I was just chatting with South Carolina’s own Kathleen Parker, nationally syndicated columnist, who says, in part:

“I think it’s between McCain and Huckabee, with Thompson as the surprise – if there is one.”

She says, “South Carolina is really hard to predict because it’s really such a diverse state. Upcountry around G’ville / S’burg is going with Huckabee. Midlands (Columbia) is more middle of the road, probably leaning toward Thompson/Romney; Lowcountry (Charleston) is more relaxed and will go for McCain.”

And adds: “I do know this: Thompson made a smart move by visiting bunches of small towns recently. Huge picture of him on the front page of our little local Camden newspaper, signing autographs. People see that and say, ‘hey, I like Fred. He came to our town. He cares.’ No one since 1980 has won the presidency without visiting Camden and Fred’s the only one who has this time.”