Hey everybody, David Brody here in South Carolina for the South's first primary vote. My producer Robin Mazyck and I will be updating you live, throughout the night.
Robin will be bringing you updates from John McCain central in Charleston, S.C., and I will be updating you from Huckabee headquarters in Columbia, S.C.
Comments? Send David or Robin an e-mail. For more up-to-minute returns on the South Carolina race, click here.
10:50 p.m. - Robin
Well, the excitement is slowly dying here at McCain headquarters. There are a few reporters getting ready to do live shots for their 11 p.m. newscasts. But for the most part, camera and radio crews are breaking down their equipment, packing up and heading on to the next crucial race in election 2008.
As soon as I finish this blog entry, I'm going to head out myself. As always, I had so much fun guest blogging for The Brody File tonight. David, Jonah -our photographer- and I are headed to Myrtle Beach next to cover the Democrats who will debate one another in the Congressional Black Caucus, CNN Debate Monday night.
Talk to you all in cyberspace later!!!
10:30 p.m. - Robin
I just talked to Rick Davis, McCain's national campaign manager and he told me the entire campaign is elated about tonight's win.
"We're very happy. The people of South Carolina have given us a very nice gift," he said. I asked him about their strategy going forward, and he said they were going to continue to take McCain's "blend of experience, and knowledge… to the American people."
When I asked him how they plan to win Florida, Davis said they were going to keep the campaign clean by not attacking people, but focusing on the issues.
And with that, they're off. The entire McCain campaign boarded the "Straight Talk Express" bus. McCain campaigns in Miami and Jacksonville, Fla., Monday.
10:09 p.m. - Robin
McCain is still speaking, but he can barely say anything, because the crowd is going wild! They're all chanting "U-S-A!" in unison.
10:04 p.m. - Robin
McCain is now speaking. Here's what he said so far: Thank you, my friends, and thank you, South Carolina, for bringing us across the finish line first in the first in the south primary. It took us a while, but what's eight years among friends. It just gave us the opportunity to spend more time in this beautiful state; to talk with you and listen to you; and to come to admire all the more the deep patriotism of South Carolinians, who have sacrificed so much to defend our country from its enemies.
It is a great privilege to have come to know so many of you, and I am very grateful for and humbled by the support you have given our campaign.
Thank you especially, for braving the very un-South Carolina like weather today to exercise the first responsibility of an American; not just those South Carolinians who voted for us, but all of you who voted today for the candidate you believe is best suited to lead the country you love. I think I can speak for all of the Republican candidates, when I say, South Carolinians are never just fair weather friends.
And, of course, I am deeply grateful to our South Carolina team, and to the many dedicated volunteers who gave so generously of their time and labor and kept us competitive in some pretty challenging times. I hope you know how much your friendship means to me. The debt I owe you is a privilege and an obligation, which I promise you, I will faithfully discharge.
I want to thank my wife, Cindy, the best campaigner in the family, and my daughters Meghan and Sidney, who are with us tonight, as well as my son, Doug, and our children who could not be here, and of course, my dear mother, Roberta McCain.
10 p.m. - Robin
McCain is here! he just took to the stage. They're playing the theme song from "Rocky," and the crowd is going wild!! They yelling and cheering. The man in front of me just hoisted his 4 year-old-daughter on his shoulders.
Everybody is screaming "The Mac is Back!"
10 p.m. - David
Huckabee has finished his concession speech. I noticed a few people in his staff getting emotional on stage. His daughter Sarah looked sad.
Listen, let's call this for what it is. This is a tough one to take for Huckabee. There was an expectation here that he would win because of his southern roots and Evangelical pull. It didn't quite work out. In his speech, Huckabee said that "the game has not ended" and that "we will wake up to fight another day."
Here's why Huckabee has hope. First of all, it's not like he embarrased himself down here. A close second is not humiliating. Also, in a jumbled race that now moves to Florida, Giuliani is about to lower the boom on McCain. If McCain gets knocked down a peg or two that helps Huckabee. But let's not forget that Fred Thompson is probably going to get out of the race. McCain will pick up some of those supporters, but Huckabee may be able to grab enough to pick up a head of steam.
