GOP Gov. Mark Sanford is term-limited out of office in South Carolina in 2010, meaning that we can expect to see an interesting game of musical chairs in the Palmetto State over the next two years. Among the potential Republican contenders for the Governor’s mansion is Congressman Gresham Barrett (raise your hands if you’ve never heard of him before), but who will take a stab for the Democrats? Team Blue only seems to have two players on its bench with recent experience in statewide office: current state Superintendent of Education Jim Rex and his predecessor, Inez Tenenbaum. Might some other names step forward?
And while a Jim DeMint defeat seems pretty damn unlikely at this point, some Democrat will have to carry the banner against him in the Senate race, lest we end up with a Bob Conley-esque nutter. Who would you like to see do the deed?
South Carolina’s Republican trend seems to be growing, despite Obama’s strong performance in the state just back in November. I think if Democrats want to concentrate their resources for an actual win, their best bet would be at the House side by trying to take SC-01.
Please, not Inez Tenenbaum again! How many times will it take before we learn that we can’t win as Dems by reinforcing the GOP message? Isn’t there anyone else who can actually run & say something other than “I’m not that guy”?
Is Linda Kettner the only good candidate we have in this state?
Maybe ’06 Lt. Gov. nominee Robert Barber could be talked into a campaign.
but I wonder if we won’t see mor opportunities for the Democrats in future elections. Obama won Virginia and North Carolina, and Georgia was fairly close too (5% McCain victory). If Obama improves the economy sufficiently, I wouldn’t doubt if he would win every Atlantic seaboard state. It can be argued that SC is not as conservative now as Tennessee or Kentucky, and I don’t believe SC has been as conservative as Alabama or Mississippi in the last 20 years.
I think that we should concentrate more on the governor’s race than the 2010 Senate race, where DeMint looks fairly strong and popular with his libertarian leaning beliefs. A moderate Democrat can win the SC governor’s race, just like a moderate Democrat can win the governor’s mansion in NC, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas.
BTW, SC has ignored political parties in the past. Fritz Hollings was consistently re-elected for 30 years because of his ability to bring some pork to the state.
A few others floated for state-wide or fed office:
I’ve never been to Charleston but from what I’ve heard it’s beautiful, clean, and well run. Mayor Joseph P. Riley consistently wins an area of the state that we need to be racking up huge margins in (think of Ketner) and he could post some major credentials as an effective executive winning several awards over his twenty plus year tenure. Maybe the “Mayors against illegal guns” crap could piss of the loonies but an endorsement from the police groups who appreciate him could do the trick.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J…
http://www.charlestoncity.info…
http://www.greenvilleonline.co…
Tilting at idealogial windmills instead of protecting the safety net.
There was a brief discussion on this topic over at Indigo Journal. Some comments of support were made for Jim Rex and Joel Lourie, as well as newcomeer Eddie Black.
http://indigojournal.com/showD…
Earl Capps did a good interview with Senator Lourie.
http://earlcapps.blogspot.com/…
I agree we should put effort into both the Governor and US Senate races. Use the momentum of both and start building further inroads/ laying groundwork.
It is so interesting that we always keep rehashing the same old people to run for statewide office when we should be looking at some quality candidates from other places to run for statewide office. Spratt would be foolish to give up is seat and turn it over to the GOP. Inez has said that she is not running and is looking to ride the Obama Train to a spot in DC or elsewhere as an Ambassador. So let’s really think about who would revive the democratic party statewide. We need a injection of new (and younger) candidates. This is what makes sense to me for a statewide run.
US Senate: Joe Erwin vs. Jim Deminted – Erwin can cut significantly into the Upstate Base of Demint to give himself a chance. He also could match Demint in the fundraising game. Let’s hope Erwin doesn’t have Obama Fever and leave our state for DC
Governor: James Smith or Vincent Sheheen – either candidate has a long enough track record in politics and are likeable enough that they could compete with anyone on the other side in the money game. The question is can a Democrat from Columbia (Smith) position himself better as Governor than a Small Town Senator with deep political roots (Sheheen)? Either way, I think we have a 50/50 shot a beating Gresham McBauer. Dark Horse candidate likely in this spot (see my note on Atty General)
Lt Governor: Barber seems like he can be talked into another run, but I would think a fresh new face would be ripe for this spot too. Think Lourie here.
Attorney General: Could be the most interesting candidacy of the whole ticket. Sen. Gerald Malloy from the Pee Dee would be a prime candidate for this spot. Unblemished credentials. Strong independent streak and would make the whole ticket more exciting because he would be an African American Candidate seeking statewide office. The issue is Malloy has the political muscle and fundraising ability to make a run as Governor as a dark horse candidate.It is rumored that is is considering a run for the top spot. If he does, that changes the game for all the other seats, but if he would be interested in being AG-it would mean a great deal for the democratic ticket in 2010.
http://jonesonpolitics.com/200…
1) Rep. James Smith (D-Columbia). This is one of the most interesting people you will meet in the state of South Carolina. A six-term incumbent, former House Minority Leader, successful lawyer, and father of four, perhaps James Smith’s most attractive political feature is his service in the South Carolina Army National Guard. There he served as Captain in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Talk about a narritive. It’s no secret that Rep. Smith is considering a run for Governor in 2010. The questions will be: does he have the statewide name recognition to win a crowded democratic primary, can he raise the necessary cash to fight off potential self-funded candidates, and after eight years of legislative gridlock thanks to our current governor, is South Carolina ready for a driven, qualified, visionary leader to lead this state? If you ask me, we’re way past ready for someone like James Smith. 2009 will certainly be a year of reckoning for Rep. Smith and his all-but-confirmed gubernatorial run.