Shealy To Run “Anti-Sanford” Candidate Slate
VETERAN SOUTH CAROLINA POLITICAL CONSULTANT SCOOPING UP “HIT LIST” TARGETS
FITSNews - January 25, 2008 - In another masterful marketing move, veteran South Carolina political consultant Rod Shealy is reportedly scooping up new clients off of the so-called “Sanford hit list,” a collection of incumbent State Legislators ostensibly targeted for defeat by S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.
Shealy, who is already working with several legislators named on the list, has been at odds with Sanford for several years after the governor removed his sister from the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission shortly after he took office in 2003. Two years ago, Shealy ran the gubernatorial campaign of Oscar Lovelace, an unknown doctor from Prosperity, S.C. who took a surprising 35% of the Republican primary vote from Sanford.
Shealy also represents the governor’s most vocal antagonist in the Legislature, Lexington Sen. Jake Knotts, although it appears that Knotts’ inclusion on the so-called “hit list” was merely as a “symbolic” target.
What does Shealy’s involvement in the “anti-Sanford” operation mean? Well, for starters it guarantees a no-holds-barred 2008 primary season, as the number of contested seats in the S.C. General Assembly could exceed forty or fifty districts.
As for the tactical considerations, Shealy’s ultimate goal will get the media to play up the “Sanford conspiracy” angle as a method of deflecting attention away from his clients’ records on tax and spending issues.
In doing so, he’ll likely rely again on his son Ross Shealy to portray GOP challengers as little more than tools of the governor and the “wealthy, out-of-state ideologues” who support his ideas.
Will it work?
It depends. Not only is the governor immensely popular in many of these competitive legislative districts, but playing up the notion of a “target list” is always a dicey proposition. Sure, insiders love to delve into its every detail, but the vast majority of voters don’t focus on insider stories or consultant wars the way hardened politicos do.
Plus, assuming news of a “target list” reaches voters with sufficient volume behind it, most will be inclined to ask the natural follow-up question, “well, why are they being targeted?”
Make no mistake, Shealy is very, very good. “Diabolically clever,” if you take our own Sic Willie’s word for it. In fact, over the past eight years he has clearly surpassed Warren Tompkins and is in a virtual tie with Richard Quinn for the “S.C. Top Consultant” mantle.
But as much as Shealy’s skills are at their peak, they will be severely tested by an evolving electoral landscape that places a premium on fiscal conservatism, which is a trait that is sorely lacking in the vast majority of his client roster.
It’s also a gross over-characterization to assume that the entire 2008 GOP primary battle boils down to something as simple as “Sanford v. Shealy.” Dozens of the upcoming races will no doubt hinge on an entirely different set of variables, allegiances and message thrusts, and at the end of the day, consultant wars may make for nice blogging material, but they rarely determine the outcome of an election.
Much more likely is a pitched battle between candidates promising “change” and incumbents faced with defending an abysmal record of progess for our state, which will work against not only Shealy’s clients, but any incumbent that has left his or her “fiscal flank” open to legitimate criticism.
Stay tuned …
Comments
By happydaddy on January 25th, 2008 at 11:03 am
When was the last time an incumbent Republican legislator (House or Senate) was defeated in a primary? (There may have been one, but I can’t recall it) Anyone who thinks that the Governor (or any other “outside” agent) is going to have an appreciable effect on legislative races is a dope.
By Silence Dogood on January 25th, 2008 at 11:15 am
The meetings with him signing up Drummond, Elliot, Leventis, Short or other Dems on the list should be pretty entertaining.
By Harden Gervais on January 25th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Wouldn’t the “abysmal record of progress” be laid on Sanford’s desk for his complete inability to compromise with the legislature?
By Been there, done that on January 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
happydaddy-
Try Rick Quinn in 2004 - defeated in the Republican primary by Nathan Ballentine
By Strunk and White on January 25th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
happydaddy — you mean “affect,” “not effect.” Being illiterate undercuts the effectiveness of a message. You dope.
