Jeb Bush makes his first pitch to South Carolina voters
When Jeb Bush takes the stage Tuesday morning in South Carolina, the GOP presidential race begins a new phase as the crowded field seeks to appeal in the first-in-the-South presidential primary state.
If the Iowa caucuses test a candidate's organizational prowess and New Hampshire provides an opportunity to appeal to GOP moderates and undeclared voters, then South Carolina offers a broader challenge. To do well in the Palmetto State, a Republican eyeing the White House must win over fiscal conservatives, evangelical voters and those driven by social issues, and the pro-military types who want a strong national defense.
"South Carolina is a test of projectability," said South Carolina GOP Chairman Matt Moore in an interview with Paste BN. "If you win in South Carolina, you can win the nomination and the presidency."
Bush's two-day visit begins with a speech before the Upstate Chamber Coalition in Greenville before appearing at a school and then joining South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to speak about domestic violence. He'll also host a fundraising event in the evening, before wrapping up with a breakfast speech Wednesday in Myrtle Beach.
Haley, a potential vice presidential choice, credits Bush with giving her key advice when she first ran for governor in 2010. The former Florida governor campaigned for Haley last year and visited the state in December to give the commencement address at the University of South Carolina.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker arrives Thursday for a two-day swing and tickets to his events in Columbia, Greenville, Rock Hill and Charleston are going fast, Moore said. This will be Walker's first visit to the state since 2013, when he came out to support Haley's bid for a second term.
In some ways, Bush and Walker -- the leading GOP contenders at this early stage of the presidential race -- have ground to make up. Marco Rubio and Rand Paul have visited the state often, as have Ted Cruz, Bobby Jindal and Rick Santorum.
Lindsey Graham, the state's senior senator testing the waters for a presidential bid, also looms large in South Carolina but a recent Winthrop Poll shows registered voters are lukewarm to him seeking the White House.
Moore said the South Carolina GOP will soon make official the date of next year's presidential primary. Rules set by the Republican National Committee give Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina first dibs next February, with penalties in place for states that try to jump the line.
He expects a spirited contest. "Our state motto is 'smiling faces, beautiful places,' " Moore said. "But don't let that fool you. South Carolina politics are cutthroat."