Huck, Fred's different support
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 1:56 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
2008, Huckabee, Thompson, South Carolina
From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Huckabee’s rally today at Greenville Technical College was a marked difference from Thompson’s earlier about 50 minutes away. Aside from setting -- a modern college auditorium versus local restaurant -- it was also one of feel. The pulse of support was much more palpable at Huckabee’s. There was enthusiasm, as chants of “I like Mike” broke out on a number of occasions. Fred’s event was much more serene.
The topics were also different. Huckabee took no questions, but, looking relaxed and in place, he struck a populist appeal as he led off talking about the souring economy. He lamented unemployment in South Carolina jumping to 6.6% and chided other Republicans for not seeing a downturn coming, accusing them of being out of touch.
The economy is not going well “if you talk to those working in kitchens, driving the cab and not sitting in the back seat, those working on the factory floor,” Huckabee told about 300 in attendance.
The faces in the crowd were also a bit different from Thompson’s. Compared to Thompson’s slightly older, predominantly male crowd, Huckabee’s consisted of more families, middle-age moms and young people -- the latter likely by virtue of location. Huckabee’s crowd also smiled a lot more while he spoke.
They even seemed more upbeat when leaving, the kind of upbeat you see on Sundays after a service. And why not? The former Southern Baptist preacher was on stage, making his humanistic appeal and quoting scripture again. This time, Isaiah, in his closing.
“I know where I come from,” Huckabee said, after reminding voters explicitly of his Southern roots. “It’s good earth. Tomorrow, South Carolina, I need you. Get your friends, neighbors and people you work with. Let’s make history tomorrow.”
NOTES: GOP voters here seem very undecided. One man here said he liked Huckabee, but wasn't sure. He liked McCain too, but his decision wasn't just going to be between those two apparently. He also likes Romney, he said, and threw in that he doesn't care if he's Mormon unprompted. When asked about Thompson, he said, "I like Thompson." But wasn't committed to any of them at all. Issue of most saliency to him: illegal immigration. "When are these people going to learn that we can't have anyone else die at the hands of another illegal?" he asked. But national security, "someone who'll keep us safe," nearly matched the his fervor on immigration.
