Divide and conquer (or bribe) is the strategy being employed by House Speaker Bobby Harrell for the upcoming legislative session, which has already erupted into contention, backstabbing and Republican infighting two months before it even begins.
Desperate to assert his authority after watching it evaporate during a bitter, caustic and entirely unproductive 2008 session (well, unless you count pandering on the immigration issue as an accomplishment), Harrell’s bold move yesterday to strike down a Republican he fears is the first visible expression of a larger plan.
But sources tell FITS that going after conservative GOP star Nikki Haley is just the beginning of an “Emperor Strikes Back” approach to the coming year.
In fact, between siphoning money from South Carolina entrepreneurs to help fund his big government vision of economic development, Bobby has apparently been busy as bee during the last few months trying to solidify a hold on power that may be more tenuous than some think.
Specifically, Harrell is looking to divide a growing nucleus of fiscally conservative lawmakers by reaching out to incoming freshman legislators, the vast majority of whom are ideologically to the right of Harrell (where there’s obviously plenty of real estate to be found).
Bobby’s gone out of his way to try and convince incoming freshman Reps-to-be from the Upstate in particular – people like Rita Allison, Derham Cole, Mike Forrester, Joey Millwood, Wendy Nanney, Steve Parker and Tommy Stringer.
“He’s been working it real hard, intentionally targeting conservatives from Greenville and Spartanburg,” one source told FITS. “He’s been telling them they have to be team players if they want to have any power, trying to line up people coming in from the open seats.”
Apparently, Harrell’s efforts have been meeting with some significant successes.
“I don’t know how, but he’s got a lot of them lined up,” our source said. “What they don’t know is he’ll do what he always does – start off making friends with them but then cut their paws off the second they get out of line.”
Which is precisely what Harrell did yesterday to Haley, and what he’s planning on doing to State Rep. Nathan Ballentine and several other conservative Republicans that he feels have “crossed him” over the past few months.
You know, because insisting on things like less spending and government transparency is “crossing Bobby.”
Anyway, Harrell got the support of incoming Majority Leader Kenny Bingham, outgoing Majority Leader Jimmy Merrill and two borderline conservative members to support awarding him exclusive control over selecting committee chairmen.
Ostensibly, these members agreed to the plan because “the Democrats” (like there’s a difference between the two parties in Columbia) were demanding various subcommittee chairmanships.
Never mind that the last time we checked, subcommittee chairmanships could still be overruled by committee chairmanships.
And never mind that a 71-53 “GOP majority” (such as it is) should be able to tell the Democratic minority to sit down and shut up anytime it wants.
And never mind the fact that two of the “borderline conservatives” who went along with Harrell’s power grab were promptly rewarded with committee chairmanships they covet.
In spite of this preponderance of “obviousness,” no fewer than five State Representatives called us yesterday using earnest tones to paint the doom and gloom scenarios of how “Democrats” were threatening to gum up the works in Columbia if Harrell didn’t “take action.”
Again, we’ve got something to say to those five legislators … feel free to play “born yesterday” with your friends in the mainstream media, but please don’t bring that crap around us.
We’re particularly disappointed in Merrill, who had spent the better part of this summer trying to convince us that he was ready to stand up to the Speaker on fiscal issues as soon as his Majority Leader duties were completed.
And we’re also disappointed in Bingham, who like Rep. Ted Pitts stabbed his delegation member in the back trying to curry favor with Big Bad Bobby.
Of course, at the end of the day, none of this is about “back-stabbing,” or personalities or any of the petty infighting that is so common in Columbia under Harrell’s “leadership.”
It’s about what’s best for the state – and how Harrell never does anything toward that end.
It’s about how Bobby’s action (which one delusional Representative tried to convince us “wasn’t even the Speaker’s idea”) took a conservative, pro-business leader out of a key economic development position – inserting a drunk, racist RINO who will do his big government bidding instead.
