McCain Seeks New Result In S.C.

New Hampshire GOP Winner Back For A Second Shot At State That Stopped His 2000 Campaign

(AP)  John McCain's first presidential bid cratered in South Carolina after a nasty campaign and never recovered.

Back for a second shot, it's not so much vengeance he seeks, but victory.

"Eight years is a long, long time in politics," the Arizona senator said Wednesday, reveling in another New Hampshire triumph while arguing why he could succeed in South Carolina where he once failed.

Times have changed, he says, and so has the state itself. It's also a different nomination fight than it was back then - wide-open, fractured and lacking a front-runner with the weight of the establishment behind him.

At least one thing, however, hasn't changed - and that could spell trouble for McCain.

Christian evangelicals, many of whom have never warmed to the senator, still hold much sway in the ultraconservative Upstate region; their favored candidate - Baptist preacher turned Arkansas politician Mike Huckabee - is angling for a win. Immigration also could pose a problem for McCain, who backs providing millions of illegal immigrants an eventual path to citizenship.

Republicans in this state hold their primary Jan. 19; Michigan goes before it, on Tuesday.

In 2000, McCain cruised into South Carolina fresh from a stunning New Hampshire win over establishment favorite George W. Bush only to go down in bitter defeat in the first-in-the-South primary. On TV, Bush allies vastly outspent the GOP underdog. Underground, McCain was assailed in negative telephone calls and a whisper campaign that spread rumors about him and his family.

This year, his backers have set up what they're calling a "truth squad" to counter negative campaigning in a state known for brass-knuckles politics. Said McCain: "I'm not sure the people of South Carolina would stand for it again."

Next week, he will head into the thick of the South Carolina race having racked up at least one, maybe two wins; his aides see Huckabee as McCain's greatest threat now that Mitt Romney is weakened from two major losses and has pulled his advertising in South Carolina to focus more on must-win Michigan.

Fred Thompson, the former Tennessee senator, is struggling to mount a comeback in South Carolina, while Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, isn't much of a factor.

Conversely, Huckabee and McCain have momentum from respective wins in hotly contested Iowa and New Hampshire. Huckabee holds wide appeal with Christian evangelicals; McCain attracts voters from across the political spectrum.

Christian evangelicals have a tense relationship with McCain. He disparaged their leaders in 2000, labeling some "agents of intolerance." Since then, he has sought to repair relations; for instance, speaking at the late Jerry Falwell's Liberty University in Virginia in 2006.

"There is a lot less negativity about him in the conservative religious community than in 2000," said James Guth, a political science professor at Furman University in Greenville, S.C.

McCain's aides don't pretend they can lock up the Christian evangelical vote. Rather, they are focused on appealing to voters across all parts of the party.

In that vein, McCain sees two factors working in his favor.

The race is the first contested GOP primary since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"The world has changed. America has changed," McCain said. "In 2000, we were not in two wars and facing the transcendent challenge of radical Islamic extremism."

McCain, a former Vietnam prisoner of war, argues that people in a state with a long military tradition, several bases and a large number of veterans could seek commander in chief qualities primarily in a candidate. He said of his decades of experience on military matters, "I certainly think it's helpful with a lot of South Carolinians."

At the same time, McCain hopes to benefit from a population spurt; South Carolina's numbers rose by nearly 10 percent since the decade began, with many people settling along the coastal region that McCain won in 2000. These transplants in retirement communities and resort towns tend to be more moderate on social issues. The newcomers have made the state even more Republican than it already was, but not necessarily more conservative, and that could benefit McCain.

Immigration remains a major issue and many Republicans remain fired up over McCain's position. But the passions that the issue ignited have calmed some, and McCain has tempered his zeal for comprehensive reform with a "secure the borders first" pitch.

Through political turmoil last year, McCain backers argue that his biggest problem has been that South Carolina Republicans began to doubt that he could be elected.

"After New Hampshire, that's over," said Lindsey Graham, the senior South Carolina senator and close McCain confidant. "We're a viable campaign, and that's all we needed to prove to people."

[watcher269-2009]

This man is too old to be President - I don''t want my tax dollars being paid for Geritol and Depends.

I also don''t want another Senile Reagan type running the country.

It is time to look towards the Future and that is Elect an Young Person - they can guide us forward. But at least make sure they have an Education and that they have at least a B+ average from school. I''m tired of these Dumb Educated Bush and Cheney types running our country.

