The Palmetto Power 100: Part I

THE FIRST HALF OF OUR MUCH-ANTICIPATED LIST

FITSNews – August 24, 2008 – The “Palmetto Power 100″ began last year as a fun little experiment to figure out who the most powerful politicos in South Carolina were. No other websites or mainstream media outlets were attempting anything like it, so we decided to give it a shot.

Needless to say, the response we received exceeded even our wildest expectations, which is one reason we’ve gone the extra mile this year to try and compile a better, more thorough, more accurate list.

In fact, we even invited a handful of trusted colleagues to take a look at our draft lists and make recommendations – which believe it or not resulted in some reshuffling of our original rankings. Oh, that reminds us – thanks not only to those five friends (Auntie, Sexy, Syrupy, Shiny and Shiny, Jr.), but also to the hundreds of people who called or e-mailed us with their suggestions. Thank you!

We’ll be covering Numbers 51 through 100 today, with the Top 50 power brokers coming sometime this week. Seriously, we’re not trying to be teases … it’s just that this stuff takes time, people. Of course, you can always sign up for our e-mail alerts (scroll down, look for the sign-up box on right side of the page) if you want to make sure you’re the first to get the goods.

So, without further adieu, the first round of envelopes, please …

51. Kevin Hall – Attorney, Nelson Mullins (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 80%
Stock: Still rising
Last Year: #65
Change Agent: Yes

Hall’s connections with the top GOP politicians in South Carolina (Sanford, Graham and DeMint) combined with his high-profile involvement in most of the state’s big political lawsuits make him hugely influential, which is why he remains the heir apparent to Katon Dawson as the next chairman of the State Republican party, if that’s what he wants to do. Kevin is one of those rare insiders who combines fundraising skills, communications skills, legal skills and public policy skills – and the fact he’s a true fiscal conservative (well, except for his work with the State Ports Authority) makes him an even rarer find.

52. Ed Sellers – S.C. Blue Cross Blue Shield

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 20%
Stock: Holding like the cigarette tax
Last Year: #51
Change Agent: No

It must be nice to roll the way Ed Sellers rolls, with a multimillion dollar pad on Sullivans Island and a megaphone on state economic policy (which he’s not afraid to use) that few private sector leaders have ever enjoyed. Unfortunately, Sellers is a big government stooge who wants to raise the cigarette tax to pay for an unprecedented expansion of Medicaid – a.k.a. a public policy disaster for our state. Sure, it would benefit his company, but it would also blow a huge hole in the state budget. Sellers’ juice was sufficient to get a cig tax increase passed through our state’s leftist legislature this year, but it was blocked by a veto from his old friend Mark Sanford.

53. Bobby Hitt – BMW North America

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Kind of a big deal
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: No

Grizzly and curmudgeony as hell, Bobby Hitt still moves the Upstate political world and gets his calls returned by everybody who’s anybody in this state. Of course, that sort of clout comes naturally when you work for BMW and everybody wants to kiss your ass. Seriously, BMW could line up a bunch of school kids, shoot them Gestapo-style and lawmakers would still be tripping over themselves to provide the tax credits for them to purchase the bullets. Anyway, Hitt’s pull in business and political circles isn’t just limited to the Upstate, either. As far as we can tell, he’s got the State Ports Authority in his back pocket, too.

54. Lewis Gossett – President, S.C. Manufacturers’ Alliance (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 60%
Stock: Bald, but rising
Last Year: #64
Change Agent: Sometimes

Gossett is easily the most politically-savvy and well-connected of all the State House association leaders. Throw in the fact that his organization will always be one of the state’s strongest and you’ve got a unique confluence of influence (editor’s note: rhyme alert ). Gossett’s growing, well-oiled machine thrives off of lawmakers’ natural inclination to take care of home-grown industry, something which his legendary behind-the-scenes engagement in the campaign arena only stokes. Bottom line? You don’t want to go up against this slick-domed insider.

