clinton.

Excited National Mood

The enthusiasm and energy in South Carolina mirror what pollsters say is the national mood, with surveys finding Democrats more excited than Republicans about 2008 amid Republican dissatisfaction with their White House contenders and unhappiness over the Iraq war.

The presence of Clinton, the New York senator and former first lady who would be the first women president, and Obama, the Illinois senator and budding star who would be the first black president, has ramped up enthusiasm even more.

''I think we have one of the most exciting fields we've ever had in the Democratic Party,'' said US Rep. Jim Clyburn, who hosted Friday night's annual fish fry.

Thousands of Democrats packed the event and surged forward when Obama and Clinton entered the garage, turning the crowd into human sardines. Edwards, who won the South Carolina primary during his unsuccessful White House run in 2004, was accompanied by a marching drum unit.

''When is the last time you've seen this kind of energy in the Democratic Party?'' Biden, a senator from Delaware, asked at a reception today.

Richardson asked South Carolina Democrats to hold off on making a decision about who to support.

''I know there are candidates who are rock stars and I'm not, but I'm working on it. I'm a grass-roots campaigner, I'm going to go to every community in your state. Give me a chance,'' the New Mexico governor pleaded at the convention.

South Carolina is slated to hold the fourth nominating contest in 2008 and the first in the South. The movement of many big states to hold their contests the week after South Carolina could diminish its status, but the candidates were quick to assure state Democrats of their importance.

''We're coming back to South Carolina a lot,'' said Dodd, a senator from Connecticut.

''There is going to be plenty of time for major mistakes to be made, there is a lot of time to get to know the candidates better,'' said Libby Fain, a retired Spanish teacher from Spartanburg.

Reuters>