South Carolina
updated
5:14 p.m.
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Since I'm away from the computer, I'm simply posting the text of an email I just received from top Edwards adviser John Moylan: "There is a 10 member John Edwards' delegation from SC that includes 8 delegates, 1 statewide alternate, and 1 member of the Platform Committee. "Within 12 hours of John Edwards' announcement, 8 of those 10 members have already committed to follow John Edwa...
Crack the Bell - 1:38 p.m. - 3 clicks 
If this is ups some where else let me know and I'll remove. According to SC Politics Today 6 of the 8 Edwards delegates have moved to Senator Obama. The head of John Edwards South Carolina presidential campaign told CNN that at least six of the eight delegates Edwards won in S.C. are ready to vote for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama at the Democratic presidential convention. Columbia at...
DailyKos (South Carolina) - 10:56 a.m. - 4 clicks
I've been reaching out to Edwards delegates since last night to get their reactions to his endorsement of Barack Obama - so far with little success. As I noted last night, Daniel Boan told me, "Sen. Edwards's endorsement will be an important factor in how I decide to vote," and he urged us to "stay tuned" for his decision. Tim Moore of Barnwell told The State that he...
Crack the Bell - 10:56 a.m. - 7 clicks
the "leaders" (and I use that term loosely) should be worrying about things like public education, economic development and the overall well being of the citizens of this state. Not license plates. Just one more example of the sad state South Carolina is in. t...
Seeding Spartanburg - Wed 7:47 p.m. - 13 clicks
Of the 19 delegates John Edwards won during his campaign, eight (plus an additional alternate) are from South Carolina. Who will these delegates support now that Edwards has endorsed Barack Obama? The Edwards delegates are: Lauren Bilton (Columbia) Daniel Boan (Kershaw) Christine Brennan-Bond (Moore) Michael Evatt (Seneca) Robert Groce (Summerville) Marilyn Hemingway (Georgeto...
Crack the Bell - Wed 7:47 p.m. - 12 clicks
MSNBC is reporting that South Carolina superdelegate has announced his support for Barack Obama. I'll see what I can track down. ...
Crack the Bell - Wed 1:11 p.m. - 10 clicks
South Carolina blogger Waldo Lydecker, who I have been trying to get you to read for weeks, just got a slightly larger boost from Andrew Sullivan. For this post. Fine. I’m happy for you, Waldo. Seriously. Not bitter at all. Nope. Not all all. Happy. PS: I know that technically [...]...
Not Very Bright - Mon 2:21 p.m. - 20 clicks
District 2 Republican Bill Sandifer has become the first House candidate (I'm aware of) to be targeted by Gov. Mark Sanford this primary season. Last month , Sandifer was the target of negative push-polling paid for by Howard Rich's voucher group "South Carolinians for Responsible Government," according to the Daily Messenger . This month, Sanford himself is apparently taking a long Monda...
Barbecue and Politics - Mon 10:54 a.m. - 20 clicks
From an AP story: The amazement was on their faces. Hundreds waited for Barack Obama on that evening in South Carolina, 15 weeks ago, to claim victory — a surprising victory, surprisingly large. And amazing it was. It made it possible for him to stand today on the verge of being the first black person ever nominated [...]...
Not Very Bright - Sat 7:12 p.m. - 29 clicks
One of four remaining undeclared SC Superdelegates, Wilber Lee Jeffcoat, has declared for Obama. He cites Clinton’s recent “hardworking white people” comment as one of the factors in his decision. Clinton and Obama are now virtually tied in superdelegates, or Obama is ahead, depending on your source. SC Superdelegates Clyburn, Spratt, and Cobb-Hunter [...]...
Not Very Bright - Sat 5:49 a.m. - 28 clicks
While offering no timetable for when he might endorse a candidate in the Democratic nomination fight, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn is making it pretty clear that the nominee ought to be whoever comes away with the most pledged delegates. Although Clyburn and S.C. Democratic Party Chair Carol Khare held a conference call with media this morning to discuss John McCain's visit to the state later...
Crack the Bell - Fri 2:23 p.m. - 29 clicks
Jim Clyburn, John Spratt, Gilda Cobb-Hunter, Wilbur Lee Jeffcoat: It’s time to get on board and declare for Obama. ...
