Tucked deep inside a Thompson campaign statement today about its focus on the upcoming South Carolina primary was this revealing statement:

"The campaign's headquarters staff is going above and beyond the call of duty to shift the focus to South Carolina, as well. National office staff will work for reduced pay through the South Carolina voting." (Emphasis added).

A victory for the native Southern son in the Palmetto state -- where an average of polls put him virtually tied for fourth with Rudy Giuliani -- is key to his plans for a big show in Florida. But will he have the money to make it here?

UPDATED: Spokesman Darrel Ng tried to temper worries about the campaign running out of money. He said they've raised $500,000 since Iowa and plan to make a statewide TV buy in South Carolina through the Jan. 19 primary. To pay for the airtime, Ng said, some national staffers agreed to work for less. (The campaign won't say how many, but Florida staffers report they are still getting full paychecks.)

"We are devoting as much of our resources to South Carolina as we can," Ng said.