55. Rick Quinn, Jr. – Richard Quinn & Associates (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 70%
Stock: Rising like his Golden Tee score
Last Year: #69
Change Agent: Sometimes

People always say we position Rick way too high on our list because he’s a friend (and fellow Golden Tee legend). That Golden Tee thing is true, but it doesn’t make him any less influential. Rick may be out of the political spotlight, but with a consulting firm, mail shop and politico-frequented restaurant under his wing, he’s still got his finger on everybody’s pulse. Also, he and his father scored huge with McCain’s South Carolina victory, and between them they probably advise nearly half the Republicans in the General Assembly. On top of all that, Rick is an expert on State House politics and budget policy, making him one of the guys Republican lawmakers turn to for advice on a daily basis.

56. Trey Walker – McCain’s Southeast Campaign Manager

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #91
Change Agent: Sometimes

Another Quinnie, “Trey Boy” is now movin’ and schmoozin’ as John McCain’s big dawg in the Southeast, which we assume involves telling a whole lot of people what to do every day. He’s as close to a “good ol’ boy” as they come, but to the victors go the spoils, and Walker definitely has bragging rights at the moment – particularly over all the political animals who scurried off the McCain bandwagon when it was at its nadir. Trey has also helped position Henry McMaster as one of the frontrunners for the 2010 gubernatorial campaign in S.C., which is another way of saying he’s had a pretty good run of late. Love him or hate him, this former Carowinds employee is on the way up.

57. Yancey McGill – State Senator (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: No

Yancey is one of the most upwardly-mobile powerbrokers in the S.C. Senate, which is odd considering he’s in the minority party and hails from one of the most backwoods parts of the state. Nonetheless, he’s become a go-to guy for leaders of both parties striving to find common ground on contentious issues. Yancey will never be a “front-page” politician, but his work below the radar is earning him IOU’s by the hundreds. He also benefits from the fact that both his daughter Lisa and his son John are quickly emerging as two of the top young lobbyists in the business. Can anybody say power family?

58. Butch Bowers – Attorney, Nelson Mullins

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 90%
Stock: Rising and fast …
Last Year: #76
Change Agent: Yes

One of the most understated, lesser-known personalities on our list, there’s a strong case to be made that Butch Bowers is the single-most powerful lawyer in South Carolina. Not to mention the most talented. Possessing a brilliant analytical (and political) mind, Bowers’ client roster is loaded with heavy hitters, and his calm, deliberate manner and dispassionate dispensation of eminently sensible advice has earned him their unwavering trust and unflinching loyalty. Bowers may not be as well-known as his colleague Kevin Hall (#51), but he’s every bit as well-connected and well-positioned to drive politics and policy in this state.

59. Beth Padgett – Editorial Page Editor, Greenville News

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 50%
Stock: Up a little
Last Year: #63
Change Agent: Sometimes

Despite tacking hard to the left of late in her musings, Padgett is still viewed as the lone major independent editorial voice in this state – which is solid gold real estate compared to the establishment sycophants at La Socialista (a.k.a. The State) and the “Sanford Love Club” at the Charleston Post and Courier. Padgett’s ability to outline sensible rationales (not schoolgirl crush-sounding rationalizations) for the positions she takes also heightens her endorsements’ prestige, although the uber-liberal influence of her second-in-command, Paul Hyde, has diminished the objectivity of her paper considerably in recent months. For the time being, however, Padgett is the top editorial writer in the state and as such holds a tremendous amount of influence.

60. Chris Drummond – Political Consultant

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #82
Change Agent: Sometimes

As slippery, elusive and surreptitious as ever, Chris Drummond continues to exercise substantial influence far beyond his home town of Charleston. The former Sanford Communications director is not only regarded for his statewide TV connections (which are unrivaled in the business), but for his keen strategic sensibilities and under-the-radar approach to producing big results for his clients. He still can’t write his way out of a paper bag (Sic Willie handled those chores for him in the governor’s office), but Drummond’s exemplary messaging work is supplemented by a renowned ability to leak sensitive information (and misdirect its source) with CIA-level skill. “Source-protected?” You better believe Drummond is.

61. Curtis Loftis – Philanthropist, Political Activist (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 80%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #85
Change Agent: Yes

After singlehandedly turning around the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging with a mix of conservative-minded efficiency reforms and overt political toughness, Loftis is on everybody’s watch-list at the moment as a possible statewide candidate. A millionaire with a charitable foundation and several successful businesses under his belt, he’s an emerging player with a bright future ahead of him if he chooses wisely. And based on everything we’ve seen from him thusfar, we have no doubt that he will.

