Fred Thompson Cruises Though South Carolina

Thompson cruises through S.C.

By RODDIE A. BURRIS - rburris@thestate.com

(Jan 8, 2008) Republican Presidential Candidate Fred Thompson walks with his wife Jeri Kehn Thompson and Camden City Councilman, Ned Towell during a visit on Main Street in the Kershaw County city on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2007. Photo by Lindsay Semple / lsemple@thestate.com">(Jan 8, 2008) Republican Presidential Candidate Fred Thompson walks with his wife Jeri Kehn Thompson and Camden City Councilman, Ned Towell during a visit on Main Street in the Kershaw County city on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2007. Photo by Lindsay Semple / lsemple@thestate.com" border="0" height="306" width="300">

Lindsay Semple/ lsemple@thestate

(Jan 8, 2008) Republican Presidential Candidate Fred Thompson walks with his wife Jeri Kehn Thompson and Camden City Councilman, Ned Towell during a visit on Main Street in the Kershaw County city on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2007. Photo by Lindsay Semple / lsemple@thestate.com

GOP hopeful looks ahead during N.H. primary

They were voting in New Hampshire, but Fred Thompson was stumping in South Carolina.

The television actor and former Tennessee U.S. senator became the first of the 2008 presidential candidates to arrive here Tuesday, abandoning the nation’s first primary and casting his lot in the Palmetto State.

Tuesday, he opened an 11-day bus tour, campaigning in Greenville, Lexington, Camden and Columbia. Political analysts think Thompson might need to win the Jan. 19 GOP presidential primary to keep his campaign viable.

“This is his kinda state,” said Yusef Hameen, 54, of Camden, who wandered out of his Broad Street clothing store to see the commotion caused by Thompson’s afternoon arrival. “That’s why he’s here early. He’s a Southerner, so he got here ahead of the rest, which tells me he thinks it’s worth it." [more here]