Thompson Says Future Depends on S.C. Results

From CBS News' John Bentley:

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- With shouts of “Go Fred!” echoing off the walls of the auditorium, Fred Thompson wound his way through tables filled with thousands of guns and – more importantly for his campaign – hundreds of gun owners.

“I was interested in him because of his Second Amendment stance,” said Robbie Smith, who had come to this gun show in Columbia to check out the merchandise and see Senator Thompson. “But I voted for him because he’s a good, down-to-earth guy.”

It was the last campaign stop for Thompson today, and could be the last stop of his candidacy if he doesn’t win – or at least come close to winning – South Carolina.

“I’ve always said I have to do very well here, there’s no question about that and I stand by that,” he said. “We’ll have to see what the results are tonight, and it won’t be too much longer.”

With his wife Jeri at his side, he said he was optimistic about his chances.

“It just feels wonderful,” he said. “We’ve been doing what we want to do, saying what we want to say the way we want to say it, and being who we are.”

When asked about the future, Thompson said he’d have to wait until after the primary. “My plans for Monday?” he said. “It depends on tonight. We’ll see.”