Obama's campaign hosts town hall meetings

  U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s South Carolina campaign will host a series of town hall meetings Friday and Saturday in Bamberg, Dorchester, Chesterfield and Clarendon counties. 

  John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association, will talk to farmers and local families about Obama’s plan to help support rural communities in South Carolina. The first meeting is 2 p.m. Friday at the Bamberg Civic Center, 2477 Main Hwy in Bamberg. 

  In November, Obama unveiled a rural plan for South Carolina that included increasing access to health care, creating new jobs and putting a new emphasis on recruiting quality teachers.

 

McCain releases a new S.C. ad

U.S. Sen. John McCain has released a S.C. TV ad touting McCain's "record of courageous leadership on the difficult issues facing our country," according to a campaign news release.

The ad touches on McCain breaking with some of his fellow Republicans to criticize Iraq war strategy and the McCain-Feingold Act he engineered that regulates campaign spending.

View the ad here

Here is a transcript of the ad.

ANNOUNCER: "One man sacrificed for his country.

"One man opposed a flawed strategy in Iraq.

"One man had the courage to call for change.

"One man didn't play politics with the truth.

"One man stands up to the special interests."

JOHN MCCAIN: "Stand up. We're Americans, we're Americans and we'll never surrender, they will."

ANNOUNCER: "One man does what's right, not what's easy. John McCain."

JOHN MCCAIN: "I'm John McCain and I approve this message."

Today is last day to register for Dems. primary

   Today is the deadline to  register to vote in the Jan. 26 S.C. Democratic Presidential Primary

   Here's what you should know.

 

   Voters may only cast ballots in one of the primaries.

• Residents who have had an address change within the same county, have moved from one county to another since they last voted, or moved here from another state should update their registrations.
•    Voters who don't update their registration information still might be allowed to vote, said Gary Baum, spokesman for the State Election Commission, but could be asked to go to their county registration offices to complete the proper update first.

   Visit www.scvotes.orgfor details

ETV to host GOP presidential radio debate

ETV Radio and NPR news will hold a radio-only Republican presidential debate in Columbia on Jan. 16, three days before voters go to the poll in the state's Republican primary.

 

ETV Radio reaches 271,300 weekly listeners across the state.

There will also be a Web cast.

Don Fowler Endorses Clinton

  Don Fowler, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Wednesday endorsed U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York for president in 2008.
  Fowler is the husband of Carol Fowler, chairwoman of the S.C. Democratic Party.
  “It is imperative that America elect a Democrat in 2008,” Fowler said. Fowler said Clinton understands the U.S. government better than anyone else in the race and the challenges facing the middle class after seven years of the Bush Administration.
  Don Fowler was national party chairman under President Bill Clinton from 1995 to 1997 and is a close friend of the Clintons.
  Carol Fowler was elected S.C. state chairwoman in April.
  Don Fowler remains a member of the Democratic National Committee and a superdelegate to the party’s convention in Denver in August 2008.
  Hillary Clinton is in a dogfight with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina for the Democratic nomination nationally and in South Carolina.
  A victory in the S.C. Democratic primary, set for Jan. 26, could be critical among the early voting states.

Sanford proposes flat income tax, higher cigarette tax

Gov. Mark Sanford today proposed lowering the state's income tax by allowing residents to choose an optional, lower flat tax rate.
Sanford would pay for the tax cut by raising the state tax on cigarettes.
Those who opted for the flat rate could claim no deductions but would pay a flat 3.4 percent rate. The state's top standard income tax rate is 7 percent. However, deductions reduce that rate.
Sanford's $107 million tax cut would be paid for by raising the state's cigarette tax to 37 cents a pack from 7 cents.
Raising the state's cigarette tax will be one of the first bills that the state Senate debates when the Legislature returns in January.
Advocates have argued the money should be spent on the health care-related costs of smoking. Some in the Legislature favor raising the tax, but only if another tax is cut in exchange. Still others oppose the tax entirely.
Sanford has said he would veto any cigarette tax increase that did not equally cut another tax.
Last year, lawmakers debated passing a higher cigarette tax to cut income taxes or reduce the taxes on groceries. In the end, lawmakers did not give final approval to a cigarette tax increase. Instead, they used money from the state’s budget surplus to eliminate the bottom income tax bracket and the remaining 3 per-cent state tax on groceries.
— John O’Connor

JFK Adviser Endorses Obama

   Ted Sorensen, the former speechwriter and senior adviser for President John F. Kennedy, will visit Columbia Thursday to discuss why U.S. Sen. Barack Obama is the best candidate for president.
   Sorensen advised President Kennedy on foreign policy and domestic issues and has worked on a number of campaigns including Robert F. Kennedy’s. The public is invited to hear Sorensen speak at noon Thursday at the Columbia Jewish Community Center, 306 Flora Drive in Columbia.

