Buchanan Stumps in S.C.

By Gene Randall/CNN

CLEARWATER, S.C. (Feb. 28) -- Pat Buchanan, disappointed by his third-place finish in Arizona, used a long-shut down textile plant here today as a backdrop to talk about Americans' economic worries.

He laid some of those worries at the foot of Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.), his rival in the race for the GOP nomination, who toured a BMW auto plant to talk about the importance of free trade.

"We're going to put the spotlight on the people that lose when these trade deals that are cut by Beltway Bob, the bellhop of the business roundtable," Buchanan told a crowd. (116K AIFF or WAV sound)

Buchanan headed east to campaign here even before they finished counting the votes in Arizona. In Atlanta, he acknowledged the outcome was a setback in his drive for the nomination. "Clearly, it's (the race) going to be a longer, more drawn-out affair," he said. Buchanan looks to South Carolina's primary on Saturday and Georgia next Tuesday to ease the pain of his lost opportunity in the west.

Political analyst Charles Cook said South Carolina could be just the place for him to get back on track. "I think Buchanan can do very, very well in southern states and I think his message lends itself to the South," Cook said. "Working-class anxiety and a strong conservative message and social issues like abortion go over very well in the south."

Buchanan continues to stir strong feelings in some Republican sectors. Former Education Secretary William Bennett, who is supporting former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander, said he could not support Buchanan if he becomes the Republican nominee.

"But don't worry, he won't be the nominee," Bennett said. "If he is the nominee, there'll be a third party." Bennett ripped some of Buchanan's tough talk about legal and illegal immigration.

"Thanks to the United States and the blessings of liberty offered to his grandparents and mine, we're able to engage in rhetorical debate about these things," Bennett said. "This really is a stinking, rotten attitude." (132K AIFF or WAV sound)

Apparently unmoved by such criticism, Buchanan's southern strategy includes branding his rivals as politically unpalatable to both fiscal and social conservatives.

"It is valid to point out that Senator Dole voted for tax increases 16 times and that Steve Forbes is really pro-choice on abortion up to the six month of pregnancy," Buchanan said in a CNN interview.

Buchanan expects a tough, issues-oriented campaign in the next three days. Given what's at stake -- 37 delegates and the spotlight heading into the "Junior Tuesday" primaries on March 5 -- expect a lot of name-calling from all sides between now and Saturday's voting.

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