I'll have a lot more to say about this later tonight. Watch for my analysis on The Brody File. Robin and I are heading to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Sunday to cover the Democrat debate Monday down there.
Don't foget: while the Republicans head to Florida, Hillary and Barack come here to S.C. and we'll be here to cover it. So for now, signing off from the live blogging.
By the way, the final total on food was: three chicken fingers, two egg rolls, countless crackers and cheese, and six pinneapple slices. Pass the Pepto-Bismol!
9:39 p.m. - Robin
S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, the co-chair of McCain's South Carolina office had the following to say about McCain's win:
We are thrilled with tonight's results and grateful that Republicans from the Palmetto State chose John McCain as their candidate for president. We are proud of the campaign we ran in the state and grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm from our staff and hundreds of volunteers.
South Carolina voters recognized that John McCain is the only candidate with the experience and judgment necessary to lead as commander in chief from day one, and the only Republican who can beat the Democratic nominee in November. I am confident that voters in Florida will make a similar decision to nominate John McCain
9:35 p.m. - Robin
The room is silent. We're listening to Huckabee's concession speech. Cheers just erupted when Huckabee talked about running a clean and civil campaign.
9:35 p.m. - David
Huckabee on stage now. He is thanking Mccain for running a decent civil campaign and says he would rather lose with honor than attack and win with dishonor. He says don't count him out telling this cheering crowd, "It''s a process and the process is far far from over."
9:24 p.m. - David
This place is silent. Long faces. The reality is setting in.
With John McCain the projected winner, the question now is two-fold: if Huckabee can't win S.C., can he recover enough to pick up enough delegates to recover? And now that John McCain is the frontrunner, will he pick up steam or will the other candidates gang up on him?
I've been told Huckabee will be out here in a few minutes to deliver his concession speech.
9:20 p.m. - Robin
McCain has just been declared the winner of the S.C. GOP Primary. This new win is expected to give him a major boost as he heads to Florida next week.
But it's not over yet. Rudy Giuliani is in the Sunshine State stumping hard for votes. We'll soon see if his hard work paid off.
Talk about a wild ride. Wow! This race is like a roller coaster ride. It's topsy turvy! McCain is expected to arrive momentarily. I'll share excerpts of his speech with you as soon as he gets here.
9:19 p.m. - Robin
The crowd here is going WILD!! FOX News just declared McCain the winner of the S.C. GOP Primary! I can't even think straight because it's so loud! Everyone is chanting "The Mac is Back!"
9:18 p.m. - David
The Associated Press has just called the primary in S.C. for John McCain.
9:10 p.m. - Robin
We're all biting our nails here! This race is still too close to call. But the McCain Campaign is very optimistic. They are ready to celebrate. McCain is almost ready to make his grand appearance.
8:56 p.m. - Robin
One of the really cool things about covering these events is that you run into the same journalists over and over again. I just finished talking to my new friend from Orland who works for Globo TV which is based in Brazil. I first met Orlando at the Sen. Barack Obama's Iowa Caucus party. Orlando hit me in the back with his camera. He apologized and we went our separate ways.
When Orlando walked by me tonight, he recognized me and we struck up a conversation. He asked me how the delegate count was determined, and I explained everything to him.
We're now bosom buddies.
8:45 p.m. - Robin
Even though Huckabee seems to be closing in on McCain, people here in seem to be in a good mood. They're very optimistic.
An announcement was just made that McCain is beating Huckabee in the Piedmont. McCain has 5,500 votes to Huckabee's 5,400.
Everyone's cheering and clapping! Now they're playing The Jackson Five's "I'll Be There."
8:45 p.m. - David
On a seperate note, Thompson's third place showing so far tonight is very disappointing and you have to expect him to drop out of the race very soon. My guess is I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen tomorrow.
You know he's going to endorse McCain. That's a no-brainer. The question is how much of his support will go to McCain, or can Huckabee pull some of it away. Thompson supporters have concerns about Huckabee on a host of issues including taxes, foreign policy and credibility.
8:40 p.m. - David
This place is buzzing with excitement. New poll numbers just flashed on the screen showing Huckabee has closed the gap to four points and the crowd starting chanting, "Four more points, Four more points." Then it closed to three points and the crowd began with "Three more points, three more points."
