Showing posts with label endorsements2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label endorsements2012. Show all posts

Mitt Romney: He can fix our problems

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Ten months ago, the Blogland endorsed the candidacy of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination for President. We expect that few of our readers would be surprised to see that the Blogland stands behind that endorsement. We wholeheartedly stand behind him and encourage our readers to support him - and to get others to cast their votes for him as well.

We've endorsed Mitt Romney because has proven himself to be thoughtful, reasoned and accomplished in a number of areas that qualify him to lead our nation, most notably with regard to creating jobs, fiscal reform, advocating rational policy-making, and boosting national security. Romney is qualified, proven and ready to lead the way to fix the problems at hand and set a more constructive course than we've seen in the last four years.

The issues before the nation in January are still before us today. The economy remains stagnant, unemployment still hovers around the eight percent mark, deficit spending runs unchecked and our weak foreign policies continue to cost American lives and prestige abroad. President Obama has not lived up to his expectations, cautioning that if re-elected, the next four years could well look much like the last four.

That's unacceptable and it's time for a change. Mitt Romney has the track record and experience needed to lead the way for the kind of real and substantive changes that are badly needed.

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Endorsing Paul Thurmond (again)

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With the decision to re-open filing for the GOP field for Senate District 41, three candidates have entered the race: Wally Burbage, Walter Hundley and Paul Thurmond. Here's our take on the three Republican candidates.

Burbage lost a special election primary for the seat handily in the spring. We believe the voters' judgment upon his candidacy should apply to this race as well and it's hard to see how someone who loses in a landslide in the spring could prevail in a second race several months later.

Hundley won the special election primary, defeating three others, including Burbage, in the first round of voting and went on to defeat Democrat Paul Tinkler in the special general contest. He had promised to seek the seat in the special election, to serve as a place-holder until a permanent successor to Glenn McConnell could be elected in November. Now, he's not stepping aside.

The Blogland supported Paul Thurmond for this seat back in June before courts got in the way of the primary. Although there are new faces in the race, we stand by that endorsement:

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Race on for Florence GOP State Committeeman

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With the resignation of Florence GOP state Executive Committeeman Julian Young, the race is on to replace him. Four potential candidates have offered their names for the race:

  • Susan Minck was recently disqualified from her intended bid for Florence County Council but was expected to lose that bid handily. When visiting that area before she was disqualified, we counted at least fifty in-yard sign placements for the GOP nominee, but only one for her. She recently moved to Florence, but starting at the top isn't a way to learn the ropes.

  • Tommy Phillips, a past Florence GOP leader, who recently lost his bid for Seventh GOP District Vice-Chair handily.

  • Mike Reino, a past GOP contender for the Sixth Congressional District seat and former Sixth District GOP Vice-Chair. He's also the well-known author of the SC6 political blog who has developed a state-wide political following between his blog and involvement with the Four Horsemen, a power circle of four long-time GOP activists.

  • Renee Woodberry is a relatively new face in the regional GOP circles. A hard-working local GOP volunteer, she was recently named campaign coordinator for a rural State House candidate.

Given these choices, Florence Republicans should pick Reino.

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Vote for Somebody Tomorrow

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For the most part, it's been a wild and strange year in South Carolina electioneering. So much so that in most places and situations, the race for the Seventh District might seem strange - but around these parts it doesn't. 

Tomorrow is election day and we're joining to join Herman Cain in endorsing the American people - and reminding you to go vote for somebody. 

In this race, it seems just about everyone has weighed in and many of them have endorsed someone. Except the Blogland - and we're not going to endorse anyone running.

And if you haven't gotten enough information upon which to base your decision, then shame on you.

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Jordan Bryngelson for House District 97

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Republican voters casting primary ballots in House District 97 have a very easy decision to make in the upcoming Republican primary. The two candidates seeking their votes have very different backgrounds and sets of qualifications. Of the two candidates, Jordan Bryngelson is the one qualified Republican candidate and has the support of the Blogland.

Bryngelson has long roots in the GOP and has campaigned for numerous Lowcountry Republicans. He also represents Dorchester County on the state GOP's Executive Committee. Not only does this experience mean he'll be ready to work in Columbia, but they also mean these connections will help keep him accountable for casting conservative votes as a legislator.

