Thompson in South Carolina: Supporters line up

GREENVILLE, South Carolina (CNN) - The banquet room at the Greenville Marriott is very, very crowded, and this is not a small space. Staffers for former Sen. Fred Thompson say this is a bigger crowd than they expected for his official South Carolina debut on this Monday morning.

The "Fred '08" bus is parked in the back of the Marriott, perhaps because the FairTax.org bus is taking up about eight parking spots out front.

Meanwhile, the GOP presidential hopeful welcomed guests to staples of 80's rock music, such as ZZ Top and Van Halen. Lenny Kravitz just came on, taking the soundtrack into the 90's. Does the Thompson campaign know "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" was a nominee for Hillary Clinton's campaign song?

- CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby