Dem Watch: Smith Out, Sheheen In
For now, State Sen. Vincent Sheheen is the new Democratic frontrunner in the 2010 gubernatorial race, as former House Minority Leader James Smith told reporters yesterday that he would not seek the Governor’s Mansion or any other statewide office next year.
Smith’s announcement shocked political observers on both sides of the aisle, as most viewed the young, energetic Army Captain as the de facto Democratic nominee.
We spoke with Smith yesterday evening, and he told us that his recent eighteen month tour of duty in Afghanistan weighed heavily on his decision.
“I think I’ve made enough withdrawals from the family bank,†Smith said, referring to the time he spent away from his family during his military deployment. “Right now this is where I need to be.â€
All signs were pointing to a Smith candidacy, and his decision not to run (and endorse Sheheen’s bid) will no doubt send ripples through the Democratic ranks much like Bobby Harrell’s and David Wilkins’ decisions not to run shook up the GOP field.
The immediate frontrunner pressure – for now, anyway – falls to Sheheen, who up to now has failed to impress when giving the opportunity.
For example, he flat out tanked in delivering the Democratic rebuttal to Gov. Mark Sanford’s State of the State address earlier this year.
State Sen. Robert Ford has also announced his candidacy for governor.
Trust us, people, Republicans are breathing a sigh of relief right now …
Comments
By lou on February 7th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I’m voting for anyone NOT REPUBLICAN
By Todd on February 7th, 2009 at 10:39 am
A public speaking class or two and Vincent Sheheen will do very well. You’ve got that Buckley Institute thing right there in Camden. Get to the class, Vincent. Learn to speak like you mean it and you will do well!
By the right side on February 7th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Everybody ooohhhs and aaahhhhsss about Sheheen, Smith, and Laurie. Why, cause they are nice looking young guys with families that appear not like the rest of their party, but like many Republicans. Simply put, they stand out as Dems. BUT, look at their voting patterns and they are true LIBS. Sheheen for example, has some strange ideas about taxation and opposes property rights. he has opposed efforts to curb regulatory takings of land. He is a true Dem believer and people in SC will see that in time.
By Common Man on February 7th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Apparently no one who has commented on this article has ever met Vincent Sheheen. I’ve read the different articles on this site and agree that the speech was not a fantastic speech, but instead a plain spoken response to the failures of the last six years. Vincent Sheheen is NO “bleeding heart liberal” but instead is a politician who votes and serves with common sense. SC is plagued now with “ideological politicians” who in theory believe they are developing the best policies since “sliced bread”, but when the “rubber meets the road” these policies fail miserably. Senator Sheheen has been in the forefront of several issues that are in the forefront of the interest of SC. From property tax reform and education reform improvement, to governmental organization reform and economic development in SC, Senator Sheheen has fought for all South Carolinians. Our state has come to a crossroads where we are on the brink of doing something great or failing miserably. Our state needs a person who can “cross the aisle” and actually represent the people of SC instead of threatening to allow them to starve and not receive the services that their tax dollars pay for to try to make himself into an attractive national candidate. The true measure of a politician is not the promises that he makes but the performance of those promises. SC needs a man of action, and Vincent Sheheen is that man.
By no more bull.... on February 7th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Common Man go barf. He wants to preserve status quo of laws made for trial lawyers and trapping kids in failing schools. There are no measures proposed by him that move us forward. He is a rank and file Dem who will have to appease those wacky Dem factions to win the primary. You will see how much of a left winger he truly is. He was aback bencher in the House as well as the Senate.
By come on, common on February 7th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Hey Common “Man”. Methinks thou art a woman! Educrat no less. Ole Vince is really “racking up” your support! You’re extremely revealing. And you’re a strange ideological blend to boot(y)!
By Joe Blow on February 8th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Come on Willie, ok, so Sheheen phoned in his response to the State of the State; afterall who could take Sanford’s preposterous completely out-of-touch speech seriously? Why isn’t anyone giving Sanford hell for $5.5 million missing from one of his cabinet agencies (DSS), and a director at PRT who literally is phoning it in?
By Common Man on February 8th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
“No More Bull” and “Come on, common on” thank you so much for your enlightening responses from “Fantasy Land” where you all seem to reside. I suppose from your comments that you would probably also tell me that Mark Sanford is the finest governor this state has ever had or that the past six years have brought sweeping changes to SC that are going to carry the state into the future or has really improved the lives of South Carolinians. (I Think Not.) Since ya’ll are so down on Sen. Sheheen, maybe ya’ll two should trade in your coveted “Monday morning quarterback” positions and throw your hats into the Governor’s race and bring some more of your “Fantasy Land” thinking to Columbia. “Joe Blow” is right instead of threatening to allow thousands of fine South Carolinians to not receive the unemployment benefits to run out, maybe we should be working to attempt to put these people to work.
To go with the comments about me, I don’t believe two people that have nothing better to do on a Saturday night than publish there “Fantasy Land” ideas, may be should spend some time on “E-Harmony” and find something else to occupy your time, before attempting to judge another. Also “Come on, common on” maybe you should attempt to become an “Educrat” before typing “Me Think.”
By come on, common on February 9th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hey Common Woman. Methinks I’ve obviously struck a raw nerve. You took my comment as criticism??? I’m a common woman myself. (Hey, my husband doesn’t want me surfing on internet love sites as you’ve advised me to do. I guess you’ve tried E-Harmony yourself?) Have you ALWAYS BEEN so frustrated? Short fused? Thin skinned? Vindictive? Unfulfilled? You’re looking for love in all the wrong places, baby. Politics won’t cut it. Wish you had a great husband like mine. (I’ll bet lots of money you’re single. You’d be a monster to live with.) Get a life, Common Woman!