62. Kristin Maguire – Chairman, State Board of Education (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 95%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #86
Change Agent: Yes

People say the State Board of Education has no power, and they’re right. But Maguire’s position as Chairman of that board is just a small slice of her sphere of influence. The preeminent voice for education reform in this state as well as its foremost policy expert, Maguire has everyone’s ear, even those who don’t agree with her. Plus she’s got two other assets that help enhance her clout – money and sex appeal. The extensive liberal outcry over her appointment to an essentially powerless board (solely because she home schools her children) was frankly a long-overdue public compliment for the tremendous behind-the-scenes influence this immensely-gifted woman wields.

63. Jenny Sanford – First Lady (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #27
Change Agent: Yes

Speaking of immensely-gifted women, South Carolina’s First Lady is still an “Old Testament woman with a 170 IQ.” She’s also still undefeated as a campaign manager, and has undisclosed veto power over the state’s executive branch of government (i.e. her husband). So why the precipitous decline in power? Well, after the Sanfords’ landslide reelection in 2006, Jenny has been slowly but surely disengaging herself from her husband’s office, spending a lot more time at the beach with the kids. Obviously, she’s still got a huge hand in things and a public profile of her own, but the word we’re getting is that she’s not using it to the extent she used to.

64. Larry Wilson – Entrepreneur

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising, lamentably
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Not on your life

Bobby Harrell’s big government “Svengali,” Wilson is a successful entrepreneur and businessman who now sadly represents everything that’s wrong with this state’s so-called “business community.” In his corporate life, Wilson took risks and succeeded big, but now in his role as a political animal he advances policies that discourage the vast majority of small businesses in this state from emulating his success. Sure, he’s praised for being a cutting edge thinker who can spit out impressive sounding phrases (i.e. “innovation pipelines”) but the fact is this architect of Harrell’s recent “Jobs plan” has forgotten where he came from. The vast majority of businesses in this state just want government to cut their friggin’ taxes and stay the hell out of their way, two things Wilson clearly doesn’t advocate.

65. Otis Rawl – President, S.C. Chamber of Commerce

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Not up to this point

We’re going to give Otie a chance. His organization has been an utter fraud and failure when it comes to advancing pro-business reforms in this state, but he’s more conservative than his predecessor and he knows the ropes of power in South Carolina better than anyone. Use those skills for good, Skywalker.

66. Cindi Ross Scoppe – Associate Editor, La Socialista (a.k.a. The State Newspaper)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 5%
Stock: Falling like her paper’s circulation
Last Year: #52
Change Agent: Hell no

She doesn’t have a splashy liberal blog like her boss, Brad Warthen, but Cindi once again makes our list because she’s infinitely more substantive (and less annoying) than the Unabomber look-alike. Sadly, she’s becoming more and more a tool of the state’s failed status quo, and the fact that she’s substantive doesn’t mean she’s right. Turds have substance, people. In fact, “Pippi Wrongstockings” is hardly ever right anymore, hence her nickname.

67. Jim Hodges (D) – Lobbyist, Former Governor

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 5%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #74
Change Agent: No

Jim Hodges got stuff done as a legislator. He got stuff done as Governor. Not surprisingly, he’s now getting stuff done as a lobbyist, which has bumped him up a few slots on our list. Unfortunately, all the stuff he got done back then and is getting done currently is bad stuff. Oh well, in a state where the majority of Republicans are really Democrats, it’s incredibly easy for liberals like “The Hove” to accomplish quite a bit for their special interest masters.

68. Laura Hudson – Victim’s Rights Advocate

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Pretty much holding …
Last Year: #61
Change Agent: Sometimes

Homegirl still has the “thousand yard stare” and remains one of the most effective power brokers in the business. Not to mention, she has absolutely no problem cutting ass when it suits her purposes. Tough, respected, tireless and unquestionably pure of heart, Laura is someone we think every young female lobbyist should look up to as a role model.

