Sick of 2008 already? Fed up with the pandering platitudes of ObaMcCain?
Good … because while your presidential vote here in South Carolina is pretty much meaningless, you can help steer the debate over who becomes South Carolina’s next governor in 2010 by voting right here on FITSNews.
We’ll be doing a couple “statewide snapshots” over the next couple of months as we head toward Spring 2009, which is when you’ll start seeing a lot of South Carolina politicians begin to announce their intentions.
We’re starting today with the Republicans and we will be “doing the Democrats” tomorrow, with future snapshots coming in the months ahead to show whether or not support for these candidates is strengthening or slipping.
Incidentally, the Dems got some bad news today as it relates to former Republican gubernatorial candidate Oscar Lovelace, who is now reportedly not running for governor as an independent.
Lovelace, who had staked himself out pretty far as a candidate with the Greenville News and other outlets, is now telling his supporters he won’t run – which we think hurts the Democrats’ chances of picking up this office in 2010 (and signals that Lt. Gov. André Bauer is definitely running on the GOP side).
Anyway, to the poll! And be sure to post any names you think we may have missed in the comments section after the poll …
Who Should Be South Carolina's Republican Gubernatorial Nominee in 2010?
- Congressman Gresham Barrett (33%, 120 Votes)
- Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (15%, 56 Votes)
- GOP Majority Leader Jimmy Merrill (14%, 50 Votes)
- State Rep. Nikki Haley (14%, 50 Votes)
- Attorney General Henry McMaster (12%, 45 Votes)
- None of the Above/ Unsure (12%, 44 Votes)
Total Voters: 365
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By Not So Dum September 25, 2008 at 10:47 am
I hope Jim Rex and Inez square off in 2010 for the Democrats. It’ll be great to watch them fight over who screwed up the most at Dept. of Ed.
By Stan V. Hermes September 25, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Jimmy is a decent guy who has a love of fishing, probity, and South Carolina. He loves this state, from its windswept dunes to its humid little ticker.
By Don Johnson September 25, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Reese Witherspoon!
By Common Sense Lowcountry September 25, 2008 at 1:45 pm
There has got to be a better lowcountry candidate than Merrill…Bauer doesn’t count. What about Campsen or Davis?
By GOP September 25, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Stan: explain your comment please for those of us who don’t get it
By Rob W. September 25, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Bob Conley, for both the Republican and Democrat primaries.
By McMaster in a Cakewalk September 25, 2008 at 2:58 pm
These polls are definitely not representative of the normal South Carolinian. These candidates are who the blogosphere wants to see. We’ll see McMaster square off against Bauer in a runoff. Write it down.
For the Dems… Inez isn’t running, and I wouldn’t be so sure that Jim Rex is either. That’s just wishful thinking by the GOP. It’s going to come down to Veteran/State Rep. James Smith and self-made millionaire Joe Erwin… who also happens to be from the Upstate.
By Jerry September 25, 2008 at 3:28 pm
No doubt Gresham gets to run-off. If it is McMaster or Bauer in it with him, Barrett wins. A low country candidate however could take it easily. Campsen, Davis, Merrill. . .hell, maybe Chad Waldorf will run. A fiscally conservative low country candidate would have it in the bag. Gresham takes the Upstate, Bauer and McMaster split the midlands. What’s left? Oh, only a third of the GOP primary vote who isn’t particularly fond of any of the current 3 possibilities.
By nope September 25, 2008 at 4:37 pm
McMaster in a cakewalk is right.
By Run Nikki! September 25, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Since I’ve said it so many other times I can’t pass on this opportunity to suggest that I think Nikki would be a really good candidate. Think she’d have a lot of appeal – much broader than some of you think (when droning on about her cultural heritage, etc.). Mark my words. She’s got a big future ahead of her.
Nikki Setzler, on the other hand…
By New to this... September 25, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I’m fairly new to this, but I think it would be great to have either Dan Cooper or Hugh Leatherman run for something. I just think they’re two great guys, and no one ever seems to talk about them. I would have to throw Jake Knotts in the mix as well… maybe Luke Rankin too.
By Junior September 25, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Barrett: Good Guy, got the family and looks, conservative, although sends a squishy kind of image like he won’t be strong or a true conservative.
Merrill: Please tell me this one was a filler.
Bauer: Another good guy, looks the part, semi-conservative, again will he follow the statehouse status quo or actually do something Republican?
