AIKEN, S.C. -- Presidential candidate Fred Thompson emphasized his plans for national security Monday as he campaigned in South Carolina, a state he has said is critical for his White House bid.

The former Tennessee senator said the U.S. must rebuild its military. He will sit down with congressional leaders, but if that doesn't work, Thompson said he'll simply going over their heads.

"We have to understand we are in a conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan that's part of a wider effort in a global war that's been declared on us by radical Islam," he told several hundred people gathered at a restaurant.

"The way you avoid a fight is prevail in those situations you find yourself in and be stronger than your adversary," he said.