AP Interview: Thompson ‘makes his stand’ in South Carolina

(AP) - Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson says he's making his stand in South Carolina.

Thompson tells The Associated Press that the state is "tailor-made" for grassroots campaigning. He's touring it in a luxury bus bearing his likeness.

Thompson finished last among the GOP candidates in New Hampshire, where he says he didn't run a campaign. He's also writing off next week's Michigan primary, saying it's not nearly as significant as New Hampshire and South Carolina or Iowa, where he finished third.

The latest South Carolina polls show former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee leading, with Thompson's support tough to read. He placed second in one survey but in two others, he placed fourth and fifth.

That's a contrast to a November poll that had him in a virtual tie for the lead in South Carolina with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.