69. Oran Smith – President, Palmetto Family Council (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Holding
Last Year: #71
Change Agent: ?

Oran has done a pretty good job keeping social conservative issues relevant in South Carolina’s corridors of power despite their diminished presence on voters’ radar screens. He’s still preaching to a shrinking choir (like we said last year), but you don’t want to piss off a man who has the ability to incite a large and vocal chunk of GOP-dom against you. By the way, don’t read anything into the fact that Smith is ranked #69 this year. That’s a total coincidence. 69 … get it? Awww … c’mon. That’s funny.

70. Joe Taylor – S.C. Commerce Secretary (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #55
Change Agent: No

We’ve always thought that Taylor was overrated. Plus a whole gaggle of of status quo lawmakers like him, which makes him immediately suspect in our book. So far – like his predecessor Bob Faith – Taylor hasn’t done a whole helluva lot to inspire our confidence in South Carolina’s economic recruitment efforts. Of course, considering what he’s got to work with, it’s hard to fault him for that.

71. Darla Moore – Philanthropist (Liberal)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 5%
Stock: Falling fast
Last Year: #54
Change Agent: No

Darla has figured out that our tax system is broken. Unfortunately, she’s channeling Jimmy Carter in her efforts to fix it. Her personal fortune and the fact that old guys think she’s hot make her a player, but like Larry Wilson her liberal loyalties ensure that her influence only perpetuates our state’s failure.

72. Larry Grooms – State Senator (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 95%
Stock: Rising fast
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Yes

Larry Grooms is a straight-up pimp for fiscal conservatism, and his total lack of fear in taking on the “powers that be” has earned him a special place in our hearts. Now if his wisdom can just earn a special place in the S.C. code of laws. Still, Grooms is a darling of taxpayers everywhere, a top restructuring advocate and an unapologetic school choice backer. When the worm turns in this state, he’ll be King of the Mountain, people. Hopefully, when that day comes he’ll do something really cool like calling Leatherman a “little bitch” on the Senate floor or something.

73. Sue Berkowitz – Appleseed Legal Justice Center (Liberal)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising Like Our State Spending
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Hell no

She owns the Senate banking committee – despite the fact that it’s run by a “Republican” and despite the fact that she happens to be slightly to the left of Bill Maher and Barbra Streisand’s love child, assuming they have one. In fact, if Berkowitz gets any more powerful, we’ll all be sporting sandals and not showering very much while wearing flowers in our hair and forking over 80% of our income to the government. Kum-by-ya, indeed, people.

74. Dana Beach – Coastal Conservation League (Liberal)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: No

Beach gets props for boosting his visibility over the past year with a kooky little ad campaign, but the fact is the Greenies are on the ropes. We like Dana, especially when he rips the morons running the Ports Authority, but the fact is his organization has a fight on its hands as economic concerns start trumping people’s interest in tree-hugging.

75. Steve Benjamin – Attorney (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 35%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #77
Change Agent: ?

Ever since his unsuccessful bid for Attorney General six years ago, Benjamin’s influence has steadily increased – and not just in Democratic circles. He’s one of the few genuinely pro-business Dems who’s demonstrated an ability to cultivate support on both sides of the aisle, and we think he’s definitely got another statewide bid in his future at some point. In the meantime, being one of Columbia’s biggest big-shot attorneys as well as a force to be reckoned with on both the City and State Chambers of Commerce isn’t a bad gig.

76. Tony Denny – Political Consultant (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Sometimes

One of the fastest talkers in the business, Tony Denny definitely should have been on our list last year. He’s friends with everybody, has an encyclopedia for a brain and always seems to know what tomorrow’s big news stories are going to be. With a vaunted GOP pedigree of former and current clients, Denny is an institution in his own right in this state. Now if we can just get him to talk a little bit slower, we might be able to understand him.