The people in this room are now chanting "Huck-A-Bee" and "I Like Mike." They believe they're going to pull this out. At least that's what they hope.
8:28 p.m. - David
By the way, we don't even have a winner yet in S.C., but Giuliani is already hitting McCain and Romney on taxes in Florida. Read below:
I'm running against good men, some very fine, all of whom have very good motivation. But there's a big difference. I supported the Bush tax cuts. John McCain voted with the Democrats against the Bush tax cuts -- twice. And Mitt Romney did not, clearly, support the Bush tax cuts.
Folks, Florida is going to be sick. No matter what happens in S.C., you're going to have four candidates competing hard there and the polls are tight as can be in the Sunshine State.
8:20 p.m. - David
Former South Carolina Governor David Beasley, who has been traveling around the state with Mike Huckabee these last few days, just took the stage here and said, "We're going to pull this out before the night is over. Don't be discouraged. We're going to have a victory tonight."
He says the numbers from the very conservative upstate area HAVE NOT come in yet. That is GREAT news for Huckabee. The people here now are feeling much better and chants of "Huckabee, Huckabee" are bouncing all over this room.
8:20 p.m. - Robin
I've just been told that Sen. McCain is still at his hotel watching the returns. As soon as the race is called, Sen. McCain will make his way over to the Citadel.
The music just started. How do you like "Baby Love," by the Supremes? A group of people just walked by me snapping…
8:14 p.m. - David
I just spoke with Adam Piper, part of the Huckabee campaign team down here in S.C. He tells me the turnout has been steady all day in the critical upstate Greenville/Spatanburg area. Huckabee better hope "steady" means alot of votes.
Also, Piper tells me that the turnout in the Lexington area - Huckabee country - is high and the turnout in Columbia - a little less conservative - is low. Go figure.
8:12 p.m. - Robin
The latest FOX News poll shows that McCain is up 36 percent to 28 percent. People are chanting "the Mac is Back, the Mac is back." The room is packed now, and people are full of energy.
The McCain campaign just took a roll call of sorts of people in attendance tonight, and there are volunteers here from as far away as Massachusetts and New York. There's no music playing in the background, but no one seems to mind.
8:06 p.m. - Robin
I just saw your blog entry David (8p.m.), and we're still eating peanuts and pretzels. But, get this, I just met "The Peanut Man." He's the guy who provided these tasty legumes. He's pretty famous here in Charleston. The Peanut Man has a very interesting story.
Back in the late 1980s, he was a very successful businessman who worked for Lockheed Martin. He was eventually laid off and almost ended up living in a homeless shelter. An elderly man in the community offered him a job selling bags of peanuts for $1. The peanut man made $.40 off every bag he sold.
But all that has changed now. He's a very, very wealthy man. People from all over the state stand in line waiting for his boiled peanuts. Pretty cool, eh?
8 p.m. - Robin
Now there boos coming from the room. Mitt Romney is speaking. The audio just went out again.
7:55 p.m. - Robin
The room is absolutely silent. Fred Thompson is speaking on the gigantic TV in the corner of the room. There are audio problems, and I can't hear what he's saying.
8 p.m. - David
A big cheer just went up in this Huckabee room. Call it a Huckabee hooray. They are happy because the latest returns show the race at 34-29 McCain instead of 38-23. It's narrowing. And I'm going on seconds with the food. Robin, what are they serving there?
7:43 p.m. - Robin
I just finished speaking with Bobby Harrell who is South Carolina's Speaker of the House. Harrell also serves as one of McCain's state campaign managers.
I asked Harrell about McCain's ability to connect with Evangelical Christians, and Harrell told me that he feels like McCain will do very well tonight because he has the ability to connect with evangelicals.
Harrell said McCain understands the threat of extreme Islamic terrorists. He also understands the importance of human life and is pro life. I also asked Harrell about McCain's ability to win some of the evangelical vote in the Piedmont region
7:41 p.m. - David
The crowd is very quite here and a little nervous. Not that many smiles. People gathered here are desperate for some good news. It's early. This room is halfway full. There's probably 300 people or so. It's a huge room. People here hope they don't have a huge let down.
