Frist in SC but doesn't sound like candidate

The State's Lee Bandy Sunday wrote that U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., was in South Carolina over the weekend, but didn't much sound like a presidential candidate at a meeting of the GOP state executive committee.

The Tennessee Republican came and went almost unnoticed — which apparently was the way he wanted it. There was little advance publicity and virtually no media.

Frist said the 2006 midterm elections would be tough for Republicans, but would be successful because they formed the "party of ideas."

“Yes, this is going to be a tough election,” he said. “But it’s not impossible. We’re going to do it because we’re ready. We’re going to do it because we know how. We’re going to do it because the same values that you have in South Carolina are the same values that I see in Tennessee.”

Then came the kicker.

“So, I’m here to join arms with you. That’s the only reason I’m here on this trip.”