ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) – Sharon Farris left South Carolina’s annual “Faith & Freedom BBQ” Monday night with her blouse and purse covered with campaign stickers from at least a half-dozen Republican presidential hopefuls.
“I’m open-minded, but I’m looking for somebody with Bible-based principles,” she said, explaining that means “the more conservative, the better,” and not just on abortion and marriage.
Norm Bundy, a former Marine and retired businessman, said he wants a Republican nominee “who can take back America from the socialistic situation we’ve gotten ourselves into.”
The dinner’s sponsor, congressman and tea party darling Jeff Duncan, said he wants a nominee who can rise above day-to-day maneuvering to “inspire me about what you’re going to do to return America to greatness.”
Farris, Bundy and their congressman agreed that each of the evening’s three speakers – Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson – passed the eye test.