7:22 p.m. - Robin
They're cheering now. New numbers were just released and it McCain is in the lead. Less than one percent of the precincts have reported, but McCain is up 33 percent to Mike Huckabee's 28 percent. More people have arrived at McCain central. The room is almost full.
7:20 p.m. - Robin
I just finished speaking with a local official who lives on John's Island. He told me he went to vote today at 12:10 p.m. At that time, he was number 81 on the roll. He went to another polling station at 4:30 p.m., and only 39 people had voted at that time.
According to this official, these areas are largely made up of retirees who probably didn't feel safe driving in horrible winds and rains. He thinks the nasty weather here in the Low Country and in the Piedmont will definately have a negative effect on voter turnout.
7:16 p.m. - David
While we wait for more information on the polls, two twenty something guys have taken the stage who I guess are famous for making a Youtube music video celebrating Huckabee. They're up there singing spoof songs that contain Huckabee's name.
They're OK. I mean it's not like they are Sonny and Cher. More like Milli Vinilli (but they are not lip syncing). Apparently the Huckabee campaign flew them down from Maryland. Cute. Of course maybe they should use some of that money on opening an office up in Florida. (Just kidding.)
7:15 p.m. - Robin
The room is starting to fill up. There are probably about 175 people here now. It's a nice-sized space, so it would probably take about 300 to make the room packed. There are a large number of military veterans here tonight. They're all decked out in their finest. There are quite a few number of young people, too.
7:07 p.m. - David
The polls have closed and the food is out. Cheese and crackers, egg rolls, chicken strips and subs. That will work. The crowd has cheered once when the polls closed. People are staring at the TV waiting anxiously.
7:02 p.m. - David
There are two precincts that will be watched very closely tonight by some Huckabee officials. They are in Greenville, where in 2000, 1,550 people voted. George Bush won 83 percent of the Evangelical vote compared to just 11 percent for John McCain.
What will it be this time around? Will Huckabee clean up like that? Remember Bob Jones of Bob Jones University near Greenville endorsed Romney. How much will that hurt Huckabee?
7 p.m. - Robin
It's 7 p.m., and the polls have closed here in South Carolina. The first numbers are starting to come in and it appears that McCain is ahead. People are cheering and whistling. There still no official word on whether McCain's campaign will pursue legal action in light of purported voter irregularities in Horry County.
6:55 p.m. - Robin
"Get your peanuts!" They're handing out bags of peanuts here at McCain campaign headquaters. What's your pleasure? Roasted? Boiled? Cajun? There are free pretzels and bottles of water, too.
The last time I attended an McCain event, they had lots of food and drink. Oh well.
6:53 p.m. - David
Mike Huckabee's campaign manager Chip Saltsman just told a gaggle of us reporters that the weather has affected turnout in SC but in the last few hours the turnout in the upstate Greenville/Spartanburg area been heavy.
Also, I am hearing from two people who are connected to the Huckabee campaign that the internal exit polls show McCain up by two. It may be a long night.
6:50 p.m. - Robin
There about 100 supporters here at McCain's campaign headquaters. The place is virtually empty. I just spoke with one of his supporters who said none of her friends voted today because of the nasty weather. Organizers are hoping more people turnout for tonight.
6:36 p.m. - David
Things are starting to heat up here. The music is playing songs like, "I was born in a small town" and "Song of the South". The projection screen is flashing Huckabee''s campaign slogan "Faith. Family. Freedom" About 150 people are here so far. That will soon change.
6:22 p.m. - David
All these presidential candidates operate on very little sleep which is remarkable when you think about the intellectual alertness they need to have 24/7. Anyhow, I found out that after a jog this morning, Mike Huckabee actually went back to the hotel and was able to take a nap.
How nice! He normally gets about 3-4 hours of sleeps per night. And one of his handlers tells me that if he didn't do all those morning show TV appearances, the staff would get more. But they are NOT complaining because free media has really been a big part of Huckabee's success story.
6:20 p.m. - Robin
I just got off the phone with BJ Bowling, McCain's South Carolina communications director. I asked him about the voter issues that allegedly took place in Horry County. He said that McCain's office did in fact receive reports that people where turned away from the polls.