By Rob W. on January 25th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I sure hope Barbeque and Politics comes back for the primaries, whether it’s supporting incumbents or not. All that site does is kick everyone’s ass all day.
Was Ballentine’s campaign run by Shealy, or did he come up with the strategy to knock on people’s doors all by himself?
By Sad Mama on January 25th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Happy Daddy -
2004: John Kuhn, Larry Koon, Bill Branton
2006: Ken Clark, Becky Martin
By Judah Ben Hur on January 25th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Happy and been there- you missed two
Ken Clark and Becky Martin were knocked off in the 2006 primary cycle - Clark in a runoff, Martin in the primary.
By The bigger picture on January 25th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
No accomplishments? Harden Gervais, you are a moron. How about this as evidence of the “abysman record of progress”:
First-ever small business income tax cut that reduced the state’s top income tax rate for businesses from 7% to 5%
First-ever tort reform bill
First-in-the-nation statewide charter school district
Moving from $1 billion in the red in 2003 to a record $1.5 billion in the black last year
Restoring $750 million in to trust funds that had been raided by the legislature in the Hodges years
Business incentive bills, including the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act, Film Incentive Bill, Venture Capital Bill and Access Program
Moving from a new loss of 3,500 small businesses during the Hodges years to a positive gain of 800
Creating in excess of 150,000 new jobs (higher paying than the old ones) as compared to a net workforce reduction in the Hodges years
Recruiting “21st Century” companies like Boeing - Vought Alenia, Daimler Chrysler, Google, Starbucks, Adidas, Freightliner, Cytec Engineered Materials, GE Aviation, Staples, 3M and Kraft. For more on Commerce’s sterling record, check this link:
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jan/15/s_c_bringing_business27584/
A new joint port with South Carolina and Georgia on the Savannah River in Jasper County
Law enforcement measures like passing tougher DUI standards and domestic violence laws, putting more troops on the road, enacting security fraud protections, an internet predator bill, parole reform to facilitate victims’ testimony against early releases statewide program for management of sex offenders
HHS’ market-based Medicaid program that is cited by the feds as a model for other states to follow, making the growth in our healthcare costs among the lowest in the nation
Good government reforms like campaign finance, anti-bobtailing, elimination of pass-throughs, banning of cabinet agency lobbying
Pathways to Prosperity to allow a high school curriculum to be tailored around career clusters to better prepare students for the 21st century workforce
Protecting more acreage from development than during any other four-year span in state history (77,777 acres protected, including large tracts on the Little Pee Dee and the Cooper River and environmentally significant land like the Marsh Tract, the Hamilton Ridge Tract and the Woodbury Tract
By Silence Dogood on January 25th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
You know, the more I think about it, these 30 plus legislators should feel pretty good. If I am not mistaken didn’t Gov. Sanford literally go door to door campaigning for Wingate against now Sen. Lourie in his 2004 campaign?
This one sixths of the legislature should feel pretty good about their changes come to think of it.
Oh, and “The Bigger Picture,” of all the great stuff you noted about Sanford my favorite was probably “Creating in excess of 150,000 new jobs (higher paying than the old ones) as compared to a net workforce reduction in the Hodges years,” I am glad I read that because I mistakenly thought the percentage of unemployment was continually creeping upwards to new highs under Sanford (despite his shady move of putting the calculation of such under his direct control), now you may buy his lame - amd I mean really lame - excuse it is because our workforce has grown tremendously from all of the pepole in Michigan “loading up U-hauls” and coming down her to find work (”Let’s seen honey, unemployment is terrible her in Michagan, but its also terrible in S.C., but at least the wages are lower down there - Hey! we don’t even have any prospects down there but let’s load up the U-haul and move there anyway with no job in sight…wha’da’ya’ say!?!”). I personal don’t find it that compelling.
