McCall’s Future Could Be Now
In the seemingly interminable shuffle of RINO politicians from one office to the next in South Carolina, it literally amazes us to report that there are actually two rock star fiscal conservatives contemplating a bid for the Fifth Congressional District.
After twenty-five years, this seat running along the North Carolina border is soon to be vacated by Rep. John Spratt – who is reported to be taking over the Office of Budget and Management for President-elect Barack Obama.
And while Democratic State Sen. Vince Sheheen should easily win his party’s nomination in the special election to succeed Spratt, there’s no shortage of potential opponents on the other side of the aisle.
In fact, Republican names are popping up faster than you can say Orville Redenbacher as the GOP looks to capture this “swing” district for the first time since Reconstruction.
Former Gov. David Beasley and Lt. Gov. André Bauer are both mentioned as possible candidates, but the two strongest fiscal conservative choices would be either former State Rep. Ralph Norman or recently-elected national committeeman Glenn A. McCall.
And of those two, McCall is hands down the man for the job.
Norman ran for this seat two years ago and was crushed, running one of the worst campaigns in state history.
We have no doubt Norman would be a rock solid fiscal conservative in Congress, but his ineffectiveness as a campaigner and tendency to zero in exclusively on social issues hurts his chances to pick up swing voters – particularly in this district, and in the present electoral climate.
On the other hand, McCall is precisely the sort of candidate the Republicans need right now – which incidentally has nothing to do with the fact that he’s black (although Republicans certainly need more black leaders in their ranks as well).
McCall is perfect because unlike the vast majority of Republicans in this state, he’s got a backbone.
Not only does he possess Norman’s fiscal conservative credentials, he’s not afraid to call out other Republicans who don’t.
One McCall supporter we spoke with said it best – “he recognizes that for this party to thrive Republicans have to start following their core principles again – and reminding people when certain Republicans aren’t doing that.”
We have no word yet on whether or not McCall – currently a Bank of America V.P. – is considering the seat, but with Norman and Beasley definitely running, it would be nice to have a candidate in the mix who could actually win against Sheheen.
The fact that the pragmatic choice happens to be the best one?
That’s just butter on the popcorn.
Comments
By rick on November 17th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Probably not, effective isn’t what the people want…can he talk shit and still say nothing?
By RA on November 17th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Glen is a fantastic person. I hope he runs. David Beasley needs to just go away. He’s not a conservative. He looks and acts like a used car salesman. I would never vote or support David.
Glen would be an excellent Congressman.
By Scott on November 17th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Will:
I haven’t seen this:
“is soon to be vacated by Rep. John Spratt – who is taking over the Office of Budget and Management for President-elect Barack Obama.”
…in the news; have I just been out of the loop?
I have heard McCall’s name batted around as a candidate IF Spratt takes the job; but I seem to have missed the news that he took it.
By GQ on November 17th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Excuse me, How is Beasley not a conservative? When he was gov he pushed and got tax relief in all forms including real property, personal property, and groceries(which went back up under Hodges). The General assembly didn’i go on spending sprees under Beasley cause his vetoes were actually adhered to. So explain yourself that the Beas is not conservative. He really had an extensive agenda that got passed. now if you are going to throw all that out over the flag then you have your own problems.
By Trevor on November 17th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
David Beasley?
I always thought his first name was Ban.
By rickybobby on November 17th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
While your analysis of a potential race in pretty good, politicos all over the state are jumping the gun on Spratt being OMB Director
Just because Spratt is Chair of the Budget Committee and knows alot about the budget, does not assure him the post. The only thing Spratt has in common with Barack is the D beside their name. He is not close to Obama and never endorsed (in the SC primary) or campaigned for him.
OMB Director is arguably the most important and powerful post in the executive branch. Spratt is an elderly policy wonk who has never shown he has the CEO-like qualities needed to run the day to day operations of the OMB.
Look for Obama to tap someone who was heavily involved in his campaign to the post (ie Austin Goolsby, Tom Daschle) This post is too important for Barack to appoint an elderly policy wonk who has no real connection to the President Elect
By Once again... on November 17th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Talked to Spratt’s office last week. It doesn’t sound like he wants to go anywhere. And, even if he did, do you really think that South Carolina Republicans are going to nominate a black guy? All the Democrats have to do is run a warm body for this position if Norman, McCall and Beasley are who the Republicans are lining up.
Here’s a hint: Wes Hayes. He would make one hell of a Congressman. He even has the same demeanor as Spratt. Oh, and Vincent isn’t running for Congress, he’s running for Governor.
If this ever does happen, which I doubt it will, how about Hodges vs Beasley again? Or the Democrats could lock it up early if Rock Hill Mayor, Doug Echols, came out first.
By Freddie Guy on November 17th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
David Sleaze-ly was the low point of the Republican Party in the 90’s. Repubs would be loony to anoint him the next Congressman to represent the 5th.
“And while Democratic State Sen. Vince Sheheen should easily win his party’s nomination in the special election to succeed Spratt,” – Ole Will is high on this Sheheen fella! There are plenty of other Dems in the District that have a shot.
…should be interesting.
Fred
By Adam Fogle on November 17th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Will,
You said Spratt “is taking over” OMB. I’ve heard he’s an option but all of my sources have indicated the choice is still days or weeks away. Do you know something about this I don’t?
- A.F.
By Mike Reino on November 17th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Is it just me, or does being Governor and running for Senate , then running for Congress sound like working your way down the ladder? I just don’t see Beasley running..
By Pres on November 18th, 2008 at 1:24 am
I suspect Beasley would run. Although this is a federal swing district, it appears the GOP has the worst bench in this district of any (except Clyburn’s). Wes Hayes is the best option for Republicans but that is not the high-energy pick the GOP needs in this district and across the country.
The GOP needs to pick a conservative businessman (non office-holder). McCall may be the right choice but I don’t think he can win.
By JAMES on November 18th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
DON’T FORGET THIS IS STILL A DEM DISTRICT AND I WOULDN’T COUNT OUT THE PEE DEE DEMS EITHER. A GOOD CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT SUCH AS TED VICK OR DOUG JENNINGS COULD GIVE THE WESTERN END OF THE DISTRICT IN ROCK HILL SOME COMPETITION I THINK.
By Freddie Guy on November 19th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Ted Vick. Give me a break! He will be spending too much time on one of his government paid cross-country junkets to campaign for Congress. Picture the used car salesman, Baptist Pastor, and politician driving the 5th District in his new bright yellow Corvette convertible begging for support!
Ted Vick for Congress: The only South Carolinian who can sell you a lemon, save your soul and raise your taxes!
Doug Jennings. In all seriousness, he may be a contender. I hear he is interested.
Fred
By Freddie Guy on November 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Nevermind.
http://lostintransition.nationaljournal.com/2008/11/orszag-tapped-as-obamas-budget.php
Damn you, Obama. We still have a shot at deporting Clyburn (James, not Mignon)
Fred
By once again on November 20th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
This is to all you 18 year olds out there. somebody said Beasley was the low point of GOP in the 90’s. Lets see, he pushed through a billion in proerty tax relief, education accountability, the first slice off grocery tax and car taxes AND exceeded Campbells record of job creation and manufacturing expansion. Sanford can’t come close to any of that. Im sorry Beasley went wrong on the flag and I guess thats the most important thing for some of you nuckle draggers, but his record was great. Plus he lead the takeover of the House from the Dems.