Harrell is certainly an endearing, personable guy … and the warm fuzzies he’s spreading around like campfire s’mores to incoming lawmakers are no doubt causing many of them to believe the lies he’s feeding them.
But one may smile (and smile) and be a villain.
And before long, the light bulb will go off.
They’ll end up getting passed over a few times for committee assignments he promised them, or told to wait a bit longer for the leadership position he said they could have … each time being told that it’s “what’s best for the team.”
And God forbid they speak out against him on anything, because his thin skin doesn’t brook dissent.
Retaliation from Harrell is always as swift as it is disproportionate – like the vicious smears he’s gotten his henchman Mr. Merrill to spread in an effort to attack the credibility of anyone who dares to stand up to him.
At some point, these idiots will realize that the only team Bobby Harrell is playing for is his own team … and that in appeasing his interests, they’re the ones getting played.
And at some point, hopefully enough Republicans will figure out they elected a liberal Democrat as their Speaker, and realize that it’s time they did something about it before the whole ship goes down.
By lisa November 7, 2008 at 7:00 am
The Republican ship is being sunk. I added as many pounds as I could.
By hmmmm November 7, 2008 at 8:19 am
The transparency bill is crap and anyone that follows politics or knows basic rules of order knows that. It only takes 10 people in the house to get a roll call vote on anything. If you can’t get 9 of your buddies to back you on a roll call, you shouldn’t freaking get one, because apparently it doesn’t deserve one. This is nothing more than pandering to an incompetent and/or unknowing public, something that these “new” conservatives are good at.
By nope November 7, 2008 at 8:41 am
That is one seriously ugly insect.
By Fashizzle November 7, 2008 at 9:28 am
Hmmmmm — The reality is all Southeastern states except SC require a recorded vote to pass a bill. What you call crap the rest of the country calls accountable government. All votes are important to someone and the public has the right to them all. The hostility you show toward the “incompetent” and “unknowing” public is largely because of people like you doing all you can to keep them in the dark. Every other state records its votes. Legislators should use the incompetent label for themselves if we can’t do the same here.
By Draven November 7, 2008 at 10:14 am
Actually, hmmmm, to get a roll call vote you have to be recognized by the speaker. And sometimes the speaker’s eyesight and hearing aren’t that good.
By Fire Sale November 7, 2008 at 10:50 am
Everyone knows you have to talk up Rep. Haley like she’s the second coming because that’s what you’re paid to do. But from what we hear this is really about an effort to prevent Democrat influence in the committees, and Rep. Haley’s eagerness to turn her back on her own party was the center of the argument. According to one lawmaker, after coming to grips that she had maybe only one Republican commitment for Chairman, Rep. Haley started to “sell the farm to the Democrats, offering sub-committee chairmanships like cattle.â€
Come on Sic Willie, desperation is a stinky cologne.
By angelina November 7, 2008 at 11:09 am
It only takes 10 members to get a recorded vote? Oh, well if THAT’s all…..then why in the world is the public even bothering, when we can just trust 10 people to do the right thing every single time and we’ll just all go back to minding our own little business. Because surely 10 politicians will always be willing to stand up and demand public voting and the speaker will certainly go out of his way to make sure they get heard, right? Yeah. Like they did when they passed themselves a retirement increase on a voice vote. Please,”hmmmm”. The only transparent thing at the statehouse is the self-serving motives of overpaid staffers like you.
By Cockfighter November 7, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Bobby Harrell’s ego…$4,500,000
Finger puppets of Jimmy Merrill and Kenny Bingham…$5,500,000
Dictatorship = USELESS
GO COCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
By C'mon People November 7, 2008 at 3:46 pm
it’s sorta like hmmm said…getting 10 votes on anything shouldn’t be that hard..especially since the transparency caucus easily should stick together. Seriously folks…10 out of 124 votes for a role call, if your clout is that little, then why are you even there? and for the person pointed out the Speaker may not see you…all you have to do is yell it out…come over to the statehouse one day and actually witness this, you know how government really works. And everyone knows about the Haley/Folks affir so that’s why the strong defense.
