Joe Lieberman-Campaign Organization, South Carolina
Joe Lieberman for President, Inc.
Senator Joe Lieberman announced his presidential campaign and filed papers with the FEC establishing his presidential campaign committee on January 13, 2003.  Craig T. Smith is national campaign director and senior advisor.
Palmetto State for Joe
Dec. 18, 2003
Joe Lieberman for President, Inc. South Carolina Leadership
Campaign Headquarters: 2231 Devine Street, Suite 202, Columbia 
(announced August 8, 2003)
State Director Barry Butler
(from June 2003, announced Aug. 8, 2003)  Directed the Oklahoma Coordinated Campaign in 2002.  Graduate of North Carolina Central University.
 
 
Political Director Carleton Atkinson
(announced April 13, 2003)  Most recently served as state GOTV co-director for the North Carolina Democratic Party in 2002.  Previously state field director on Erskine Bowles for U.S. Senate campaign.  Served as a policy advisor to the Office of the North Carolina Lieutenant Governor.  Law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law (2000). 
 
 
Press Secretary Stacie Paxton
(announced October 20, 2003)  Paxton last served as the CNN senior publicist where she managed publicity for the network's anchors, correspondents and programs including Crossfire, Wolf Blitzer Reports and Inside Politics.  Prior to that, she served as the press secretary to U.S. Representative Lois Capps on Capps' campaign and congressional office.
 
 
Field Coordinators-Community and College Outreach
(announced October 31, 2003) 
Julia Franklin - (previously in the Iowa office) 2003 graduate of Yale University.
Toby Friesen - (previously in the Iowa office) 2003 graduate of the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
 
 

Key Supporters:
State Rep. James Battle, D-Nichols  (Dist. No. 57, Marion Co.)  ...April 13, 2003
State Rep. Joe Brown, D-Columbia  (Dist. No. 73, Richland Co.)  ...Jan. 23, 2004 had backed Gephardt
State Rep. Mack Hines, D-Florence  (Dist. No. 59, Florence & Marion Cos.) ...April 13, 2003
State Rep. Doug Jennings, D-Bennettsville  (Dist. No. 54, Chesterfield & Marlboro Cos.)    ...Jan. 2003
State Rep. Joel Lourie, D-Columbia  (Dist. No. 78, Richland Co.)  ...Jan. 2003
State Rep. John Scott, D-Columbia  (Dist. No. 78, Richland Co.)    ...Jan. 2003
State Rep. Fletcher Smith, D-Greenville (Dist. No. 23, Greenville Co.)    ...Jan. 2003

Travis Medlock, former South Carolina Attorney General    ...April 13, 2003

Saluda County Councilman Sherman Lott     ...Jan .2004
McCormick County Democratic Party Chairman Ken Puckett      ...Jan .2004

Columbia attorneys Richard and Belinda Gergel >   ...Jan. 2003

Gary Quick - McColl Mayor 

Marvin Stevenson - Marion County Councilmember

Jim Solomon - former Department of Social Services Director  Charleston Police Chief 

Reuben Greenberg - Charleston Police Chief

Rev. Victor Walker of Greenville 
Rev. Robert Dennis of Simpsonville
Rev. Alfonso Porter of Summerville 

and
The State (Columbia) (02/01/04)>
Greenville News (02/01/04)>
 
 

The State's Lee Bandy reported the initial endorsements in a January 2003 article (they were given to Bandy at his request; there was no formal announcement or event).
 

Here's a Dec. 12, 2003 summary from the Lieberman campaign:

JOE LIEBERMAN'S STRENGTH IN SOUTH CAROLINA

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 KEYS TO VICTORY: FAITH, CIVIL RIGHTS, INDEPENDENT-MINDED DEMS
 * Joe Lieberman will do well in South Carolina's February 3 primary because of his lifelong commitment to civil rights, connection with voters of strong faith, strength on defense in a state with a large military presence, and profile as an independent-minded Democrat.
 * The SC primary is also open to independent voters, among whom Joe does well.
 * "Lieberman seems best poised to capitalize on the conservative political climate in South Carolina," wrote leading SC political columnist Lee Bandy of The State.  "He's a self-proclaimed moderate with strong pro-business views and an outspoken supporter of traditional values, all of which resonate well with state voters."
 * ABC News reported, "Lieberman's more conservative brand of Democratic values is right at home in South Carolina, where people tend to be pro-military and defense and very religious. Coming out of the church, member Charles Sullivan said of Lieberman, 'I think he knows what people like us need -- whether you're black or white.'"

 POLLS: IN AN UNFORMED RACE, AT THE HEAD OF THE PACK
 * The race in SC is very much up for grabs with "Undecided" having a 17-point lead on any one candidate.  According to the most recent Zogby poll, Joe is in a statistical tie for first with Dean and Clark, and he has been consistently at the top of the pack.

 STRONG IN-STATE PRESENCE
 * Joe has spent 14 days in SC this year -- more than Dean, Gephardt, Clark or Kerry.
 * In a state that has experienced severe manufacturing job losses, Joe was the first candidate to unveil a comprehensive manufacturing renewal plan.

 ENDORSEMENTS: STATE LEGISLATORS, PASTORS
 * Joe has picked up more endorsements from state legislators than any other candidate besides native son John Edwards, including Reps. Doug Jennings, John Scott, Jim Battle, Joel Laurie, Mack Hines, and Fletcher Smith.  Lieberman has also won the backing of former Attorney General Travis Medlock, former Department of Social Services Director Jim Solomon, McColl Mayor Gary Quick, and Charleston Police Chief Reuben Greenberg, among others.
 * Joe's also earned endorsements from influential pastors, including Rev. Victor Walker of Greenville, Rev. Robert Dennis of Simpsonville, and Rev. Alfonso Porter of Summerville. 

 COMMITMENT TO CIVIL RIGHTS, BRIDGING RACIAL LINES
 * "[Lieberman] would be attractive to a lot of South Carolinians," said Furman University professor Jim Guth, told The State. "He has the potential to bridge blacks with whites. There's something for everyone
 in Lieberman. That's his real strength."
 * African Americans will make up about half of voters in the Democratic primary, and Joe has campaigned widely in the state's  African-American communities.  He has been particularly well received at
 his visits to churches.
 * Typical of that response is Mullins resident Peggie Troy, who said, "he spoke of our fight and is sensitive to the needs of minorities. I felt there was a true connection," and Rev. Mack Hines, who said "seldom do you hear of a presidential candidate stopping at a black church. He's very sensitive to us as a people, and that's the kind
 of president we need."
 * Joe's commitment goes beyond talk into action.  After visiting Allen University and Benedict College, two historically black colleges in Columbia, Lieberman worked with Rep. James Clyburn to secure $50 million to restore their historic buildings.

Copyright © 2003, 2004  Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action