Columbia, S.C. ? After eight years of being shut out, state Democrats say they are choosing candidates based on who’s best to win the White House in November.

The question has brewed in the state since the spring, when Charleston, S.C., state Sen. Robert Ford said Democrats would lose up and down the ticket if they nominated Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

During Monday’s Democratic debate, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards raised the subject, especially if Democrats had to compete for moderate and independent votes with GOP front-runner Sen. John McCain.

Edwards’ statement, said University of South Carolina political scientist Blease Graham, puts a “finger right on the pulse of what a lot of people are thinking.”

Electability has many meanings, Graham said, including expectations about working with Congress.

Touting electability, Graham said, is also an appeal to try to bring in independent voters. State Democrats hope Saturday’s primary, which follows enthusiastic turnout in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, could help bring more voters to the party.

The issue, said former Gov. Jim Hodges, is in the forefront for those yet to settle on a choice. “I think for the undecided voters, electability is a big issue,” he said.

Edwards pointed to polls showing he stacked up best. Supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and Obama said they had polls showing their candidates could beat the Republican field, as well.

Edwards won South Carolina’s primary in 2004 and made a strong argument for electability, even promising to campaign in heavily Republican South Carolina during the general election.

“Who will be tough enough and strong enough? And who can compete against John McCain in every place in America?” Edwards asked during the debate. “You know, I believe that I won’t just be here campaigning in the South Carolina primary.

“When I’m the Democratic nominee, I’ll be back in South Carolina campaigning for the general election.”

Voters, said former state Democratic Party chairman Joe Erwin, are thinking about the issue.

“I think I’m not that different than so many South Carolinians,” Erwin said, “that we really want to see a Democrat elected.”

Obama has pledged to reshape the Democratic coalition, bringing in evangelicals, independents and Republicans.

Clinton has always said she is the most experienced candidate, ready to deal with the inevitable general election attacks.

“If it is, indeed, the classic Republican campaign, I’ve been there. I’ve done that,” Clinton said. “They’ve been after me for 16 years, and much to their dismay, I am still here.”