It's this background which qualifies him above his primary opponent, who last ran for the House as a Democrat and to this day, refuses to be candid about his past intentions or political identity. Carter may  be a recognized business figure in the community, but if he wants to run as a Republican, it would seem that he'd want to establish a record in the Republican Party first.

One choice is a loyal, energetic conservative with proven Republican credentials. The other is a local business figure with questionable affiliations who is seeking to add to his resume. When these are the choices, it's clear that Jordan Bryngelson is the qualified Republican candidate for this House seat. 

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David Stumbo for 8th Circuit Solicitor

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This year, the GOP primary contest in for the 8th Circuit Solicitor's office has been a tough battle between the incumbent Jerry Peace and  David Stumbo. If Republican voters want a career prosecutor with a proven record of being tough on crime and a friend of law enforcement, David Stumbo is the clear choice in the race and has earned the Blogland's endorsement.

Stumbo is a career prosecutor, having prosecuted cases in the adjacent Eleventh Circuit as well as the state's Attorney General's office. When working in the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor's office, he had a ninety percent conviction race. In covering this race, we've talked with a number of people in the region's legal, criminal justice and law enforcement communities and Stumbo had the highest level of support we've ever seen for such an office. This would be reassuring for an open seat race, but against an incumbent, it's a tremendous sign of confidence they have in his ability to serve as Solicitor.

The incumbent's record has been one of great disappointment. In his four years, the record is nothing short of tragic. With those we've talked with, he's lost the confidence of those the Solicitor's office should be an advocate for: victims and their families, fellow prosecutors and law enforcement. This lack of confidence is stunning and we've found some very serious reasons for this lack of support and trust.

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Paul Thurmond for State Senate 41

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State Senate District 41 was one of the most stable districts in the state in terms of representation. Since the state first adopted single member legislative districts in 1985, it had only been represented by Glenn McConnell, one of the first Republican legislators from the Lowcountry until several months ago when McConnell was unexpectedly elevated to the office of Lieutenant Governor opened the seat.

While McConnell's thirty-two years of Senatorial experience will be difficult to replace, the choice for who will succeed him isn't. We're endorsing Republican Paul Thurmond to fill the vacant Senate seat in the Republican Primary which takes place on Tuesday, June 5.

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Why I support Senator Mike Rose

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This is a reprint of an editorial letter which appeared in several newspapers in the Lowcountry which I endorsed the re-election of State Senator Mike Rose:

Every year, mishaps involving buried pipelines and cables kill people and threaten communities across the country. Near-misses and incorrect information about the location of these lines put additional burdens upon public safety agencies, increase the costs of construction projects and delay the completion of much needed highway projects.

While most states toughen the laws regarding underground utility safety only after a tragedy occurs, South Carolina recently updated its laws, which had been considered the oldest and most obsolete in the nation, before a disaster could occur. Leading the way in advancing much-needed reform legislation to tackle this vital public safety issue was Dorchester County’s State Senator Mike Rose.

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Vote Heather Crawford for House District 68

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There are a number of legislative contests around the state where the Blogland will be endorsing candidates. Our first endorsement goes to one of the hardest-working new faces we've seen offering for legislative seats this cycle: Heather Ammons Crawford, who is seeking the GOP nod for House District 68 in two upcoming contests: a special election primary on June 5 to serve out the remainder of the current term (it was vacated by former Rep. Thad Viers several months ago) and a primary for the full term which begins next year.

Crawford is a veteran of Horry County GOP politics, having founded the Grand Strand Young Republicans and served as its Chair for two years, as well as the Horry County Executive Committeeman for the South Carolina Republican Party from 2009-2011. Currently, she serves as the South Carolina National Committeewoman for the Young Republican National Federation.

Just as importantly, she grew up in the area and is active in the Grand Strand in a number of non-political roles which are near and dear to her. She is well-invested in her community and won't require on-the-job training to learn the local issues. Crawford understands the challenges faced by a high-growth area which is struggling to address growth issues while attempting to preserve the quality of life that has made the Grand Strand a choice location for tourists and transplants alike and will be an important ally in those efforts.

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Jim Davis for First District GOP Chair

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When First Congressional District Republicans meet to select new officers and national delegates, they will have a number of choices to make and some good candidates to choose from in filling those slots.

Their first choice should be to elect Jim Davis to serve as their District Chairman.