[logicanada]

Anybody ever considered that maybe all these border fences will be designed to keep people in?

[logicanada]

McCains failing is looking too smug after small victories.
Sure, he won in N.H. but he got blown away in the FOX debate last night.
He should wipe that silly smirk off his face before Huckster wipes it away for him.

[starleo146]

"Eight years is a long, long time in politics," the Arizona senator said Wednesday,

Yeah, thanks for pointing it out you old fartt.
You can retire now.

Posted by rushlimpdrug at 12:25 PM : Jan 10, 2008
+

Boy the republicans are so desperate John McCain stood up and said I know what I said about Immigration but I''m telling you now I will secure the borders and he should have added then I will give the ones here amnesty he just forgot that I suppose. His own state wants him gone

[perception5]

The question Americans need to ask themselves is this. Mitt Romney KNOWS how to create "wealth". So why is that a bad thing?

If Mitt Romney was elected he could create wealth for ALL Americans. Why would Americans want to vote for a candidate who has no idea on how to create wealth?

If Americans want a "FIXER" than Mitt''s your man. If Americans want a president based on the color of the skin, Gender, or how "smooth" they can talk then I guess you have other choices. But for Americans that want their "falied" government in Washington DC "FIXED" then Mitt''s clearly the man. Make your choice my fellow Ameircans.

[johnny343sc]

JOHN McCAIN SHOULD HAVE WON THE 2000 REPUBLICAN NOMINATION AND PRESIDENCY BACK THEN!

IF WE DIDN''T HAVE BUSH, WE WOULDN''T BE IN THIS MESS.

;)

[prinzowhales]

Here''s the link...

http://infowars.net/articles/january2008/100108LHS.htm

"If you make yourselves sheep, the wolves will eat you," Benjamin Franklin said. If we don''t stand up for honest elections then we might as well not hold them. You are wasting your breath supporting any candidates.

Both Obama and Paul were cheated in New Hampshire. If they don''t pursue this, then they are in cahoots with this attempt by the Oligarchy to decide appoint the candidates at the Conventions. Down with the Regime and its crooked voting machines!

[prinzowhales]

With the same crooked machines, McCain or any other Establishment candidate could win the day. The Diebold machines are even more hackable than the ones in New Hampshire. Here is a story about the felon involved with the New Hampshire fraud...A CONVICTED DRUG DEALER!!...they not only run state campaigns...they count the votes!!

Down with the Regime!! Honest Elections or Revolution!!

[hwy71so]

Vote for Duncan Hunter.

For 15 years, major strategic mistakes have been made by Administrations of both political parties because they lacked substantial military and foreign policy experience. This is not gained by a governor calling out the National Guard for state duty, or by a mayor responding to a highly localized terrorist attack, no matter how admirably. Rather, it comes form mastering the economic, diplomatic, military and intergovernmental elements of our national power to shape sound security strategy and policy. Congressman Hunter cannot only tactically, operationally and strategically employ our forces, but also balance those other elements of power with equally superior competency to restore America''''s greatness. Now Americans will wake up and realize that they don''''t have to "settle."

[hwy71so]

Since 1981, Congressman Duncan Hunter has served on the House Armed Services Committee, as Chairman from 2002-06, and currently as the Ranking Minority Member. Hunter has championed a strong military, border security, and protecting America''''s workers and small businesses against unfair trade competition by opposing schemes like NAFTA and the North American Union. He understands that protecting jobs in U.S. defense, aircraft, ship repair, machine tools, textile, steel and titanium industries are essential for maintaining the surge capacity of the U.S. industrial base. Since 9-11-01, Hunter has led the fight to secure our borders against transnational terrorists and lawless elements; and to release two unjustly convicted border guards, Ramos and Campion.

Hunter earned the Combat Infantryman''''s Badge and Bronze Star in Vietnam and demands that the U.S. Government keep its promises to Veterans. His efforts to provide tax relief for working families, protect Social Security, and promote strong family values earned him 100% ratings from Eagle Forum, the American Conservative Union, the Concerned Women of America, the Christian Coalition, and the Campaign for Working Families; a 92% from the American Conservative Union; and an A+ from the NRA.

Vote for Duncan Hunter.

[rushlimpdrug]

"Eight years is a long, long time in politics," the Arizona senator said Wednesday,

Yeah, thanks for pointing it out you old fartt.
You can retire now.