Orangeburg County’s political leaders are divided among a variety of presidential candidates, but when it comes to who’s getting the most financial support, there’s one clear winner.

Former Sen. John Edwards has raked in the most political donations in the region including Orangeburg County, with the Democrat and South Carolina native collecting $9.750 so far, according to the Federal Election Commission. He’s followed close behind by Republican Sen. John McCain, who’s collected $9.025 in the area.

Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are a distant third in the area, with the Democrats collecting less than $3,000 apiece so far. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is the only other Republican to break the $1,000 mark in the region.

But when it comes to endorsements, the locals are split. State Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, is firmly in the Edwards camp. State Sen. John Matthews is the state co-chair of Clinton’s campaign.

Endorsements are an important part of selling anything. LeBron James is a large reason why Nike basketball shoes fly off the shelves so fast, just as Bob Seger’s “Like a Rock” song was instrumental in selling thousands of Chevrolet trucks.

Endorsements can either make or break a product, but standing alone, endorsements can not make a product successful.

The same principle holds true for political endorsements, especially ones for president ial candidates, according to University of South Carolina political science professor and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler.

“They are helpful, but they are no way decisive. They bring credibility to the candidates, but that alone does not translate into votes,” Fowler said.

In terms of endorsing presidential candidates during this election cycle, local leaders and party officials are in many cases reluctant to cast an endorsement so soon in the process. Others are taking an active role in campaigns.

Hutto is not involved on a day-to-day basis with the Edwards campaign, however he is participating in weekly conference calls with the former North Carolina senator as well as attending most of Edwards’ appearances in the state. Hutto estimates that his role in the campaign will grow larger once the time to actually cast a vote gets closer.

“When the primary gets closer, my involvement will get heavy,” Hutto said.

State Rep. Jerry Govan’s involvement in Delaware Sen. Joe Biden’s camp has gotten heavy already. He is co-chair of the steering committee in charge of deciding the direction of the state campaign, in addition to recruiting key elected officials.

Govan said he endorsed Biden because of their long relationship that goes back more than 20 years and his stance on education and the Iraq war.

“He has the best plan to address the crisis,” Govan said about Biden’s plan to broker a power-sharing agreement in Iraq between the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds.

Former Calhoun County Republican Party Chairman Max Kaster said he has narrowed his list down to three or four candidates, and really likes former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Kaster said now is not the time to solidly commit to a single candidate.

“It’s way too early for that,” he said.

Like Kaster, State House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, is waiting for someone to grab his attention. Once that someone does, Ott said he will play an active role in their South Carolina organization.

State Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Denmark, is already drumming up support for Sen. Barack Obama. Sellers has spoken for Obama several times at events, and also serves on the state steering committee of the campaign.

“The campaign is going awesome, it’s unlike any other,” he said.

Orangeburg County Republican Party Chairman Jim Ulmer said he decided to support Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback after researching every candidate, but a Rolling Stone article on him sealed the deal.

“It told an awful lot about him, how he’s right on with family, domestic and international affairs,” Ulmer said.

With Brownback lagging behind the top-tier candidates in recent polls for the GOP nomination, Ulmer said he would definitely support whoever captures the nomination.

“Any of them would be a good president compared to what the other folks have to offer,” he said.

Betty Henderson, chairwoman of the Orangeburg County Democratic Party, says that all the candidates of her party are qualified and any of them would make an excellent president. Which one of them is the best in Henderson’s eyes has yet to come into view, but she is very excited about the depth of the Democratic field and that is making her decision tougher.

In the meantime, Henderson is organizing a “Get Out the Vote” campaign in Orangeburg to get people registered and will continue to meet with people in the community to mobilize voters.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, does not traditionally endorse any candidate for president and said that she most likely will continue that policy this time. She cautions voters to not let the media make up their minds about who is the best candidate. She recommends that voters determine that by studying them and the issues.

Cobb-Hunter is pleased that South Carolina has the potential to impact the presidential race. With the Palmetto State being the first southern state to hold a primary, that puts the competition for local endorsements at a premium.

“If a politician has an organization put together and operating for his own election, and then a politician endorses a candidate and turns that over to them, it can have value,” Fowler said.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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