By Silence Dogood on January 25th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Oh yeah, and “Good government reforms like campaign finance, anti-bobtailing,” his slush funds for stuff like the alleged hit list an attempts to divert state money toward such are the zenith of how campaign finance SHOULD NOT BE RUN. As for anti-bobtailing, the law already existed - maybe as the e-x-e-c-u-t-i-v-e he could do some more thing in enforcing the law instead of trying to write it, a la workers’ comp., whether you agreed with his ideas or not at least you can rest assured his philosophy on separation of powers is in line with the rulers of most banana republics and other dictators. Word is executive orders are now going to be called decrees?
By Over it all on January 25th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
To The Bigger Picture, aka Joel Sawyer…
To claim credit for everything positive in the last 5 years is silly at best, moronic at worst. Your “fast and loose” claims don’t pass the smell test. But I must say, the general public does not know the facts and figures, so you can continue to get away with it…and so you do.
In the end, it comes to character…and you guys in the Sanford administration are happy with half truths and misstatements. As I said, it is a matter of character.
In the end, he will be remembered as a man of promise that failed miserably because he valued ideological purity over bettering the lives of the average South Carolinian.
By Believe It Not on January 25th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Keep in mind Rod hired sic(k) willie to work for Thomas Ravenel’s campaign. We heard TRav’s sentencing is coming up soon.
Rod’s about the only one around who’ll admit hiring sic(k) willie. And, sic(k) willie’s style of “black ops” certainly FITS (we made a funny, fits, get it!?) with Rod’s style.
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/276174.html
No doubt he’ll hire him again. Probably already has; on a cash basis.
Regarding The Bigger Picture’s comments, we’ like to thank Mrs. Sanfraud for those comments. But nobody’s buying it. Markie-Mark had little to do with any of those things. But that doesn’t stop him from taking credit for the work of others. He’s good at that.
By happydaddy on January 25th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Strunk:
You’re wrong, and a dick - bad combination.
Everyone else:
Thanks for the reminders. It seems that there have been a few. That doesn’t change my central point. Legislative races are local and are not going to be won or lost as a result of intervention by Sanford, SCRG, or any other “outside” agent.
By Stupid is as Stupid Does on January 25th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
happydaddy needs to stick to towing cars, stay out of politics and sign up for charm school. He called someone “a dick.” He sounds like sic(k) willie. After all, willie is known to pump up his hit count. Hmm!
When your “central point” blows up in your face like a williescam, you will always have a credibility problem with readers. happypappy, you demonstrated ignorance in your first post which was so dumb that we think that you’re a sic(k) willie plant. Or maybe just a house plant.
By david duke on January 25th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
if you all really want to get anything done you should bring paul adams out of retirement. He is one of the dirtiest street fight fighters there is!
When he ran a race against his former boss glenn mcconnell, the quinns used sled to mess with him to keep him down. Yeah it is all documented.
If people will go to those lengths to mess with paul adams in a campaign you know that he can mess with the system.
By Mike Green on January 25th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
As far as a Republican knocking off a Republican in a primary what about Kit Spires. He did it last year with the help of Starboard Communications.
By Robert Gossett on January 26th, 2008 at 12:37 am
I think Rep. Skipper Perry will prosper from being on the Sanford hit list, for awhile anyway.
O.K. Skip, bring back that pork!
By Coke Stevenson on January 26th, 2008 at 1:53 am
It is all about the money and getting even for a certain state senator leaking something to the media.
At least do a better job this year. Those folks from out of state are paying good money to buy our legislature.
But, cut the bullshit about how much you care.
By Over it all on January 26th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Stevenson is right…
And I will go a step further. IMNO Mark Sanford’s legacy will be that he sold our state to out of state companies and wealthy individuals just as the Republican leadership in DC has sold out to the “K” Street lobbyist.
From the Commerce Dept to Dept of Health and Human Services to the Dept of Insurance, Sanford has thrown open the doors to anybody with a fat wallet…with little or no concern about the people that are suppose to receive the services. The only thing for sure is that these out of state interests are getting RICH.