 

Obama's Sister Visits Dillon

  U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, will visit the Pee Dee Wednesday to talk about Obama’s plan to improve education for all children.
  She will hold an education town hall tomorrow in Dillon with former South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum. 
  Also, Obama’s South Carolina campaign launched a new TV ad Tuesday that highlights Obama’s education proposals -- initiatives that include a partnership between teachers, government and parents.

Giuliani lines up S.C. veteran support

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani picked up the endorsement of a handful of South Carolina veterans Tuesday, believing he is the best Republican presidential candidate to lead the war on international terrorism.
Retired Vice Admiral Albert J. Baciocco Jr., retired Brigadier General Ed. Y. Hall of the South Carolina National Guard, retired Rear Admiral Bill Schachte and Major General Darwin H. Simpson, all of whom are from South Carolina or live here now, announced their support of Giuliani.
The four will lead South Carolina Veterans for Giuliani.
“The next President of the United States must have the determination to keep the country on offense in the Terrorists’ War on Us,” Admiral Schachte said in a press release. “I know that Rudy Giuliani is the best candidate to lead our nation as Commander-in-Chief. No other candidate has the proven record of results that compares to what Mayor Giuliani has accomplished. I’m proud to support his campaign.”
Texas Gov. Rick Perry will also be in the state today, discussing Giuliani's campaign strategy. That strategy focuses on the Jan. 29th Florida primary and the more than 20 states voting on Feb. 5th, the so-called "Tsunami Tuesday."

Romney stops in South Carolina

Gov. Mitt Romney will make several campaign stops in South Carolina today including one at 2:30 p.m. at Eagle Aviation, 2861 Aviation Way in West Columbia near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

The event is open to the public but attendees are asked to R.S.V.P. by calling (803) 726-1111.

While Romney had been leading in South Carolina, new polling show he’s losing ground in the Palmetto State and nationally to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Romney’s last visit to South Carolina was in November when he rallied supporters at EdVenture Children’s Museum.

Bill Clinton greets 500 in Sumter

Former President Bill Clinton hit the campaign trail  in South Carolina Monday, stumping for his wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, telling voters she is one of them.

"All my life, Hillary has been an agent for change in other people's lives," the 42nd president said to a crowd of about 500 people.
"The presidency is about the people. It is not about the president," Bill Clinton told the audience.

Bill Clinton opened a day of campaigning in the state, with stops scheduled in Orangeburg and Columbia later.

The former president shook hands with racially mixed crowd and answered their questions one-on-one after the event.

"I got that handshake," said 51-year-old Betty Williams of Sumter,  who pressed her way through the crowd to get to Bill Clinton.

Why was she so intent on shaking Bill Clinton's hand?

"During the time, he as the best president," she said. "It means a lot to me."

Hillary Clinton is leading among S.C. voters, though the race has tightened in recent weeks with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.

McCain ads hit the radio

Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain has produced the first radio ads of his campaign, which will begin airing today.
The ads feature U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a McCain ally, touting McCain's early support of the need for more troops in Iraq. McCain, Graham said, is prepared to lead.
The ad also pushes the notion that McCain performs best in a hypothetical race against possible Democratic challenger, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.
The McCain campaign declined to discuss on which stations the ads will air.

Oklahoma, Mississippi politicians stump for Obama

Former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus and former Oklahoma Congressman Brad Carson will hold a news conference Monday in Columbia to make their cases for U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy, according to a news release from Obama's S.C. campaign.

Mabus, as Mississippi governor, was praised for his education reform efforts. Carson, a two-term congressman, is a Rhodes Scholar and a former Harvard professor.

Bill Clinton to make two Midlands campaign stops

Former President Bill Clinton will make two campaign stops in the Midlands Monday, according to the Hillary Clinton campaign. Clinton will visit Sumter and Orangeburg, two counties that lean Democratic.

