It’s no secret that the presidential election on Nov. 4 will make history no matter which candidate wins. For the first time, either an African-American or a woman will hold one of the top two elected offices in the land.

And local Republican and Democratic officials agree that the accepted political wisdom of the past is about to be set on its ear. They say local voters should be more motivated to show up at the polls since new social and political dynamics will make this election anyone’s ballgame.

One of the most accepted concepts in South Carolina is that the state falls solidly into the Republican ledger during national elections, thereby negating any need for Democrats to spend campaign dollars on the national campaign.

Orangeburg County Republican Party Chairman James Ulmer is quick to dismiss that kind of thinking on the part of Republican voters and strategists.

“The Democratic Party is planning to spend $1.6 million in South Carolina during the presidential campaign,” Ulmer said. “That equates to about 20 percent of what the winning candidate is estimated to need during the next gubernatorial race.

“The South Carolina Republican Party and the Republican National Committee cannot afford to take for granted that folks on either side are going to vote in November the way they have always voted. This will be a 50-state campaign and our side takes it seriously, too.”

When asked why this year’s general election is so important to local voters, Republican and Democratic Party leaders in the T&D Region again agree that candidates at both the state and national level present a clear distinction on the hot-button issues.

Calhoun County GOP Chairman John Nelson said, “The real issue is that the two presidential candidates have competing interests on spending and taxation, dictating where it is our country needs to go. They are also different on the social issues that are very important to South Carolina voters in general.”

Nelson said, “Calhoun is split on the state races with Rep. Joe Wilson of the 2nd Congressional District on the upper end and Rep. Jim Clyburn in the 6th Congressional District on the lower end. The naming of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as Sen. John McCain’s running mate should also bring more attention to Nancy Harrelson’s campaign for Rep. Clyburn’s seat.”

As with any election, political strategists feel that targeting certain voter segments is crucial to victory.

Orangeburg County Democratic Party Chairwoman Betty Henderson says she sees the turnout of young adults, traditionally among the weakest of any voter group, as the linchpin of a Barack Obama win.

“The Orangeburg Democratic Party is targeting the young,” Henderson said. “We have been talking to folks at the local colleges and universities about becoming registered to vote, and the response has been strong.

“I’m constantly getting e-mails and phone calls from young people who are excited and want to participate. We’ve already signed up 100 or so who want to volunteer. We want those folks to come out.”

Voter registration drives are planned at both Voorhees College and Denmark Technical College, according to Bamberg County Democratic Party Chairman Clair Guess.

“We have a different kind of legacy in Bamberg County in that all the county constitutional offices are held by Democrats and with such a wide chasm in the stand of both presidential candidates, this election is very important,” Guess said.

T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com and by phone at 803-533-5540. Comment on this and other stories online at www.TheTandD.com.

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