Orangeburg and South Carolina are crucial to Hillary Clinton's White House bid, her campaign chairman, Terry McAuliffe, said Thursday.

McAuliffe, in Orangeburg for the opening of Clinton's regional campaign office, said the New York senator needs to win South Carolina's Democratic primary in order to show strength in the Southern states.

"Coming out of here with a big strong win sends a strong message for the general election," said McAuliffe of the Palmetto State.

McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman, said he thinks that Clinton is the best candidate because her message plays well in all 50 states.

"We're here to play in South Carolina; we're here to play everywhere," said McAuliffe.

If Clinton were to secure the Democratic nomination for president, she would continue to campaign in South Carolina for the general election, according to McAuliffe. Historically Democratic, South Carolina has swung solidly Republican in recent years.

State Sen. John Matthews of Bowman, state co-chair for the Clinton campaign, introduced McAuliffe with an interesting story about his past. When he was 23 years old, McAuliffe campaigned for Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign. In order to get a $15,000 donation for the campaign, McAuliffe wrestled an alligator.

"That's how dedicated he is to the party," Matthews said of McAuliffe.

After being introduced by Matthews, McAuliffe told the crowd of his admiration for the Clinton family.

"I love the Clintons; most expensive friends I've ever had," he said.

McAuliffe said he'd played golf with Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, earlier in the day. He said the twosome tied after Clinton drained a 30-foot putt on the last hole.

"Sometimes the stars are just shining on President Clinton," he said.

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