In one of the most vindictive political moves we’ve seen in quite some time, S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell removed a member of his own party from a key House committee in retaliation for that lawmaker’s outspoken support of a government transparency proposal and other common sense conservative reforms.
State Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington), was booted from the House Ethics Committee by a vote of the full House, but only after Harrell rigged the slate of candidates and threatened Democrats if they did not back his power play.
At the start of yesterday’s organizational session of the S.C. House, six candidates had announced their intention to run for the Ethics Committee’s six positions, but Harrell personally persuaded State Rep. Bill Sandifer to run for the committee again, even though he intends to resign from it later today (enabling Harrell to appoint his successor).
See how it works?
With Sandifer agreeing, seven candidates were now on the ballot for the committee’s six spots, meaning the one who received the fewest votes would be left out in the cold.
That’s when Bobby’s “Pretty Hate Machine” kicked into high gear.
First, two of Harrell’s most trusted “fluffers,” outgoing Majority Leader Jimmy Merrill and hard-drinking Rep. Annette Young, went on the warpath with GOP lawmakers, urging them to refrain from voting for Ballentine.
Meanwhile, Harrell went to Minority Leader Harry Ott and informed him that if Ballentine received too many Democratic votes, he would personally see to it that Laurie Slade Funderburk (D – Kershaw) was kept off of the committee, leaving the Democrats without representation.
We’re not sure if that sort of vote-trading is legal, but not surprisingly, it worked like a charm.
Ballentine received just 46 votes, falling 38 votes shy of his closest colleague in the lopsided tally.
Several lawmakers also specifically observed Speaker Harrell shooting Ballentine a smug grin as the votes were cast, smiling and looking up at the voting board as if to savor the moment.
“They clearly shut him out of the Ethics Committee for his independence,” said Rep. James Smith, who joined a few brave Democrats like Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Doug Jennings in voting for Ballentine despite the Speaker’s threats.
Far too many members of both parties caved, though.
Stay tuned for more on this, too, as what happened to Ballentine appears to be the opening shot in a much broader strategic plan that Harrell and his lieutenants will be implementing during the course of the coming legislative session.
By Cockfighter December 3, 2008 at 6:41 am
These people, except for a few, have no backbones. What a bunch of COWARDS! There is simply no other way to say it. Now that I think about it, wasn’t it Harrell who wanted more power to appoint to keep the Dems from getting more control. So he then sets up a Republican, to give that control to a Dem. Can he be any more contradictory and ass backwards. What Rhino Republicans let this happen?
By Carl December 3, 2008 at 7:20 am
What kind of Majority Leader lets this happen Mr. Kenny Bingham? Seems to me you work only for Mr. Harrell and not the Republican Caucus.
By philip branton December 3, 2008 at 8:23 am
Where was Jake “the SNAKE” snotty boy KNOTTS in support of his fellow Lexington shoe shine boy…???
I wonder if he was twittering with BOB and Harvey PEELER….
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20081203/ARTICLES/812031035/1083?Title=Waste_Management_makes_pitch_for_landfill
By Jeff December 3, 2008 at 10:01 am
For the love of …dont pretend that any of this matters folks. Its all inside baseball, people don’t care. yawn. we need more debate on how cool the new clemson coach is!
By WMD December 3, 2008 at 11:24 am
Jeff you are so right which is why Will Folks is so irrelevent. Nathan Ballentine messed with the bull and got the horns. He got on an airplane with Sanford and participated in an aerial assault on the House. He got what he deserved, and Nikki’s is coming today when LCI appointments are made. :)
By SumterStreetBoyz December 3, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Bobby’s day is coming. Someone out there is saving this up for a primary challenge in 18 months.
It’s just a shame the House Leadership is leading the Republican Party down the same path as the US Congress and Senate … enrich themselves, consolidate power, and burn the place down.
It’s a new day people. Party lines are blurred. Ballentine ran on “People not Politics” and defeated Rick Quinn (or is it WMD).
The people of SC have had enough. It’s just a shame so many Republicans and Dems fell in line with a mentally weak, petty, immature, and obviously scared RINO Speaker.
By Jennifer December 3, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I don’t even think it is about waiting for 18 months. Bobby Harrell has discredited himself with everyone except Harry Cato, Jimmy Merrill, Kenny Bingham, Bill Sandifer, Bill Herbkersman, and Annette Young. They may have had their day today, but this is going to be an extremely long session for Bobby and Kenny.
By Rick December 3, 2008 at 10:07 pm
We can only hope
By Bill December 4, 2008 at 7:15 am
I like Nate. I like Bobby.
They should hug and make up. They will get more done that way.
By Veni Vidi Vici December 4, 2008 at 3:02 pm
What threatens peoples rivals more, power or popularity? Popularity, it is the true source of power.