A BIG standing ovation for Andrea at Arkansans for Huckabee and for Huck’s Army for coming together to make this happen. And thanks go to Jenn for the pictures and all the Huckabee supporters on the ground in Columbia yesterday.

The banner you see in the picture made the rounds yesterday afternoon while THOUSANDS (and if you’ve ever been in Columbia, SC when there’s a game at Williams-Brice Stadium, you know that THOUSANDS is an understatement), were tailgating before the only game that really matters to South Carolina football fans … the annual Clemson/USC instate rivalry. While Carolina managed to take a 21-20 lead over Clemson in the last minutes of the game, Clemson, made a quick drive down the field and with a field-goal, won the game 23-21. (A bit of sympathy please for my dear husband who has both his undergrad and masters degree from the University of South Carolina).

Here’s Jenn’s on-the-ground report:

More than 20 volunteers set up the site and then fanned out into the stadium and fairground parking lots to hand out at least 1000 invitations. We had a huge turnout for the Governor when he arrived. I was amazed at the number of media, as one picture will show.

The Governor and Ric Flair, former SC Governor David Beasley, and SC Campaign Chair Mike Campbell did several interviews with the media, and then Governor Huckabee started to work the crowd. It was a treat for Mrs. Huckabee and Mrs. Beasley to be present as well, since they were recently in Columbia for a tea with the First Ladies. The response to the tailgate was very positive – we had people seeking out the tailgate to pick up signs, bumper stickers, lapel stickers and issues fliers. All in all – a great success!

Great job everybody! Between the plane and the work on the ground for the Governor’s Tailgate Party, the name “Huckabee” had to reach a large portion of the population of South Carolina! Bravo!!

From cold, snowy Michigan …

OneMom