The answer is in the 6 501c3 nonprofits…those are the people that secretly donate to Sanford…and those are his TRUE masters. Taxpayers and citizens be damned…Mark Sanford sold us all for his own fortune and glory.
If this were not true, he would certainly open the books to his nonprofits, and show us his contributors…but of course he won’t, and can’t. He has lots to hide.
By Jeffrey Sewell on January 26th, 2008 at 11:56 am
The long established S.C. political consulting machine is the problem: no new ideas, bad data, cookie-cutter operations, and bad candidates. The same-old, same-old produces the same unacceptable results, which frankly does not benefit the folks of South Carolina or further the Republican agenda of change for the better.
The time is now for new consulting firms to step up and step out. With young minds like Boling, Piper, Folks, Ragley and others, there is certainly not a lack of young talent in this state. It is time for them to make their mark. They understand how to recruit on principles, not on dollars in the candidate’s pocket. With the talent pool in SC for both young consultants and young candidates, there is no reason to rely on the traditional establishment any longer. It makes common sense that if you have a good candidate, you can raise the cash necessary to win.
The Huckabee campaign is the perfect example of performing at the top on a shoestring budget, bravo Chip, Drake & Adam. ‘Doing more with less’ is as much a business approach and state of mind as it is a way to govern a State.
On the issues, Conservatives must recognize that we must first cut the waste in our state government.
It is entirely possible to improve services while cutting both waste and taxes. Don’t get me wrong, this will not have the Democrats dancing in the street; it will be quite the opposite. This is the only common sense approach to improving the landscape of South Carolina to encourage new business development, create new jobs and improve the quality of life for all South Carolinian’s.
~Jeffrey Sewell
SCHotline.com
By Mike Honcho on January 26th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Over it all said, “The answer is in the 6 501c3 nonprofits…those are the people that secretly donate to Sanford…and those are his TRUE masters. Taxpayers and citizens be damned…Mark Sanford sold us all for his own fortune and glory.”
Prove it or it didn’t happen. Which member of the House or Senate are you?
Wow, the Sanford haters are out in force.
I guess the saying, “You hate the ones you fear” should become the new state motto.
By Over it all on January 26th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
To Mike Honcho…
I am not a member of the general assembly…I am a taxpayer, and zealous watcher of those that are supposed to be serving the people of SC.
Mark Sanford is raising millions in his nonprofits. But he is the governor of SC and the head of the SC Republican Party. He lives in a house paid for by the taxpayers and they pay for his transportation and security and many other things. He makes decisions every day that affect the people of SC for today and for many years to come.
We have a right to know his paymasters. We have a right to know who they are, and their identities will tell us why they are giving wealth to him. He is supposed to be on OUR payroll, but as many other elected officials and public people are doing he has chosen the loopholes in the nonprofit legislation to raise money without oversight.
Al Gore, Al Sharpton, Jeb Bush, Bill Clinton…and many many others are doing the same thing. Under the darkness of complicated legality, they exchange the public trust for private paymasters. An honorable man would disclose this information…but our system does not require honor of our elected officials. It only necessitates the narcissism essential to thrust oneself onto the pubic in a haze of ego and arrogance. And as his 5 years in office shows, Mark Sanford has shown abundance of both.
An honorable man would disclose this information, and he would do it quickly and completely.
By Mike Honcho on January 26th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I see - so you are accusing him of failing to disclose where he gets his money.
Except it’s on the Elections Commissions website for his campaign as required by law.
It is also interesting that Reform SC has a $3,500 contribution limit and is voluntarily disclosing fundraising and spending.
How many of those leadership PACs do that? You aren’t asking what Dan Cooper, Hugh Leatherman, Bobby Harrell, Harvey Peeler or Glenn McConnell are doing with the money they raise through those PACs. Or better yet, where funds for the House or Senate Republican Caucus come from or where they go.
