After coming in fourth place in the South Carolina Primary Saturday, Texas Rep. Ron Paul greeted supporters at Jillian's Billiards Club in Columbia with a smile and an optimistic outlook.

Paul told the crowd of at least 200 people that the movement would continue and that the "message of liberty is being received every day."

"This is the beginning of a long hard slog," Paul said.

Paul also asked the crowd if they ever noticed how the other campaigns are going up and down, but his continues to have a steady growth.

"We are the next generation," Paul said to cheers and chants.

Supporters agreed that the Paul's campaign is a movement that will continue beyond the presidential election.

"This is about ideas and 20 years from now ... my generation is growing up and we're going to be affected by this," said Michael Hollis, a 22-year-old senior from the University of South Carolina.

"The establishment better watch out. His ideas are permeating throughout this generation."

Hollis said he wasn't surprised by Paul's finish but did expect him to finish ahead of Rick Santorum.

"I didn't want it to happen but this is the expected result with how much time he spent in the state," Hollis said. "I didn't expet (Newt) Gingrich to beat (Mitt) Romney by so much."

Daniel Felker, 32, of Laurens County said he though South Carolinians got sold on career politicians.

"None of them have given real answers to problems that face our nation other than Ron Paul," Felker said. "He can actually give real answers to real problems that face our nation."

Twenty-six-year-old Jennifer Darcy of Fort Mill said she was a little disappointed by the results but said Paul still had the time and potential to be the nominee and president.

"This isn't the end for Ron Paul," Darcy said. "I believe he's the best for our future. I feel like he's the one that will get our country out of debt."

Sen. Danny Verdin (R-Laurens), Sen. Lee Bright (R-Spartanburg) and Sen. Kevin Bryant (R-Anderson) all rallied behind Paul as he addressed supporters Saturday night.

Verdin said endorsing Paul was the best thing he ever did.

"We just begun the fight," Verdin said.