77. Katon Dawson- SCGOP Chairman (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 70%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #34
Change Agent: Sometimes

Let’s face it – it’s been a shitty year for S.C. Republicans. They can’t agree on who’s in charge of their party, they’re spending money faster than Democrats ever dared to, and they lost huge chunks of their base in the January presidential primaries. So far, they’ve been lucky to hold onto their majorities at the State House, but there’s no guarantee that luck will hold beyond the next two election cycles. Dawson has finally recognized that his party’s candidates better get their act together, but the fact that they haven’t up to this point has cost him. On the plus side, he’s got a solid communications hand in Rob Godfrey, as well as a strong dollar-dialer in Sunny Phillips on his bench.

78. Joe Wilson – U.S. Congressman (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 50%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: #72
Change Agent: No

“What’s he doing back there? We never know what he’s doing back there.” What the heck is Joe Wilson doing? Who knows … handing out key chains and putting out a press release every five minutes, the last time we checked.

79. Harry Ott – Democratic Minority Leader (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #44
Change Agent: No

The “Shadow Speaker” controls his votes – unlike the real Speaker, who has to lord committee assignments and other perks over the heads of Republicans in order to keep them in line … which, incidentally, he still isn’t able to do all that well. Ott, on the other hand, has got fifty votes on pretty much any issue, and they’re generally in lockstep. Maybe the real Speaker should take some notes. Of course Ott’s power is confined to the State House, as his window for taking it to the next level seems to have passed.

80. Tim Scott – Charleston County Councilman, Representative-elect (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Yes

How does a guy who hasn’t served a day in the legislature make this list? Easy, he’s Tim Scott – the first African-American Republican to be elected in this ass-backward state since Reconstruction. Trust us, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more popular person at the State House next year, as everybody pushing a bill is going to want Tim’s seal of approval along with a prominent speaking role for him at the bill’s unveiling. Scott will have to play his power wisely, but the fact that he’s a black guy who got elected in a redneck district over two white rednecks (and did so without a runoff) signals that he’s up for the challenge. Also, Tim’s strong character – he’s one of the few politicians we’ve ever met who possesses a real inner compass – will also help steer him in the right direction.

81. Adam Fogle – Editor, Palmetto Scoop (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: ?

Long before he broke the infamous “So Gay” scandal, Fogle was consistently publishing of the top political blogs in the state. Sure, he’s an online pimp for the Richard Quinn empire, but Fogle at least breaks newsworthy stories and injects some legitimate insights amidst all the shilling for RQA faves like John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Henry McMaster. A great writer and an increasingly influential online pundit, we’d be remiss not to remind you that the folks Fogle is fawning over (say that five times real fast) are also all on the uptick in S.C. politics at the moment, which enhances his already strong positioning within the “blow’d up” blogosphere.

82. Eddie Floyd – GOP Money Man (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Fading fast
Last Year: #66
Change Agent: No

Floyd’s downward trajectory started back in 2002 when Mark Sanford told him he didn’t need his money to get elected governor – and then made good on that promise. Another dinosaur on our list, Floyd is a shadow of the “Kingmaker” he once was, but he can’t be completely written off. Money still talks in the business, and Floyd can still get it for you in sizable amounts.

83. Tom DeLoache – SC BIPEC (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 80%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #70
Change Agent: Sometimes

One of the few political insiders who’s actually committed to advancing conservative ideas in this state, DeLoache’s annual pro-business scorecards are always prime fodder for the forces fighting to control the destiny of the Republican Party in this state. Last year, DeLoache stuck it to powerful RINO’s in a big way, but this year he softened up and took it way too easy on them. Still, he’s a guy who grades the guys who make the laws, so that counts for a lot in terms of influence.

84. Ann Timberlake – Conservation Voters of S.C. (Liberal)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #68
Change Agent: No

There are some signs that Ann is getting sloppy with her influence, and it certainly hasn’t been the best of years for the CVSC in terms of leveraging its clout at the polls. She’s still got a lot of pull, although allegations of vote-trading for endorsements continue to dog her, and according to the insiders we spoke with it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Plus, Timberlake and her enviro-friendly accomplices will going up against some serious insider muscle at the State House from here on out, as several of our Top 100 powerbrokers have apparently decided that going “too green” is bad for business.

