S.C. Dems make case for blue November

Despite 28 years of Republican presidential wins in South Carolina, state Democrats are already eagerly participating in nominee Barack Obama's plans to compete in all 50 states this year, the state party's new executive director said Friday in Myrtle Beach.

The Illinois senator has made highly-publicized claims about sending paid staff members to lead campaign efforts in each state. While some had speculated that Obama offices in rigidly Republican states might merely be a ploy to raise money or support for efforts in swing states, S.C. Democratic Party executive director Jay Parmley made no mention of working for North Carolina or any other state in a morning address to the Beach Dems.

"We are far more energized and far more excited than Republicans,'' Parmley said. "There's not any reason South Carolina can't turn blue.''

In South Carolina, President George W. Bush beat both Al Gore and John Kerry by wide margins in 2000 and 2004 -- about 16 points and 250,000 votes. In the 1990s, however, Bill Clinton lost his two elections by much closer margins -- five points and 69,000 votes in 1996, or nine points and 98,000 votes in 1992.

Those figures, Parmley said, can be overcome by registering new voters and making sure they vote. In the state's black community alone, Parmley said various estimates show between 50,000 and 250,000 voting-age adults who are not registered.

"Now, that's enough to win, and that's just one demographic,'' Parmley said. "Many of the people who are not registered to vote are our voters.''

Parmley pointed out that the Kerry campaign in 2004, by contrast, only had offices in about 19 states it considered winnable.

"You have to have somebody on the ground to have a fighting chance to win,'' Parmley said.

State Democrats have also already begun hiring their own coordinators, dividing the state into six regions. Horry will be among eight counties headed up by Lance Jones, the state party's regional field director.

Obama's 50-state strategy has the added benefit, Parmley said, of lifting Democrats' chances for other offices. A presidential race invariably attracts campaign activity from people outside the party's normal mainstream, he said, and their energy can add to Democratic vote totals in more local races.

If South Carolina does land in Obama's column, Parmley noted, one of his official Electoral College votes will be cast by a Beach Dem. Sally Howard, a longtime Horry County Democrat, was chosen this week as one of the state's eight Democratic Party electors.

Comments

[Randal Wallace]

I hope Republicans are reading this post. I remember Bob Dole's narrow 1996 victory in South Carolina. The state was not called until sometime after 9:30 p.m. that night. That is close to two an a half hours after the polles had closed. That speaks volumes about how close a good Democratic candidate can come here to winning in South Carolina.

It always drives me crazy to hear my fellow Republicans talk with extreme over confidence. Over confidence will get you BEAT in politics.

Unlike John Kerry, who was pitiful at best, and Al Gore who was a weak campaigner, Obama is as good a speaker and campaigner as we have seen. The man BEAT the Clinton's, which is more than we can say ,and he will certainly pull a much larger African American vote out than we have seen in recent years.

Just look at the recent Democratic Primary, more people voted for Barack Obama than voted in the entire democratic contest 4 years prior. You combine that with Hillary Clinton's votes and you have a big base to draw on in the general election.

South Carolina could very easily be in play for the first time in a long time and I hope Republicans will listen to this and get fired up to work for McCain or we will be contributing to a Democratic win in November.

[Sen Linsey Graham]

"I hope Republicans are reading this post"

Posted by: Randal Wallace

What Republicans? If there were any Republicans in SC I never would have beaten a real conservative in the primary, especially after trying to give amnesty to all my illegal amigos that I invited in. You lame brain so-called Republicans in SC are so liberal you would elect my best buddy Teddy Kennedy if he had an (R) after his name.

[J E Bonsignor]

The lame brain who entered Senator Lindsey Graham's name to the ridiculous post above should be ashamed of him/her self. It seems some loony tune is always trying to out smart some one with their dumb and misleading coys... Plus Randall, remember Obama did so well during the Democrat primary is because he won the majority of the State caucuses, and thus he had the most delegate votes. However Hiliary did win the big popular States where the Democrats voted in person and not by caucus. Lastly the American voters doesn't like a flip flopper which Obama seems to be. McCain will win!!!

[Thad Viers]

The democrats making a case for SC turning Blue is like John Edwards giving a speech to caregivers of cancer patients about the importance of being faithful to your spouse...its ridiculous.

[Tom]

In response to the above, John McCain has quite a few flip flops of his own. He has shown he has no character (and he too cheated on his wife..but who cares about that?) etc. Keep being over confident though! This life long Republican and Veteran has a Barack sticker on his car. Trickle Down economics don't work (read a book), John McCain uses Veterans and doesn't support them, and the Republican party used our Christian values to get elected to do whatever the hell they want-which resulted in thousands dieing in a way that was not related to 9/11! Time to clean house! I know what you are thinking...I used to be that person until I woke up! I know what the Bush Doctrine is! Read a book sometime! You would be shocked as I have been!