McCain, Romney air ads in South Carolina

Even as they stump across Michigan in a last-minute search for votes in today's crucial primary, John McCain and Mitt Romney put up TV ads in South Carolina, site of the next Republican contest on Saturday.

The spots appeal to two different, but significant, constituencies in the Palmetto State -- McCain appeals to military retirees and active-duty service members, while Romney reaches out to economic conservatives.

In McCain's new ad, he reminds voters of his record as a Vietnam War hero and in the US Senate. "I've served our country all my adult life," McCain says. "I've never lived a day in good times or bad I wasn't grateful for the privilege.

"Now I ask to serve as your president," he continues. "As thousands of South Carolinians risk their lives to defend us, our purpose can't be ours alone. America is our cause, her greatness our hope, her strength our protection, her goodness the hope of mankind."

Romney, who suspended TV ads in South Carolina to focus resources in Michigan, returns to the air with a spot that highlights his record as a successful corporate turnaround consultant -- and that offers hope to a state that has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs.

He addresses China's growing economic power and promises to level the playing field on trade, lower taxes, and invest in research so American companies can compete. "America must remain the world's economic superpower," Romney says.