85. Burnie Maybank – The Revenue Man (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 20%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #57
Change Agent: No

Why so many people listen to this pompous, left-leaning blowhard we’ll never know. So your family ruled the state at one point in time and you’re richer than God? Who cares? Maybank is as big a status quo shyster as there is in South Carolina, and his efforts to give the government more money to spend made him beloved by the legislative goons he served (while he was ostensibly working for Gov. Mark Sanford as Revenue Director). He’s definitely influential, but sadly he’s all about using that influence to grow government at the expense of our economy.

86. Joel Lourie – State Senator (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 5%
Stock: Dropping Fast
Last Year: #46
Change Agent: No

This time last year, Lourie was the man most expected to run for governor from the Democrats’ young Triumvirate (which also includes Sen. Vincent Sheheen and Rep. James Smith). In fact, the three young guns got together and decided amongst themselves that Lourie was going to be the guy mounting the top bid in 2010. Things have changed dramatically since then, however. Smith is now “the man” and Lourie, while no doubt still a major force in Democratic politics, is relegated to raising the big sweet dollars for his good friend’s impending statewide campaign.

87. Fred Allen – Lobbyist

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Holding
Last Year: #87
Change Agent: Not really

Fred’s a consummate insider who has been around the game a long time. His firm features one of the most distinguished client rosters of any lobbyist, and he’s generally been on the winning side of the big issues he’s engaged. Still, there’s a sense that dinosaurdom is lurking just over the horizon for him, although Allen has proven himself like most lobbyists to be eminently-adaptable. Conservative or liberal, if you’re pulling the strings, there’s a good chance that Fred’s trying to pull yours.

88. James Barker – President, Clemson University

Fiscal Conservative Rating: Zippo
Stock: Comes and goes … Sort of like Tommy Bowden
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: No

We left the “higher eddies” out of last year’s list because we frankly don’t think these ivory tower idiots are anywhere near as important as they think they are. Having said that, Barker definitely brings a little bit of (orange) juice to the table .. well, at least when he’s not squirreling away millions of tax dollars in a secret slush fund while jacking tuition every year on South Carolina parents. Bad, Barker, Bad.

89. Inez Tenebaum – Former State Superintendent of Education (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Dropping Fast
Last Year: #43
Change Agent: Only if the change you’re talking about is bad.

Once considered a legitimate prospect for the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nod, we’re hearing from both Elephants and Donkeys alike that Inez’s stock is dropping like a rock these days. Frankly, as much as we like her personally, it’s about time this happened. Tenenbaum doubled the number of bureaucrats at the State Department of Education during her eight-year tenure there and still managed to produce the world’s worst education system. Yeah, big surprise, we know. Of course in all fairness to her, Inez was at least much more honest about her pro-monopolistic, anti-competitive ideology than Jim Rex, who wants everybody to think he’s all about school choice and other reforms.

90. Annette Young – State Representative (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #75
Change Agent: Negative, ghost rider.

If she could stay away from Dewar’s White Label Scotch, Annette would be in the top 20. As it is, she’s a washed-up, bitter old hag who sneers at people a lot … oh, and does whatever the Bobbycrats in the House leadership tell her to do.

91. Walter Whetsell – Political Consultant (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Falling for the moment
Last Year: #73
Change Agent: Most of the time

It was definitely a “down” primary season for Walter, but he’s clearly become a member of the “Big Four” of South Carolina political consultants. Wait .. that analogy sort of works, doesn’t it? Tompkins is like the Italian, Quinn is like Woodrow Wilson, Shealy is like that kooky French dude and Whetsell is whoever the British guy was. Anyway, Whetsell’s mail is the sharpest of any of the top four firms, and like the other big boys he also plays ball in multiple states. Plus he’s got two solid young political hands in BJ Boling and Le Frye working in his stable, which bodes well for his firm in future election cycles.

92. Joe Riley – Mayor, Charleston (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: Zip
Stock: He’s still aware of his surroundings, we think
Last Year: #80
Change Agent: No, but he runs a fun town

Sure he’s eleventy kabillion years old, but Joe Riley is still kickin’ it old school in the Holy City. People say Knox White (Greenville) and Bob Coble (Columbia) have more juice, but we’ve never bought that. Charleston is and will always be where it’s at in South Carolina, a tiny slice of civilization in the middle of a third world disaster zone.