However, Bowling told me "no action is being taken at this time. We are in the process of considering our options."
6:15 p.m. - David
I just spoke to a Senior Huckabee Advisor who told me that no matter what happens here tonight this campaign is in it for the long haul. The advisor tells me that while they technically don't have any offices open in Florida, they have the support of some key elected officials down there not to mention a grassroots following has developed with tons of Mike Huckabee meet up groups.
You see, here's the thing with Huckabee. His campaign has said from day one that the more people get to know Huckabee and actually hear him speak, they like him and feel comfortable voting for him. As a matter of fact, in New Hampshire, a key advisor to his campaign told me, "If we had one more week in New Hampshire, we'd win this thing."
Here in S.C., Michigan actually hurt Huckabee a little bit because, unlike the 2000 primary where there was ample time between New Hampshire and South Carolina to campaign down here, this time around Huckabee had to divert resources and time to Michigan.
6:05 p.m. - Robin
There are unconfirmed reports that McCain's campaign is working to keep the polls in Horry County open longer. The polls opened at 7 a.m. this morning and are scheduled to close in an hour at 7 p.m.
Horry County sits on the coast of South Carolina and is home to Myrtle Beach… it's an area that McCain won in his last presidential bid.
5:55 p.m. - Robin
A short time ago, I received a press release from Sen. McCain's office that said voters in Horry County, S.C. were being turned away from the polls.
Apparently, the voting machines were not working and paper ballots were not available. Read a portion of the statement below:
We are disturbed by these reports and hope that this issue is resolved immediately. We encourage any voters who were turned away from the polls to return again to their polling place this afternoon to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
I made a few calls to my sources and confirmed that there were reports of some polling discrepancies. As soon as I get more information on this, I'll be sure to give it to you.
5:53 p.m. David
Some exit poll numbers are coming in: Look below:
Veterans: McCain 36, Huckabee 25, Romney 20, Thompson 13
Evangelicals: Huck. 41, McCain 27, Thompson 14, Romney 11
Independents: McCain 37, Huckabee 23, Paul 15, Romney 14
Conservatives: Huck. 32, McCain 26, Romney 19, Thompson 17
Could Independents make the difference for McCain? You know, if McCain does win tonight, what will his campaign do to make sure he pulls in more Republican support, especially in some of these upcoming closed primaries?
5:50 p.m. - David
A Huckabee senior advisor just e-mailed me this: "Steady turnout in upstate. Big turnout in Charleston.photo finish"
We'll see how it shakes down. McCain is expected to do well in the Charleston and low country area. Huckabee must do well with Evangelicals in the Greenville/Spartanburg area.
Let's face it. If Evangelicals don't show up in droves, Huckabee's probably going to lose this thing. I guess that will mean Huckabee is hoping Evangelicals "save him." (Sorry for the pun)
5:40 p.m. - David
Well, here I am at the Mike Huckabee campaign watch party in Columbia South Carolina and let me just say that I already see a big difference from his previous watch parties.
The stage here and the room is huge. The stage has American and South Carolina flags all over it and quite frankly, it has the feel of a Presidential press conference or a state dinner.
Now the key question tonight is not who wins. It's "Where's the free food?" Jonah, the photographer is in search of it. I will let you know if I find any.
5:30 p.m. - Robin
Charleston, S.C. is undeniably one of the most gorgeous cities in the country. It's full of history and charm. The people are friendly, the food is good. But today, it's a very rainy, dismal, cold day here.
There are weather warnings and watches in every corner of the Palmetto State. Republican officials are hoping that voter turnout won't be low, but I can tell you - people here in South Carolina do not like cold weather, and they do not like snow.
Why am I the expert on this? Well, that's because I'm a Southern girl. My roots are planted firmly here in South Carolina. I guess we'll see how things evolve. The polls here close at 7 p.m.
I am over at John McCain's headquarters on the campus of the Citadel. All of the festivities are being held in the John Holliday Alumni Hall. The press is slowly, but surely filing in and setting up on the platforms to my right and in front of me.
My little work space is nestled in between the event lights and the DJ booth. I am in the perfect place to give you a first-hand view of all the happenings, so stay tuned. I'll have more in a bit.