Not Very Bright - May 7 - 16 clicks
First District Congressional candidate Linda Ketner joined Democratic Party and state leaders in Columbia this past weekend to discuss her plan for a new path forward for South Carolina’s 1st district. "In response, leaders from across the state have announced their support for her candidacy, and their belief that she is the best person to bring renewed energy and focus to a we...
Crack the Bell - May 6 - 14 clicks
For all my criticism of the juvenile tone of FITSNews, I also give credit where credit is due. Although “credit” may be the wrong word this time. Whether this is praiseworthy or reckless depends on your perspective. FITSNews has posted the audio of telephone calls that Republican Dorchester County Senator Randy Scott made from the Dorchester [...]...
Not Very Bright - May 5 - 13 clicks
I just visited the web site of former Mark Sanford spokesman Will Folks, who has now apparently completed the transition from common criminal to American hero, at least in the phone booth of his own mind. Folks is now saying he is “standing up for” the 1st Amendment by posting recorded phone conversations a state senator made from jail. Uh, okay. No doubt posting someone’s telephone...
Barbecue and Politics - May 5 - 23 clicks
Lt. Governor clocked at 101 mph on backstretch B&P News - Churchill Downs Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer of South Carolina stunned the not-really-sports world Saturday by winning the 134th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The 38-year-old Bauer, previously unknown in the realm of thoroughbred racing, was clocked at speeds in excess of 101 mph , becoming the first ride...
Barbecue and Politics - May 4 - 15 clicks
The Senate is trying to address illegal immigration. Most of the efforts have been basically useless and focused on punishing the poor sap looking for a better life . This approach is penny wise and pound foolish, and does nothing to reduce the problem. The latest Senate proposal on the other hand is a step in the right direction. passed a plan that would impose fines up to $10,000 for know...
A Lie a Day - May 1 - 14 clicks
“If it’s yellow, let it mellow,” demands SC Attorney General B&P News – Columbia South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster announced today that he will seek an unprecedented judicial injunction against certain residents of North Carolina , the latest legal maneuver in the Palmetto State ’s fight for control of water from the Catawba River . McMaster ...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 29 - 14 clicks
Our Senators, always looking for ways to waste time and money, have produce two more silly and potentially costly pieces on legislation in their continued efforts to use to power of the state to jam Christianity down the throats of the citizens. The SC Senate is now acting in an effort to allow the use two traditional dishonest christian ploys , and both are mistakes. PUBLIC PRAYER: The state ...
A Lie a Day - Apr 27 - 14 clicks
Jim Clyburn is making big news for calling the Clintons out on their campaign strategy, including the long-term strategy I mentioned in a comment a few days ago: “I heard something, the first time yesterday (in South Carolina), and I heard it on the (House) floor today, which is telling me there are African Americans who [...]...
Not Very Bright - Apr 25 - 14 clicks
Ever wonder what it would be like if the Palmetto State had a “council” of sorts, that promoted sound policy from the perspective of the actual needs and values of South Carolinians ? A “policy council” if you will. But just for South Carolina . A South Carolina policy council. That would be awesome. Perhaps at one time such an entity existed. But those ...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 24 - 14 clicks
A friend and fellow USCS (Upstate) alum, Lucas Patterson, started this cool little paper a year or so ago entitled "ROOT: Spartanburg's Journal of Uncommon Kindness." It's a great paper…so if you see it around town…pick it up and give it a read. Out JUST today is the Earth Day edition. Another friend, Allyn Steele, was responsible for putting...
Seeding Spartanburg - Apr 22 - 17 clicks
On this Earth Day….what can I do to make a difference in how I impact the earth? Watch “The Story of Stuff” and rethink your consumptive habits. (It all starts with ME.) Attend the Community-wide Forum sponsored by Spartanburg Educators for Empowered Communities (SEEC) this Friday (April 25th) from 4:00 to 5:30 at the Hub-Bub Showroom, where Mayor [...]...
