DeMint to host forum for GOP presidential hopefuls

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint is hosting a forum in South Carolina for candidates vying to be the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.

DeMint said Monday the American Principles Project is sponsoring the September 5 forum at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Candidates will be on stage one at a time to field questions from DeMint, U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, and American Principles Project founder Robert P. George. DeMint says the format gives candidates a chance to speak directly to voters in South Carolina, home of the nation’s first-in-the-South GOP presidential primary.

Information is going out this week to current and prospective candidates. Candidates who achieve a 5 percent threshold in an online Republican poll on August 22 will be invited.