McMaster: Not really a chance. Ran the Republican Party in the ground and has lost some huge no brainer cases. Although he is well suited for where he is.
Haley: Very cordial, got he looks and the family, very conservative and as we can tell isn’t afraid to buck the system. Does age really matter, if it does then Haley, Bauer, and Merrill may be questionable. And is South Carolina ready for a female Governor?
By Bob Bearden September 25, 2008 at 7:54 pm
“Run Nikki” sounds like Fits news.
By Some Voter September 25, 2008 at 7:55 pm
What is it you have against Jim DeMint — Oh Wise One?
By Ed Mc September 25, 2008 at 8:13 pm
How come Nikki never requested roll call votes as the House rules allow? Oh and Ballentine is so irrelevant I forgot he was in the House. BTW all contested issues require a roll call and any uncontested issue can be made a contested one in a heartbeat for the specific purpose of a rool call vote. Where have you been Nikki?
By Clay Pit Crew September 25, 2008 at 8:17 pm
We’re a little miffed, since we weren’t consulted in the polling. However, since we reside in the 3rd CD and keep tabs on Gresh in Aiken, we are inclined to weigh in on this one. Gresh has his friends in Aiken and has done a lot of posturing for the Savannah River Site, but he’s no shoe-in here. Of the other potential candidates, the only one with positive name ID is Henry McMaster. We’ve got a feeling that Henry Mac will do quite well in Aiken, which will disappoint many Barrett supporters, but – face it – Henry Mac has done more for the voters in Aiken as AG than Gresh has in Congress. Who came to our rescue when gas prices spiked? Henry. Keep an eye on the Gub race in 2010. It should be interesting.
By Run Nikki! September 26, 2008 at 6:43 am
Ha! Will – no matter how many different handles I post by I always seem to end up with someone suggesting I’m actually you. Next time you need a lil’ vacation give me a call. Though I’m not Sic Willie I AM shockingly handsome, endlessly witty and fond of Lindsay Lohan photos…
By Cormorant September 26, 2008 at 7:38 am
Andre promised he wouldn’t run; without that promise, he doesn’t beat Mike Campbell in ’06. If the general election was James Smith versus Andre, you would have a patriotic Afghanistan veteran who generally shoots straight on one side and a proven liar (if indeed he broke his promise and ran) on the other. A lot of Republicans would quite understandably choose the candidate they respect over the candidate they may agree more with. That is a recipe for a Democratic win in South Carolina.
Someone needs to talk some sense into Andre.
Two of the better possibilities for governor are Gresham Barrett and Rex Rice; honorable men who haven’t sold their soul to Columbia.
By Marty Bishop September 26, 2008 at 9:06 am
I’m votin’ for Howie Rich. I mean, if you can’t beat ‘em, might as well join ‘em.
By Pound for Pound September 26, 2008 at 11:26 am
Haskins should run, she has the best assets in the house.
By Rob W. September 26, 2008 at 11:35 am
Don’t underestimate Andre. He has a weird way of winning after he’s stacked the odds against himself.
By Please on Nikki September 26, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Ok, I would LOVE to see Nikki run statewide and give up her house seat and be out on her ass or in a position such as Lt. Gov that does nothing. She is, as anyone on the inside knows, only about Nikki. No loyalties, and instead of “standing strong” has gone back on her word almost as much as she makes promises. She LOVES to see her name in the press, which is why she is so passionate about this roll call voting issue and why anytime someone else has tried to jump on board (ie Senator Peeler wanting to write an op ed in favor of roll call voting, was told by Miss Haley that his help was not wanted.) She is a user (like her good friend Sanford) and even worse a climber. Pathetic.
By purpleminded1 September 26, 2008 at 6:02 pm
You are soooooo correct, “Please on Nikki.”
By How 'bout them apples September 26, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Breaking News: SCHotline has learned that Lt. Governor Andre Bauer will join Gov. Sanford in calling for and supporting Rep. Haley’s version of the “on the record voting†The bill named 2009 Spending Accountability Act. Bauer: “This is a no-brainer; this is why I got into politics to promote transparency and accountabilityâ€.
By Lowcountry Proud September 30, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Tom Davis is the darkhorse to watch out for. He owns the Jasper port deal and is the logical successor to Sanford.
By Christopher November 11, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Barrett. The most conservative member of the US House is perfect for what should be the most conservative state in the Union.