Seeding Spartanburg - Apr 22 - 16 clicks
A lot of fuss has been made recently about the current filming of the movie “Nailed” on the grounds of the South Carolina State House. Gervais says, that’s great, but we shouldn’t let this Johnny-come-lately not-even-a-movie-yet overshadow the Palmetto State ’s other fine moments on the silver screen. To refresh your memory, here are the… Top Ten other great moments in SC...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 22 - 14 clicks
Once a fortnight, the Wall Street Journal op-ed page makes a point to float Mark Sanford's name out there as a potential VP candidate. Like here , here . here , here and here , and like they did this Saturday in the column “ South Carolina ’s Contender .” It may have been a good piece, but I couldn’t read much further than the sentence that read, “Mr. Sanford's main governing probl...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 20 - 14 clicks
According to the latest Winthrop/ETV poll, South Carolina taxpayers overwhelmingly want to raise our lowest-in-the-nation, seven cents per pack cigarette tax. And fortunately, there’s an association which represents the views of taxpayers and lobbies the General Assembly on our behalf. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the association is currently being co-opted ...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 17 - 16 clicks
Rich folks from Charleston soon may finally have a voice in South Carolina government. That’s right… the days of the Lowcountry being virtually unrepresented in the State House may be coming to an end. I know this because when Gervais was searching the State Ethics Commission’s super new online disclosure website, I discovered that Charleston County is getting a lot mo...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 16 - 15 clicks
South Carolina Democratic Party officials announced today that U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota will deliver the keynote address for the 2008 SCDP Jefferson-Jackson Dinner . "Senator Klobuchar will be a great addition to this year's Dem Weekend . I know that her fearless spirit will inspire South Carolina Democrats as it has many other Democrats in Minnesota and Washington. She h...
Crack the Bell - Apr 14 - 17 clicks
South Carolina hasn't seen many competitive congressional races in recent decades, but things could be interesting in a couple of districts this year (and the Republican Senate primary will be fun just to watch for a week or two). Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be doing profiles of Democratic candidates. I'm scheduled to interview Rob Miller this afternoon, and I'm working to ...
Crack the Bell - Apr 14 - 15 clicks
The serial dishonesty of the anti ACLU crowd is pointed out at Panda's Thumb . Barbecue & Politics looks at South Carolina politics, astroturf 'grass roots' groups and the money that Howard Rich pumps into his favored candidates . The ironic meeting of Free Markets, Ayn Rand and the bribes being paid to force college students to read Atlas Shrugged are discussed at Crooked Timber . ...
A Lie a Day - Apr 11 - 15 clicks
Our first recipient was a no-brainer. I say "no-brainer" because the winner, Carolinians for Reform , is most famous for being the temporary recipient of over $100,000 in public funds, directed from the Governor’s Office late last year … which anyone with a brain could’ve told the governor was a stupid idea. ( Sanford is the honorary co-chairman of a PAC run by the same guy...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 9 - 14 clicks
You may have noticed the link over there to the left called “Buying South Carolina,” with the picture of the old guy. That’s Big Apple libertarian Howard Rich, the millionaire developer who is trying to buy South Carolina , one State House seat at a time. He doesn’t seem to like public schools, and r umor has it that it all started with a batch of bad “band fruit” in 1973. ...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 8 - 17 clicks
GOP consultant Terry Sullivan’s assessment of why out-of-state groups like Club for Growth and SCRG weren’t able to tap into their “vast, grassroots membership” to field many State House candidates: “That is what happens when you pretend to be a grass-roots organization but are really just a front group for out-of-state people,” Sullivan said. “ Sanford-friendly candidates don’t...
Barbecue and Politics - Apr 6 - 14 clicks
(The picture above is of the end of the border fence near San Diego that the Department of Homeland Security wants to use as a model for the 700-mile fence called for in the Border Security Act of 2006. This wall near San Diego was budgeted to cost $14 million but ended up costing $42 million and is regularly circumvented by families who cross back and forth on the beach.) --------------...
South Carolina Politics - Mar 19 - 15 clicks
PALMETTO STATE PROGRESSIVE SPECIAL REPORT Surprise, surprise, surprise. Another so-called "conservative" Republican caught doing exactly what he spends so much time denouncing in public. South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, the self-proclaimed defender of Conservative values and a leader in the War on Earmarks , actually leads the state's congressional delegation in earmarked projects tha...
South Carolina Politics - Feb 24 - 20 clicks
Writer and educator, Stirling Newberry, on the meaning and significance of the political descriptor: Progressive. As We have pointed out many times before in this space, being a progressive doesn't necessarily mean you're liberal and being liberal doesn't necessarily mean you're progressive. He explains it quite well: www.scpolitics.org ...
South Carolina Politics - Feb 16 - 12 clicks
