Brownback comes to Summerville

GOP candidate emphasizes foreign policy, traditional family values

About 15 Sam Brownback supporters gathered Saturday to hear the senator speak about traditional values and at Kelly's Barbeque on U.S. Highway 78 in Summerville to hear and drum up support for his grass-roots presidential campaign.

"People are looking around at the Republican candidates, asking 'Where is the conservative candidate?'" Brownback said, before he raised his hand. The Kansas senator emphasized his views on traditional marriage and families, as well as his anti-abortion stance.

"If you can't get life right, what are you going to be doing down the road? These are the basics, and I'm a big believer if you get these right, there's no limit to what we can do," he said.

Much of his talk focused on foreign policy. Brownback was vehement in his belief that the next American president should have a keen knowledge of foreign politics and economics. He suggested that the United States should be aware of places such as Africa that are becoming increasingly politically violent and warned that Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is "pushing an agenda that has never worked in the past."

"I think we have to be a lot more integrated into Latin America," he said.

The senator also said that even though he believes there has been excellent military progress in Iraq, he would like to see a "political surge." He supports splitting the country into three areas: Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite regions.

"One country, three states — I think that's a way we can politically move forward," he said.

Some people came more out of curiosity than support. Janette Kille said she has voted Republican for the past several decades, but she has yet to decide who she will vote for in the primary.

"I'm fishing," said Kille, a Ladson resident who is originally from New Jersey. She is doing her own research on candidates; she also attended Mitt Romney's question-and-answer session in North Charleston last week.

"I find it very interesting. It's vital to our area," she said.

Others came for what might be considered less noble reasons.

"I'm here for the lunch," WTMA-AM talk-show host Rocky D said, laughing. "But it's interesting to see how one of the candidates that is not considered one of the 'Big 3' can draw people in for the lunch." Rocky D also felt he owed it to Brownback to be there.

"He's been on my show twice; I figured I could come to his show once."

Reach Sophia Rodriguez at 937-5538 or srodriguez@post andcourier.com.