COLUMBIA - This time around, Sen. John McCain is determined to quell early on the kind of grassroots resistance that aided his defeat in South Carolina eight years ago, Winthrop University political scientist Scott Huffmon said.

Mr. Huffmon cites that as the reason House Speaker Bobby Harrell, who is helping lead Mr. McCain's presidential efforts in South Carolina, announced the support of 40 House Republicans at a news conference Wednesday.

The group represents lawmakers from throughout the state.

Among them are Speaker Pro Tem Doug Smith; House Majority Leader Jim Merrill; Rep. Bill Herbkersman, of Bluffton; Rep. Catherine Ceips, of Beaufort; Rep. Don Smith, of North Augusta; and Rep. Roland Smith, of Langley.

"There's too much at stake, and as citizens and as parents we felt a strong obligation to put politics aside and do the right thing for our country and focus on who we think ought to be the next president of the United States," Mr. Harrell said.

A year before South Carolina's primaries, the announcement will make little difference to voters, Mr. Huffmon said. But amassing supporters statewide now means few will be available to join and run other potential candidates' campaigns down the road.

"It's strategy aimed at quelling the type of anti-McCain sentiment he saw in 2000," Mr. Huffmon said.

Three other people considering a 2008 presidential campaign were in South Carolina this week.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was in the state Monday and Tuesday, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback was in Columbia on Friday and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to meet with Republican leadership today.