Monday night, Clinton will be the keynote speaker at a Democratic Leadership Conference dinner in honor of former S.C. Gov. Dick Riley, who also served in Clinton's cabinet as education secretary.

Here is Clinton's schedule:

11:45 a.m. President Clinton will address an  Organizing for Change Event at the Sumter County Exhibition Center at 700 W Liberty St.

2:30 p.m. President Clinton Addresses an Organizing for Change Event at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College, Roquemore Auditorium at 3250 Saint Matthews Rd., Orangeburg, SC 29118

Clinton national campaign chair to visit S.C.

Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe will campaign for the Democratic presidential hopeful in South Carolina on Monday.

McAuliffe is a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Also Monday, former President Bill Clinton will be in Columbia as the keynote speaker in a tribute to former S.C. Gov. Dick Riley, who also served eight years in Clinton's cabinet as education secretary. 

McAuliffe, according to a campaign news release, will meet with Young Democrats and faculty at the University of South Carolina–Upstate. McAuliffe will also participate in the opening of the campaign’s Greenville office.

Here is McAuliffe's schedule:

Monday, December 17

9:00 a.m. McAuliffe will meet with college professors and Young Democrats

University of South Carolina – Upstate at 800 University Way in Spartanburg.

Noon. McAuliffe will attend the Greenville Hillary Clinton for President Office opening Greenville Regional Field Office at 1622 E. North Street

Suite 10.

3:00 p.m. Terry McAuliffe will visit Tucker’s Restaurant at 3501 Clemson Blvd. in Anderson

New Web site tracks federal spending in S.C.

A new Web site will allow residents to better track federal spending, including which states and companies receive the most federal contracts and grant awards.

The site, USAspending.gov, was required by a 2006 law.

South Carolina was in the middle of the pack of federal grants received, ranking 25th in the current budget year with a total of $3.7 billion. Over the last eight budget years, South Carolina has received $278.8 billion in federal grants and assistance.

The Second congressional district, represented by U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, was the highest-ranking in the state, coming in 110th nationally with $1.9 billion in government contracts from fiscal 2004 through the first two quarters of the current budget year. U.S. Rep. Jim Moran's northern Virginia district came in first, with $61.3 billion in government contracts over the same period.

McCain stumping in S.C. this weekend

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain will return to South Carolina Friday and Saturday.

The U.S. senator from Arizona will stop in Columbia, James Island, Newberry and Greer.

Here is his schedule.

Friday, December 14, 2007

5:45 p.m McCain will hold a meet and greet at American Legion Post 147 in James Island

Saturday, December 15, 2007

9 a.m. McCain will hold a news conference at The South Carolina State Museum on Gervais Street in Columbia.

10:45 a.m. McCain will deliver the keynote address at Newberry College commencement.

12:15 p.m. McCain will hold a meet and greet on the Newberry

4:45 p.m. McCain will hold a meet and gret at Pete's Drive-In in Greer

Former S.C. Democratic Chairman Endorses Obama

Former S.C. Democratic chairman Joe Erwin announced Tuesday that he will endorse Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. “People want to change and they want a candidate who is not so much about partisanship but about making government work better for people," Erwin said during a press conference call, noting that he especially likes Obama's stance on healthcare and education. “I plan to work aggressively in this campaign," he said.

Author to stump for Obama in Columbia

Samantha Power, a senior policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's campaign, will stop in Columbia and other South Carolina cities Thursday and Friday to talk about Obama's foreign policy objectives.

Power, a Putlitzer Prize-winning author, will talk about Obama's "plan to restore American leadership on the world stage and decrease the risk of terrorism by attacking global poverty and rebuilding international cooperation," according to a campaign news release.

In addition to Columbia, Power will stop in Myrtle Beach and Charleston.

Power is a senior policy adviser on the Obama campaign and Harvard's Anna Lindh Professor of Global Leadership and Public Policy. She won the Pulitzer for her book "A Problem from Hell": America and the Age of Genocide, and she was the founding director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University.  

Romney Endorsed by National Review

Gov. Mitt Romney has been endorsed by National Review, a national conservative magazine. Part of the endorsement reads, "Unlike some other candidates in the race, Romney is a full-spectrum conservative: a supporter of free-market economics and limited government, moral causes such as the right to life and the preservation of marriage, and a foreign policy based on the national interest."

DeMint says Dems stand on earmarks welcome news

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., sent out a news release today welcoming reports that said congressional Democrats may abandon attempts to pass 10,000 earmarks in the federal budget for next fiscal year.

