South Carolina Republicans will start looking for a presidential candidate in 2024 this fall.
Of course, they may have already found one if Donald Trump agrees to appear in his own version of CPAC here.
The Republican Party of SC plans to host its first “CPAC-like” meeting – probably in Myrtle Beach in October or November – that would be visible enough to attract as many Republican Party contenders as possible.
CPAC, which stands for Conservative Political Action Conference, is the annual meeting of the red, white and blue conservatives, traditionally held in February outside Washington, DC
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s rally was held February 25-28 in Orlando, Florida, and featured Trump’s first public appearance since the end of his time at the White House.
South Carolina state party chairman Drew McKissick said the combination of celebration and fundraising would reflect the CPAC formula, with activists, nationally recognized speakers, calls to action and media appearances part of the program.
It would also include asking Trump to participate, since he is unlikely to decide on his possible return to the White House until after the 2022 semiannual exams.
“We would totally invite you,” McKissick told Palmetto Politics. “Absolutely.”
He added: “The question is whether it is big enough to deserve the trip on your behalf. But we would love to have it.”
Also welcome are those who are in the speculative conversation for 2024, which means that there will be a stage ready for names like Nikki Haley, Sens. Josh Hawley, Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz, as well as Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Govs. Ron DeSantis from Florida and Kristi Noem from South Dakota and the other myriad of Republicans in the conversation.
“There is an entire buffet of people for whom it could be a draw,” said McKissick.
“Whoever is competing, it will benefit them by being exposed to our people and potentially benefit them by connecting with future campaigns,” he said.
The idea for the South Carolina event came up long before last weekend’s CPAC, as McKissick was looking for ways to showcase the coveted “South First” status in state primaries. Myrtle Beach was named as the likely host location because the party likes to move its meetings to different locations in the state, specifically to stay away from Columbia.
Also because Myrtle Beach has a large availability of rooms, it is close to the battle state of North Carolina and has access to spaces large enough to host a minimum of 1,000 Southeast activists.
The connection that Myrtle Beach is also home to censored Republican MP Tom Rice – one of 10 House Republicans who voted for Trump’s impeachment – did not influence thinking, said McKissick.
Holding the meeting this year would also be a way to denounce the national party rules that dictate what states can do before the season warms up again.
All the uproar would also be encouraged, from the visit of Roger Stone or other celebrities to the golden statues of Trump moving through the corridors, as was the dominant image of the CPAC.
There may even be a simple vote on presidential favorites.
The fact that the event is being scheduled for a distant three years before the elections further shows that the race for the presidency is becoming an endless journey in the state of Palmetto, especially now with the White House in the hands of the Democrats.
Catch up Schuyler Kropf at 843-937-5551. Follow him on Twitter at @ skropf47.