Pot meet Kettle: State House vs. SCRG?
For a long time, I swore I'd try to stay above the fray (or Jerry Springer show) that is South Carolina politics, but lately, it's getting hard not to find some worthwhile points to make.This evening's thoughts are about the ruckus stirred by the SCRG: South Carolinians for Responsible Government. Having entered the political fray a couple of years in an effort to pass school choice legislation, they've now jumped full-tilt into this year's GOP primary battles.
We find the State House GOP caucus leadership crying foul:
"These House members are good Republicans who've worked hard and have represented their district with solid conservative values," Harrell said. "These groups come prepared with misleading names, and they want you to think they represent South Carolina's values. The reality is these organizations come from places like New York and Washington, D.C."
Charleston Post and Courier, 4/21/06
This is just weeks after their recent appeal for support for their incumbents who face primary challenges, and criticism of PACs by House leaders which are raising big bucks to promote their own agendas. One example is cited by the Greenville News:
Harrell has more than $262,000 in his Palmetto Leadership Council PAC account.
Harrell said the organization is dedicated to improving the state's business climate.
It "is an effort to get business folks more involved in the process," Harrell said. Harrell's PAC spends its money helping pro-business candidates.
"We created this organization for the purpose of electing legislators who think in terms of growing South Carolina's economy" he said.
Greenville News, 4/16/06
Really, Bobby, just where does all of this money come from? If it's all South Carolina greenbacks, I'm David Wilkins.
Harrell may be upset that House members are being challenged, but time and time again, challengers get steamrollered by incumbents. The money being spent on legislative races is skyrocketing, and House GOP incumbents are continuing to run ahead of the pack, according to fundraising reports from the watchdog resource at FollowTheMoney.org.
So the playing field is being leveled by a few inches? Challengers are getting a helping hand? Is having to run on their records and work for re-election too much to ask of the Harrell and his colleagues? I hope not.
To be fair, I'm bothered by the decision of the SCRG to not follow state ethics laws. Maybe they don't have to, but they are involved in the electoral process. If they're big enough to play in the ring, they ought to have enough respect to play by the rules.
This claim by the SCRG is a little hard to buy:
Harrell may be upset that House members are being challenged, but time and time again, challengers get steamrollered by incumbents. The money being spent on legislative races is skyrocketing, and House GOP incumbents are continuing to run ahead of the pack, according to fundraising reports from the watchdog resource at FollowTheMoney.org.
So the playing field is being leveled by a few inches? Challengers are getting a helping hand? Is having to run on their records and work for re-election too much to ask of the Harrell and his colleagues? I hope not.
To be fair, I'm bothered by the decision of the SCRG to not follow state ethics laws. Maybe they don't have to, but they are involved in the electoral process. If they're big enough to play in the ring, they ought to have enough respect to play by the rules.
This claim by the SCRG is a little hard to buy:
The organization's leaders have refused to provide more financial information, saying that its supporters need to be protected because they are taking on the government.
Charleston Post and Courier, 4/21/06
The SCRG and groups like them should respect the spirit of the law by disclosing, and Harrell and others can have enough respect for the truth to admit the deck is well-stacked in favor of their incuments, no matter what SCRG does, or where their money comes from. Then, they should go out to the voters, support their candidates, present their arguments, and let the best candidate win.
Who wants to put money on THAT happening?
As always, your opinions are welcomed and encouraged.
Kudos to the Laurin Line and Palmetto Voice for their discussion of issues related to this posting.
Who wants to put money on THAT happening?
As always, your opinions are welcomed and encouraged.
Kudos to the Laurin Line and Palmetto Voice for their discussion of issues related to this posting.
I can tell ya'll love me, and rest assured, I have nothing but love for you guys.
I wonder who ya'll are working for?
Watch them learn to set aside their differences and kick your tail from both right AND left.
Love what you're doing. Keep it up.