DeMint estimates earmarks accounted for $24 billion of the proposed budget, which is $22 billion over President Bush's spending target.

DeMint has been a leading figure in the movement to end earmarks, which is anonymous spending members of Congress can put in the state budget that often funds pet projects.

 

Libertarians want Paul to run as one of them

The Libertarian National Committee has asked Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul to run as a Libertarian if he fails to win the Republican nomination.

The group, meeting in Charleston yesterday, unanimously voted to ask Paul to seek the nomination. The Libertarian National Convention previously nominated Paul to run for president in 1988.

Paul campaign spokesman Jesse Benton was not immediately available, but Paul was asked at the CNN/YouTube debate on Nov. 28 if he would run as an independent. Paul said his loyalties were to the Republican Party.

"I have no intention of doing this," Paul said, in answering the question. "I am a Republican. I have won 10 times as a Republican."

The Libertarian Party will choose their nominee in Denver over Memorial Day weekend.

Maya Angelou stumps for Clinton in radio ad

Poet Maya Angelou stars in a new South Carolina radio ad in support of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. The ad is the fourth radio spot in the state. It is entitled “My Girl,” and the 60-second spot began playing on radio stations across the state over the  weekend.

In the spot, Dr. Angelou describes her personal support of Hillary and focuses on Hillary’s experience as an advocate for families.

Click here to listen

Here is the transcript.

Maya Angelou:

Hello South Carolina, this is Maya Angelou. Let me tell you about my girl...  Hillary Clinton. As a child, Hillary Clinton was taught that all God’s children are equal, so as a mother she understood that her child wasn’t safe unless all children were safe.

I know what kind of president Hillary Clinton will be because I know who she is.  Hillary Clinton has always been a strong woman and a passionate protector of families.  For 35 years, that’s exactly what she has been doing.

Each generation of African Americans stands on the shoulders of those who came before. Today, the challenges facing us threaten the dreams we have had for our children.  We need a president with the experience and strength  to meet those challenges. I am inspired by Hillary Clinton’s commitment and courage … a daughter, a wife, a mother... my girl.

Sanford warns of the 'ghost of budget past'

Gov. Mark Sanford put out a news release today warning slow revenue growth will create problems in the coming year for lawmakers who'll set state spending. Using references from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Sanford urged lawmakers to curb spending.

Here is the news release:

In light of this week's report by USC economists that South Carolina's economy is expected to slow in the coming year, Governor Sanford today likened the upcoming budget challenges to the old Dickens story A Christmas Carol, warning of ghosts of budgets past, present and future coming back to haunt the state.

The Ghost of Budget Past: Overspending
According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, South Carolina's spending has grown by more than 40 percent over the past three years. By way of comparison, personal incomes in South Carolina have grown by 19 percent over that same time, and population plus inflation has grown by 14 percent. By growing government spending faster than the underlying economy, South Carolina will now face difficulties in paying for core government functions.

The Ghost of Budget Present: Annualizations
Despite a record $1.5 billion in revenue growth last year, budget writers still employed the risky spending practice of annualizations - paying for ongoing expenses with one-time money. The current year's budget contains $270 million in annualizations - which, added to additional costs of things like healthcare and education, means the upcoming budget will be starting essentially $200 million in the hole.

The Ghost of Budget Future:  Retiree Liabilities
South Carolina has roughly $20 billion in unpaid for liabilities tied to retiree pensions and healthcare. Even with $1.5 billion in new money this year, budget writers put nothing toward paying down this liability.

"There are certainly some parallels between this classic Christmas story and the budget situation we're facing, but the reality is no laughing matter," Gov. Sanford said. "We've had some banner years with respect to revenue growth in our state over the past couple of years as the underlying economy has grown. But this week's report again highlighted what we've been saying for the past four years - we have to restrain spending to keep the state from being hit so hard when things slow down, because good times don't last forever. It's looking like some tough choices are going to have to be made in next year's budget that are unfortunately going to have a negative impact for everyone served by state government. This should serve as a wakeup call on the idea of institutionalizing spending restraint to keep this from happening so that we don't continue to find ourselves in situations like this every few years."

Edwards visits his former S.C. home

Sen. John Edwards returned again to his childhood home in Seneca Thursday, accompanied by his father and mother, Wallace and Bobbie Edwards.

