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In SC Primary, It's Values vs. Defense Voters

Huckabee, McCain divide GOP in state rich in churches, military

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2008 12:45 PM CST
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(Newser) – The pastor and the POW have exposed a deep divide in the South Carolina GOP, reports Politico, with the national security faithful on one side and diehard social conservatives on the other. Ahead of this weekend’s primary, Mike Huckabee is traveling to churches and John McCain is dispatching teams of veterans on a tour; the two have been trading the frontrunner position.

The state is tied for highest church attendance levels and has one of the largest military and veteran populations in the country. "If this vote comes down to the appearance of a social conservative to someone who is just national security, there’s no doubt that Mike Huckabee can win," one backer argues. Countering that argument is McCain's slogan: "Best prepared to lead from Day One.”

Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at a campaign event in the parking lot of Alex's Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at a campaign event in the parking lot of Alex's Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is greeted by supporters at a campaign event in the parking lot of Alex's Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is greeted by supporters at a campaign event in the parking lot of Alex's Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopefuls former Gov. Mitt Romney R-Mass., Sen. John McCain R-Ariz., former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., take part in a Republican presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential hopefuls former Gov. Mitt Romney R-Mass., Sen. John McCain R-Ariz., former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., take part in a Republican presidential debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
In this image from video provided by the Huckabee for President campaign, Republican presidential hopeful and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, speaks during the sermon at First Baptist North Spartanburg Church during a campaign stop in Spartanburg, S.C. Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008.(AP Photo)
In this image from video provided by the Huckabee for President campaign, Republican presidential hopeful and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, speaks during the sermon...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee reacts as he leaves the First Baptist North Spartanburg Church with his wife Janet, second from left, after preaching at two services during a campaign stop in Spartanburg, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential hopeful and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee reacts as he leaves the First Baptist North Spartanburg Church with his wife Janet, second from left, after preaching at two...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, signs a guitar for Calib Fulmer, 13, from Summerville, N.C., at a campaign stop at Williams Brice Stadium at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, signs a guitar for Calib Fulmer, 13, from Summerville, N.C., at a campaign stop at Williams Brice Stadium at the University of South...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, smiles for a picture at a campaign stop at Williams Brice Stadium at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, smiles for a picture at a campaign stop at Williams Brice Stadium at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, Jan....   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a campaign event at Kelly's Barbeque restaurant in Summerville, S.C., Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a campaign event at Kelly's Barbeque restaurant in Summerville, S.C., Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
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national security • John McCain • veterans • Mike Huckabee • South Carolina primary • values voters

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