93. Harris Pastides – President, University of South Carolina

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 5%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: No

When he’s not gobbling up downtown Columbia real estate for his research campus or cheering for the world’s most disappointing college football team, Harris Pastides is no doubt struggling with the fact that he has a very funny-sounding name. In all seriousness, though, South Carolina’s Pastides and Clemson’s James Barker (#88) have been two of the biggest money-guzzling, change-resistant forces in this state’s history. And sadly, they perpetuate the status quo under the carefully-constructed veneer of cleverly-labeled “progress.” Sheesh. Whatever … raising tuition every year and incessantly bitching about revenue with nothing whatsoever to show for your efforts isn’t our definition of progress.

94. Wes Donehue – Political Consultant (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Feared in Goose Creek
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: No

We’ll give one of the Warren Tompkins’ devils his due. Homeboy builds good websites and despite his celebrated history of “Goose Creek-style violence,” he’s actually not a bad dude when properly medicated. Sadly, his client roster is turd-blossom central, but we’ll at least give him props for being a good turd polisher.

95. Gerald Malloy – State Senator (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 5%
Stock: Floatin’ Like a Butterfly
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: No

He looks like a big cuddly teddy bear but don’t be fooled – he can sting like Ali when he wants to. Malloy is definitely a Democratic star on the rise and an emerging powerbroker who (along with #57 Yancey McGill) hails from the middle of nowhere yet enjoys disproportionate clout in the Senate. Unlike several of his colleagues, Malloy’s potentially damaging trial lawyer background also bounces right off of him. How come? Well, he’s smart enough not to get too greedy and to recognize that he stands to benefit far more in the long run by not overtly crossing ethical boundaries. Smart move, and a key to his rising influence.

96. John Hazzard – Senate Aide-de-Camp (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 65%
Stock: Bubbling up like Diet Coke
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Could be …

A consummate behind-the-scenes player, Hazzard’s aloofness and odd mannerisms belie a razor sharp mind and even sharper political savvy. As the right hand man to Senate President Glenn McConnell, he enjoys a perch of near-unrivaled influence at the State House, and he generally utilizes his institutional knowledge and legislative expertise to put that lofty position to good use. Like lobbyist JJ Darby, we worry about Hazzard’s frighteningly-excessive Diet Coke addiction (he consumes up to twelve of the sodas on any given day), but hey, we’re not his internist.

97. Dwight Drake – Lobbyist (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Ear Hair: Still long
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: No

Almost everybody we talked with said Drake should be higher on our list. To which we said “whatever.” We wanted to give him an honorable mention, but so many people whined and whimpered we decided to put him on here in spite of our better judgment. Hope you dinosaur lovers are happy …

98. Ed McMullen – Public Affairs Specialist (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Sometimes

We took some grief for including “McMuffin” on our list this year, but the truth is since leaving the S.C. Policy Council he’s landed some pretty influential clients and is producing for them in a big way. He’s also becoming a go-to guy for energy clients, an issue that looms particularly large on the political stage right now – and pays nicely, to boot.

99. Jeffrey Sewell – Editor, SC Hotline

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 70%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Most of the time

Sure he’s strange and at times absolutely unintelligible, but when you run the state’s prime political web portal, the fact is you’ve got a lot of pull. Sewell is in sole control over at the SC Hotline now, and as such decides who and what gets featured (and where) on this still very popular news aggregator. Now if we can just get him to stop wearing those faggoty ascots …

100. Lachlan MacIntosh – Political Consultant (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 20%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Possibly …

Similar to our selection of young Republican operative BJ Boling last year, this one will probably raise some eyebrows. As in “who the hell is Lachlan McIntosh?” Well, since you asked, McIntosh is the guy who’ll be at the top of the consulting heap a decade from now when Democrats are running the state again. Along with Zeke Stokes, he’s a young campaign gun for the minority party who is consistently producing winners while older liberal advisers like Rick Silver and Bud Ferillo fade further off into corporate irrelevancy. And don’t look now, but he’s got a live one running against Congressman Joe Wilson.

UPDATE: To view those worthy power brokers who for whatever reason didn’t make the list, check out our honorable mentions.