SC voters expect favorites to rise in first GOP debate
S.C. Republican voters will get a close look at their choices for president Thursday in two televised events.
New York real estate mogul Donald Trump, polling in first place, and nine other top-10 GOP candidates will appear in a prime-time debate on Fox News at 9 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham – South Carolina’s underdog candidate, polling fourth in his home state and 15th nationally – will join other lower-tier hopefuls in a 5 p.m. forum.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are running second and third, respectively, to Trump in an average of national polls.
Trump and Bush also are running in first and second in an average of S.C. polls. But they are trailed in the Palmetto State by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Graham of Seneca.
S.C. Republicans backing the top candidates are eager to see their favorites deliver break-out performances Thursday. Many, surprised at Trump’s rapid ascent, also will be watching to see whether the New Yorker’s frontrunner status will last.
Trump: Driving the debate
Expecting his first child, the software company representative and former staffer for two S.C. governors said Trump “cares deeply about this country and cares so much that he would forgo his personal fortune ... to help us out of the mess we find ourselves in.”
Evans expects Trump to shine Thursday night, adding, “I anticipate fully that there will be a little jousting. .. He is going to be himself. He can’t be anybody other than who he is.”
Evans wants to hear Trump expand on what policies he would push if elected, including immigration reform. He also defended Trump’s willingness to fire back at challengers.
“(T)o drive the debate, sometimes you have to say things that may rub people in the wrong way or make people feel uncomfortable,” Evans said.
Bush: A moderate, positive choice
The 46-year-old president of an upscale restaurant group said Bush’s leadership record — including passing statewide private-school choice and cutting taxes — appeals to him. Bush’s moderate, positive message also sets him apart from other candidates, he said.
“Some of the candidates in this race, they love to spout rhetoric and talking points about different things. But I don’t think they can legitimately” win the nomination, Parsell said, adding Bush likely will come under fire.
“The only person who’s going to draw more attention (than Bush) is Trump,” he added.
Walker: ‘Not going to cave’
Shadwell, 29, said Walker showed his “unwavering conservative beliefs” when he proposed eliminating collective bargaining rights for Wisconsin state employees and won a recall election that followed.
“He fought against the unions and didn’t stop until he beat them,” she said.
“Inflated polling numbers, like Trump’s, are going to cave,” Shadwell predicted. “Trump will be his usual, boorish, aggressive self, and it’s going to burst his numbers.”
Carson: Must be bolder
A retired school teacher from Clemson, Robin Mahony said she’s impressed with Carson’s conservative values. But Mahony also appreciates the way the retired surgeon speaks “so eloquently without demeaning other politicians or other candidates.”
“That might be Donald Trump’s undoing in the long run,” she said.
Mahony, 60, hopes S.C. voters will pick Carson as their candidate after they see him debate Thursday. But Carson may want to amp up his soft-spoken voice, she added.
“He needs to be a little bolder, without being in your face (or) confrontational,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind seeing (him be) a little bit more confrontational.”
Graham: ‘As good ... as we can get’
“I thought his numbers would be way better. He’s on the news every Sunday. He’s well known,” said the 53-year-old president of a Chevrolet dealership in Edgefield.
Pendarvis said Graham’s strong suits are foreign policy and working with Republicans and Democrats to move legislation forward.
“If something were to hit big here, Lindsey’s numbers would go way up,” Pendarvis predicted.
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How to watch
Fox News will televise two GOP presidential primary events Thursday:
5 p.m. – Forum with Carly Fiorina, Jim Gilmore, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum
9 p.m. – Debate with the Top 10 GOP candidates: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump and Scott Walker
Where they are polling
Average of GOP presidential primary polls:
Nationally: Donald Trump, 23.2%; Jeb Bush, 12.8%; Scott Walker, 10.6%; Mike Huckabee, 6.6%; Ben Carson, 6.6%; Ted Cruz, 6.2%; Marco Rubio, 5.2%; Rand Paul, 4.8%; Chris Christie, 3.4%; John Kasich, 2.8%; Rick Perry, 2%; Rick Santorum, 1.4%; Bobby Jindal, 1.2%; Carly Fiorina, 1%; Lindsey Graham, 0.4%
S.C. GOP primary – Trump, 22%; Bush, 15%; Carson, 12%; Graham, 9%; Huckabee, 7.5%; Walker, 6%; Rubio, 5.5%; Cruz, 3%; Perry, 3%; Paul, 2.5%; Fiorina, 2%; Christie, 1.5%; Kasich, 1.5%; Santorum, 1%; Jindal, 0.5%
SOURCE: Rankings from Real Clear Politics average of polls
This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 9:04 PM.