They strode up to the smallish, three bedroom house on a hill in a former mill viillage to a throng of media and waiting supporters.

"We love you, John Edwards, someone yelled from a neighboring house in the village.

"I think he stands a better chance of beating the Republicans than anybody else," said Bobbie Edwards.

Edwards helped open the Oconee County  Democratic Party headquarters earlier, where a hundred or so people braved cold winds to wait for him for more than 50 minutes.

"It's great to be back home," he told the crowd.

Trailing in the polls in South Carolina, but in the thick of the race for president in Iowa, Edwards said he thinks 75 percent of voters still haven't focused on the 2008 election.

S.C. House prefiles 38 bills

The S.C. House of Representatives released its list of 38 prefiled bills for the 2008 session, which includes measures to abolish parole, widen death penalty and make it a crime for a school employee to have sex with any student regardless of the student's age.

Right now it is not a crime for a school employee to have a sexual relationship with a student 16 or older, the age of consent in S.C.

PREFILED HOUSE BILLS

Another bill would widen the death penalty, making the murder of a vulnerable punishable by death.

Recently, S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster proposed abolishing parole in South Carolina. Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Richland, introduced a bill that would end the early release program.

Clyburn gala raises $350,000 for endowment

The first biennial Holiday Gala benefiting the James E. and Emily E. Clyburn Endowment for Archives and History at South Carolina State University raised $350,000. This year’s donations bring the Clyburn Endowment total to $1.7 million.

"I am humbled by the support this event has received,”  said U.S. House Majority Whip Clyburn in a news release.  “When Emily and I established the endowment, we sought to address inequities we saw in endowment funding at Historically Black Colleges and (Universities) versus majority institutions.  I hope we are setting an example that other HBCU graduates will follow.”

Jim and Emily Clyburn are 1961 graduates of historically black South Carolina State University.  Their endowment is the largest at their alma mater.  At the time it was established, the total of all other endowments at S.C. State was less than half a million dollars. 

“Emily and I are committed to raising a total of $5 million for this endowment,” Congressman Clyburn continued.  “I am happy to announce the next Holiday Gala will be held in 2009 in Charleston.”

Paul to return to S.C. Saturday

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex., plans to campaign in South Carolina on Saturday.

Paul, who is seeking the Republican nomination for president,  plans to make stops in Rock Hill, Anderson and Greenville.

Details for the Rock Hill and Anderson stops are still being finalized. He is scheduled to speak at the Peace Center in downtown Greenville from 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday evening.

Anti-abortion group endorses Thompson

S.C. Citizens for Life, an anti-abortion group, has endorsed Fred Thompson, the former U.S. senator from Tennessee who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.

S.C. Citizens for Life, headquartered in Columbia, is an affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.

The group works toward limiting abortions and favors a ban on the practice.

South Carolina Citizens for Life to endorse

S.C. Citizens for Life, an anti-abortion group, will announce today which candidate it plans to endorse in the South Carolina presidential primaries.

The group, headquartered in Columbia, is an affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.

Oprah/Obama event moved to Williams-Brice

The Barack Obama campaign event featuring talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has been moved to Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

The Sunday event had been scheduled for the 18,000-seat Colonial Center. But days after settling on the Colonial Center, the campaign says it had given out all available tickets and it kept getting thousands of requests for more.

Clyburn honored by Kansas City Urban League

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn was honored Tuesday at the Urban League of Greater Kansas City 2007 Difference Maker Awards Day Luncheon for his work as a public servant and civil rights activist.

"Representative Clyburn exemplifies the mission of the Urban League in its quest to achieve equality and promote socio-economic opportunity and parity," said Urban League President and CEO Gwen Grant in a news release.

Obama Unveils Religious Endorsements

Sen. Barack Obama's campaign unveiled an expansive list Tuesday of endorsements from both state and national African-American religious leaders. To see a list of South Carolina endorsers, go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/-/SC/Ministers_SC.doc. For national endorsers, visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/-/SC/Ministers_Natl.doc.

Sanford grant money yet to be refunded

A tangle of legal and accounting issues has delayed the return of $101,524 left over from a conference partially funded with public money and given to a political group with close ties to Gov. Mark Sanford.

The money has not yet been returned, said Office of State Treasurer spokesman Scott Malyerck. Helen Hill, executive director of the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the group has sent the money to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

The money has been disputed since state Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington, uncovered the transfer three weeks ago. The Charleston Area CVB received a $150,000 grant from the state competitive grants committee in June 2006 to help host the National Governors Association conference.