Jim Davis, a retired business executive, has led the Charleston Tea Party in recent years, one of the largest and most effective of the state's many tea party and conservative activist groups. While other groups have shrunk or divided in feuding since the 2010 elections, the Charleston Tea Party group's size and influence has grown, attracting some of the state's most important politicos to address their members via Question-and-Answer sessions. Davis has played a large role in the group's success.

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Bill Connor to lead Sixth District GOP

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Republicans in the recently-reconfigured Sixth Congressional District met today to elect new officers, as well as delegates and alternates to the upcoming national convention in Tampa.

It was also a good day for the Blogland as four of five of those who won posts were endorsed on this blog earlier this week.

Elected without opposition were new Chair Bill Connor of Orangeburg, Vice-Chair Jim Pratt of St. Matthews, and Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Bryan of Blythewood.

In contested votes, Joe Flowers from Walterboro and Moye Graham from Graham Slough were elected as delegates to the national convention, with Janis Blocker from Round O and Celestine Parker from Columbia elected as alternates. Graham led the voting for delegate seats, drawing votes from nearly ninety percent of convention delegates.

Graham is one of the Four Horsemen of the Political Apocalypse, along with outgoing Chair Tom Grimes, Vice-Chair Mike Reino and blogger Earl Capps.

Considerable praise was given by several speakers for Tom Grimes, the outgoing District Chair who was moved into the Seventh District, including state GOP Chair Chad Connelly and a standing ovation from convention attendees. Grimes is seeking the Chairmanship of the new Seventh District GOP at their upcoming convention.

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Sixth District GOP endorsements: Connor, Pratt, Graham and Bryan

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For the last two decades, South Carolina’s Sixth Congressional District has been a political no-man’s land for Republicans from the top down. Drawn with a black majority, which has assured Congressman Jim Clyburn of an accountability-free tenure in Washington since the district was created from the old Pee Dee-based Sixth District in 1992, it’s a place where few Republicans hold any elected offices.

While Republicans are thin on the ground in this region, some of the state’s best reside in that Congressional district. We’re asking Sixth District Republicans to support the best: Bill Connor for Chair, Jim Pratt for Vice-Chair, Moye Graham for a national delegate slot and Sandra Bryan for Secretary.

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7th District Republicans: Grimes, Richardson & Unity

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As the Seventh District is a new Congressional district (even though it largely restores the long-lasting Pee Dee district that was taken away by judicially-imposed redistricting two decades ago), it gives the opportunity to shake up the region’s politics. Like the historic Pee Dee district, the new Seventh combines the coastal GOP bastions with rural GOP pockets like Florence and Hartsville with rural Democratic-leaning regions.

In 1994, the GOP took a somewhat-similar district when Lindsey Graham flipped the Third District to GOP control. While most of the counties in the district had no Republican office-holders and the District’s legislative delegation was heavily-Democrat, by the time Graham left the seat eight years later, the district was radically transformed, with Gresham Barrett succeeding him in a walk, the GOP holding the legislative majority and Republicans holding office in every county, with council majorities or near majorities in almost every county.

Republicans could accomplish the same in the Seventh, leveraging a Congressional win to help gain ground in traditionally Democratic areas, which would have a noticeable impact upon politics both in the region and statewide. But to do so takes the right kind of leadership from the GOP’s district party.

To provide that kind of leadership, Seventh District Republicans would be wise to support Tom Grimes for Chair and Brad Richardson for Vice-Chair.

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Mitt Romney for President

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A rear view of the Bloglandmobile.

NOTE: The Blogland re-endorsed Romney for the general election. If you want to see the updated endorsement, read here.

The United States faces major challenges both at home and abroad. A stagnant economy has left many Americans convinced things are worse than before Obama took office, while growing interference from the federal government stifles economic growth and a growing debt has funded a series of failed initiatives while providing unprecedented incentives for people not to return to work. Around the world, our nation has lost credibility as our military strength and our will to use it effectively have diminished and our foreign policy grown less decisive.

As the Obama administration lacks the willingness and vision needed to address these growing problems, it’s time for a new President who will take them more seriously and who has the background and leadership ability to get results.

In this year’s Republican Primary, the Blogland has watched the evolving field of candidates, attended many events with the candidates and their representatives and absorbed far more information about them than human beings should be exposed to. After careful consideration, the Blogland will support former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for the nomination.

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