Presidential hopeful comes to USC

Four days before the South Carolina Democratic Primary, presidential hopeful John Kerry visited the University of South Carolina.

Although Senator Kerry was scheduled to appear at a forum with candidates John Edwards, Al Sharpton, Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich across town, he chose to remain at USC where he hoped to drum up support from young voters and veterans.

Kerry brought with him a political all-star back-up cast.
Among his big name supporters were Representative James Clyburn, Senator Fritz Hollings, Alex Sanders and Max Cleland.

Clyburn, D-SC, had only the day before announced his endorsement of Kerry. Clyburn, addressing the crowd, said he wanted a substantial leader for this country. "We want someone that when they land on an aircraft carrier they will have substance and meaning," Clyburn said.

Senator Fritz Hollings, D-SC, was also with Kerry to lend his support. Although Hollings plans to retire this year, his support in South Carolina is important.

Alex Sanders, former president of the College of
Charleston who ran for Strom Thurmond's Senate seat in 2002, officiated Kerry's town hall meeting.

Another well-known politician that came to support
Kerry was the former U.S Senator from Georgia, Max
Cleland.

Cleland, a Vietnam War veteran like Kerry, says he knows what qualities a Commander in Chief should possess. Qualities he believes John Kerry has. "We need a Commander in Chief who cares for his troops," Cleland said.

Kerry refrained from criticizing his Democratic opponents but did take aim at the president. "I'm here to point out what's happening as this administration moves in a radically wrong direction," Kerry told his audience.

Kerry stressed many of the main points of his campaign; veterans affairs, bringing troops home from Iraq, increasing funding for education and bringing jobs back to America.

The South Carolina Democratic Primary is considered an important contest in the race toward the Democratic National Party nomination for president. The first-in-the-South primary in the past has been a strong indicator of who will receive the national party nomination.

With John Kerry's strong showing of support in Iowa and New Hampshire he hoped to capture South Carolina's electoral votes. Senator John Edwards of North Carolina seemed to be Kerry's only real competition in this primary

Reported by:

Danielle Bradley

Danielle Bradley is a graduate from Pickens High School in Pickens South Carolina, a small town tucked
away in the Upstate of South Carolina.
Although Danielle attended the University of Georgia
for two and a half years and the University of South
Carolina Spartanburg for a year and a half, she chose
to finish her broadcasting degree at the Columbia
campus of USC.
Danielle enjoys being a member of Carolina News and
hopes to continue learning more about the broadcasting
profession after she graduates with a career in
reporting or anchoring.