By Ghost of Speaker Wilkins November 7, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Speaker Harrell is a wishy washy republican (at best) and exactly the reason why good, conservative Republicans will continue to have to fight for the true Republican beliefs in this State and our Nation. So of course he would love like-minded wishy washys as Chairs on committees to continue to push thru his tax and spend big government projects.
It is time that others take notice to what the Common Sense Caucus and stand for. What Republicans believe in… “I will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master, save my God.â€
How quick to forget some of our “republican†law makers are when they stand to gain some power at the State House.
Thomas Paine in 1776 wrote “Tyranny like hell, is not easily conquered…and what we obtain too cheap, we esteem to lightly.”
By Quotes Galore November 7, 2008 at 6:59 pm
“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”
-Thomas Paine, “American Crisis” No. 1, December 19, 1776.
By Jimmy Byrnes November 7, 2008 at 10:03 pm
The most positive attribute of increased roll-call voting is the slowing down and blocking of a lot of crappy legislation. I agree with CP—get nine people and raise your damn voice– otherwise SHUT UP!!!
By Been there Seen that November 7, 2008 at 10:09 pm
So is Harrell with his Columbia girlfriend or Charleston wife?
By Draven November 7, 2008 at 10:17 pm
C’mon people,
You mean yell it out like some reps did when they voted themselves a pay raise? That’s what led to the whole roll-call voting bill. People were jumping up and down and for some reason the speaker didn’t see them, hear them or feel the ground shake.
By Stephen November 7, 2008 at 11:04 pm
It doesn’t take that long to push a red or green button….unless you have something to hide. Even a Caveman can do it! You guys are real geniuses.
By Diz November 8, 2008 at 12:40 am
I guess it’s ok for Bobby to use that approach to become Speaker. That might be why he’s accusing someone else of doing what he did.
This sort of projection is a sure sign of mental illness. He already acts like a spoiled brat, but since his two brothers have done so well, but his dad had to hook him up with a State Farm franchise, it’s no surprise that Bobby has the “small wee-wee paranoia” thing.
Based upon this, I would be surprised he would have a girlfriend in Columbia. He wouldn’t have much to offer her.
By angelina November 8, 2008 at 12:56 am
“C’mon People” and Jimmy: everyone knows you are either a legislator, working for the legislature or slobbering in the lobby. Real people are not buying your crap. Who cares that 10 people could theoretically — if they are so inclined, and if the Speaker won’t punish them for doing it — ask that their colleagues record their votes so taxpayers can hold them accountable? The point is this….now, pay attention….it should NOT BE UP TO THEM! Do you really argue that it should? Seriously? I cannot believe the best you have is “if your clout is so little why are you there?” “C’mon people” must be a senior legislative toady with that clever line. Here’s the answer: every one of them is there to represent the people who elected them. Their “clout” comes from those who elect them and whose lives they affect with every single vote. So regardless of whether a legislator has enough friends on a given issue to get a recorded vote, the people back home deserve it. On everything except those stupid congratulations resolutions, which they should not be wasting their — I mean, OUR — time with. We pay the bills, folks. Including the salaries of the idiots who are spending our time and money fighting accountability.
By Upstate Democrat November 8, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Well, Bobby’s got to have Derham Cole Junior in the bag. Harrell’s 527 group sent out a hit job on Junior’s opponent the week before the election. Junior has no world view or governing philosophy of his own — his entire campaign was based on regurgitating talking points supplied to him by folks like Harrell and other party “leaders.” He will do exactly what is asked of him as he spends his time in Columbia doing just what his daddy did before him — kissing the ring in order to parlay it into a career for himself.
He’s bought and paid for, and he’ll do whatever he’s told to do.