We can definitely think of much stronger words than “cowardly” to describe the way that S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell chose to make an example of conservative Rep. Nikki Haley last week.
Of course, coming from Gov. Mark Sanford – who is always reticent to engage on personal issues – “cowardly” a pretty strong rebuke.
What’s even stronger is Sanford referring to Harrell’s management style as the “Soviet Model,” which we’d like to point out also extends to his governing philosophy.
Anyway, from the AP:
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Tuesday House Speaker Bobby Harrell made a cowardly move in how he reassigned a roll call voting reformer from a key committee last week and questioned whether punishments reflect a “Soviet model.”
“It was done in a way intended to not only reprimand but also to publicly humiliate,” Sanford said in a telephone interview. Meanwhile, sending a lawyer to exercise the reassignments instead of doing it in person was the wrong approach, Sanford said.
“It was just in that regard cowardly,” he said.
Harrell, R-Charleston, said last week he was not punishing state Rep. Nikki Haley, R-Lexington. His spokesman said Tuesday Harrell would not respond to Sanford’s criticism and would let his comments from last week stand.
Hmmm … looks like Harrell may have bitten off a bit more vindictiveness than he could chew.
Yet for those of you who think this debate is all about personalities, consider this …
The guy Harrell hand-picked to lead the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, Rep. Bill Sandifer, has an “F” rating from the S.C. Club for Growth for his votes to protect the taxpayers of this state. Haley has an “A+” rating.
And not surprisingly, yesterday Sandifer appointed two Democrats to serve as his subcommittee chairmen along with Rep. Joan Brady, who might as well be a Democrat.
That’s four of the most powerful fiscal positions in state government that are now in the hands of people who could care less about protecting your bottom line – all thanks to Bobby Harrell.
By Gen. Longstreet December 10, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Col. Harrell, I haven’t seen such a god-awful mess since Jeb Stuart went on that joy-ride in the hills of northern Maryland. So far it’s just been skirmishers, but damn if they haven’t done you damage, son.
Soon, very soon, the hard news and editorial artillery will be relentless and you’ll end up stepping down. Can you hear it, son?
Ms. Landess, I tip my cap to you ma’am. You’ve laid low that sorry sack of dung Colonel of mine with the power of your written word. Of course, you have Right on your side, which never hurts.
By Richard December 11, 2008 at 10:18 am
And let’s just add that it was Harrell and Bingham that stron armed some Republicans to vote against Ballentine for the Ethics Committee…ensuring that a Democrat would take his place. This is Republican Leadership? Oh and it was the two of them that are also pushing for the Speakers ability to appoint committee chairs “because too many posts are being given to Democrats.” Again, it is crooked politics by crooked people. Their incompentant reign needs to end.