Billed as a "conversation about national security," Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston spoke mostly on general concepts of the South Carolina primary and supporting the military during the S.C. Tea Party Convention Monday in Myrtle Beach.

"Let me suggest if you analyze the candidates, all of them have warts but we can go beyond that because we need to get back to that ideal, the soul of America," Livingston said. "This election is not about a candidate; this election is about the soul of America."

Livingston is retired from the U.S. Marines and is a Medal-of-Honor recipient. He now lives in South Carolina, the state currently being courted by five GOP candidates ahead of the Jan. 21 election. 

The convention has more than 30 speakers, speaking on a range of topics.

Livingston kept his speech short and on the topic of the looming primary.

"At the end of the day, I can vote for any of them; we've got to coalesce behind someone and recapture the soul, that is the issue at the forefront of national security," he said. He said he'd "hold his nose" for any of the candidates. 

After retiring from the military, Livingston said he never wanted to give a talk on politics. He said he talked today to support the country's military during this important election.