Santorum, Gingrich speak to S.C. Tea Partiers Monday; many still undecided

South Carolina Tea Party members gathered Monday in Myrtle Beach to listen to Republican presidential hopefuls Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich explain why they believe they are the candidate of choice for the party of less government.

For those in attendance at the event, held at the Springmaid Beach Resort, the candidate that truly identifies with the Tea Party is Gingrich....or Santorum...or Ron Paul.

The crowd cheered at the promises the two candidates made of restricting government and jeered at mentions of the Obama administration’s policies, but members had varying opinions on who should be the Republican nominee.

Some in the group, such as Marty Miller of Murrells Inlet who attended the event with his wife, Linda, are still undecided with the state primary just a mere four days away.

“I would say that I’m still open. Quite honestly, I probably lean a little more toward Speaker Gingrich than I do Mr. Santorum, but that’s just from past history and things that I’ve personally known,” Miller said, adding that the candidates’ speeches Monday afternoon and the debate in Myrtle Beach Monday night would likely help him decide.

Cornelia Lepadatu, of Myrtle Beach, said she and her husband moved from the Socialist country of Romania 30 years ago and she fears President Barack Obama is leading the United States toward similar Socialist tendencies.

She said one Republican candidate in particular provides the best chance to defeat Obama.

“We are definitely for [Gingrich],” Lepadatu said. “First of all, nobody is better. At this time because it’s so critical for us, in my opinion, he is the one candidate that is very articulate. He knows how to talk, he’s knowledged, so I am sure he can respond to any questions against Obama.” Terrell Cole, of North Myrtle Beach, agreed that Gingrich has the best shot at beating Obama, but said for the time being she is still undecided on who she will vote for in Saturday’s primary.

For Jean Carlton, a member of the Charleston Tea Party, many of her friends and people she has met disagree with Paul’s foreign policy, she said, but his stance on defense is one of the main reasons she plans on voting for the Texas congressman.

“That’s one of the reasons I like him is because I do approve of his foreign policy and he wants to secure our borders,” Carlton said. “All the issues there I agree with and I think they’re consistent with the Tea Party.”

Paul was expected speak at the rally Monday but did not due to a scheduling issue.