No sir, you are a either a liar about not being a member of the House or Senate (or perhaps staff?) or you a raging idiot. Either way, if you are, in fact, “Over it all” then you can actually show proof and you will “zealously watch” ALL of the people who are supposed to serve you.
I anxiously await your demands for a complete accounting of ALL fund raising in Columbia.
By Sanford VP for Obama? on January 26th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Mike Honcho,
You noted “I guess the saying, “You hate the ones you fear” should become the new state motto.”
Seriously when are S.C. citizens going to wake up and understand their governor is someone they should live in fear of AND be in love with for it instead of ‘hate.’
“Prove it or it didn’t happen” that’s rich, really rich, O.J. was never ‘proven guilty’ but le’me guess, you are one of those conspiracy theorist who believe he actually did do it right? (See how fun that game is).
Also, if something is not-proven, because the person in question is unwilling to reveal the facts of the situation…? Enjoy your weekend before having to get back to the Gov’s staff on Monday.
By Over it all on January 26th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Dear Mr. Honcho,
I agree with you on your point that they should ALL disclose every nickel given to them, and how it was spent. And I will go one step further, every dime spent by a lobbyist or even the more secretive “business consultant” (as they are called) should be reported on-line during the same calendar week as the contribution or expense was made.
Simply put, you will never find me on the wrong side of disclosure. The public has a complete right to know everything.
Now, much of the nonsense you spout is not worth notice, but I will say this. Reform SC is doing a fair job at disclosure, except it is minimizing its expenses at every turn, and therefore its reporting is not accurate. But I can pass on that for now, as the larger point is that Reform SC is but one of at least 6 nonprofits that are fronting for the governor and so it hardly matters that one is partially respectable. You see, we have all played hide and seek as kids, so we understand misdirection.
So, at your staff meeting next week please tell the governor that nonprofits were so 5 years ago, and that the public is on to them now. He may not be force to disclose now, but at some point he will. So, as they say…sooner is better than later, and now is best of all.
Yes, Mr. Honcho, it is difficult to hide upwards of 6 million dollars in a small state like SC. Loose lips and all that…I am sure you understand.
By Mike Honcho on January 27th, 2008 at 12:07 am
““Prove it or it didn’t happen” that’s rich, really rich, O.J. was never ‘proven guilty’ but le’me guess, you are one of those conspiracy theorist who believe he actually did do it right? (See how fun that game is).”
That’s a brilliant response. I did not make one claim that I could not back up. So let’s make an absolutely ridiculous argument to diminish that very reasonable point.
Let’s be perfectly clear. There are a number of politicians, including those in House and Senate leadership positions, who raise money through a network of PACs and even local non-profits. No one here seems to want to include the whole bunch in the “Let’s see the books” chant.
What I am saying is what’s good for the goose should be good for the gander and all of them ought to open their books.
So someone says six non-profits and names one. What are the other five? That’s what I thought. Make a claim and we’ll pretend it’s the truth.
Yes - anyone who defends the Governor must work for him. Let me guess, because no one you know likes him. Right Senator/Representative ????? Wake up and stop being so paranoid.
You girls have fun with your conspiracy theories. The helicopter noise is starting to give me a headache.
By Over it all on January 27th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Honcho,
Learn to read. It will save time for us all.
I want ALL nonprofits brought into the sunlight. Including those run by the House and Senate caucuses, their members, PACS, etc. There is simply no excuse for anything else.
The mantra ought to be disclose, disclose, disclose. And the Governor can show leadership by starting it all. Disclose, disclose, disclose…and in doing so allowing the people of SC will see who it is that actually runs SC.
But of course the Governor has many out-of-state paymasters so I doubt he will ever disclose, let alone provide leadership for disclosure by others. In fact, the shame of Mark Sanford is that when given the opportunity to lead he has forfeited that opportunity and instead chosen to sit on the sidelines and howl about those that have chosen to act. He could create a climate that would require action by the powerful…but he will not.
That is Mark Sanford…a waste of a man with great promise at a time when we, the people of SC, need such a man.