Organizers also raised $1.2 million in private donations for the event, which was moved from Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.

After closing the books on the conference, more than $100,000 remained. E-mails obtained under state public information laws show a member of Sanford's staff asked the Charleston CVB to transfer the money to Carolinians for Reform in August.

Carolinians for Reform has not said what it planned to do with the money. After the transfer was discovered, Sanford asked the group to return the money.

But state law restricts the ability of private groups to write a check directly to the state treasury, Malyerck said. Hill said the money had to be returned through the Charleston CVB, who received the original grant.

The Charleston CVB had to answer accounting questions about the grant money, which was spent on its original purpose of transportation, she said, before the money could be returned.

"They're going to return it through us," Hill said of Carolinians for Reform. "We're working it out. It should be done this week. It just took a little longer than we thought."

Edwards To Visit Seneca Thursday

  On Thursday, Sen. John Edwards will return to his birthplace of Seneca to open the new Oconee County Democratic Party Headquarters and address more than 1,000 high school seniors at the Generation Next Votes 2008 forum. Generation Next Votes 2008 is a voter registration program which will aim to register 1,000 students from the Oconee County School District in one day. 
  Earlier this month, Edwards became the first Democratic to launch television ads in South Carolina. The campaign has aired three South Carolina ads to date.

Oprah/Obama Event Sold Out

   Because of overwhelming demand, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign has closed ticket distribution for Sunday's rally with Oprah Winfrey at the Colonial Center.
  People still interested in going to the event are encouraged to submit their names to a waiting list at sc.barackobama.com/oprah_sc. Or names can be submitted by visiting the Obama Midlands headquarters at 1025 Calhoun St. in Columbia.

Giuliani, Clinton tops in new S.C. poll

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani still leads the Republican field, but former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has more than tripled his support in a month, according to an American Research Group poll released Monday.

Huckabee jumped to 18 percent from 5 percent since the October poll, placing him third among the eight-man field. A Clemson University Palmetto poll released last week showed similar growth in Huckabee's South Carolina support, while showing Giuliani had fallen from the front of the GOP field.

In the ARG poll, Giuliani is holding steady at 23 percent, while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has slipped to second, though still in a statistical tie with Giuliani, down eight percentage points to 21 percent. Former Tennessee U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson was in fourth at 13 percent, while Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain was fifth at 10 percent.

Among Democrats, New York U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton still has more than twice the support of her nearest rival, Illinois U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, and the two have further distanced themselves form the rest of the Democratic field.

Clinton registered 45 percent support among those polled, while Obama stood at 21 percent. In third place was former North Carolina U.S. Sen. John Edwards, who fell to 12 percent from 18 percent in October.

The poll, conducted monthly, surveyed 600 likely voters in each party's primary and has a margin of error of 4 percent.

Thompson in S.C. this week

Republican presidential hopeful and former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson will be in South Carolina this week, starting Tuesday.

Thompson will spend his time in the heavily Republican Upstate and will conclude his two-day swing in Lexington.

Thompson's schedule includes:

Tuesday, December 4

Meet Fred Thompson
WHEN: 12:15 pm
WHERE: Wade's Southern Cooking
100 North Pine Street,
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Fred Thompson visits Blue Ridge Shooting Sport Store
WHEN: 2:00 pm
WHERE: Blue Ridge Shooting Sport Store
3559 Ballenger Road
Greer, SC 29651

Meet Fred Thompson
WHEN: 6:00 pm
WHERE: Market Square Deli
2029 Wade Hampton Blvd
Greenville, SC 29615

Wednesday, December 5th

Meet Fred Thompson
WHEN: 8:45 am
WHERE Garren's Restaurant
133 E. Main St
Pickens, SC 29671

Fred Thompson visits Grady's Great Outdoors
WHEN: 10:45 am
WHERE: Grady's Great Outdoors
3440 Clemson Blvd
Anderson, SC 29621

Meet Fred Thompson
WHEN: 12:30 pm
WHERE: Mama Penn's Restaurant
2802 N. Main Street
Anderson, SC 29621

Meet Fred Thompson
WHEN: 6:00 pm
WHERE: Flight Deck Restaurant
109 Old Chapin Road
Lexington, SC 29071