Leading GOP candidates attending SC forum

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The leading Republican presidential candidates are visiting South Carolina this Labor Day to attend a forum in Columbia hosted by U.S. senator and tea party favorite Jim DeMint. Those planning to attend include former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas congressman Ron Paul. Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann, businessman Herman Cain and former U.S. House Newt Gingrich are also attending. Texas Gov. Rick Perry was supposed to attend, but he said he would return to his home state to monitor wildfires there. Invitations were extended based on how candidates are doing in the polls. Former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, for example, was not invited but he’s campaigning in the Midlands and in upstate South Carolina this Labor Day. South Carolina has the South’s first GOP presidential primary early next year. (Copyright 2011 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)