Anton Gunn Needs To Check Himself
Given his close proximity to “The One,” S.C. Rep. Anton Gunn pretty much gets his undercarriage kissed by everybody in Palmetto politics these days.
Evidently, people think that just because he “bet on black” early in the Democratic presidential primary last year, he automatically qualifies as some rising star in the party.
Well Anton, welcome to FITS.
We roll a little bit differently ’round here, as you’re about to find out.
As a matter of fact, we noticed that Rep. Gunn decided to give his cheering section over at La Socialista (a.k.a. The State newspaper) a quote for their story this morning on “partisanship at the S.C. State House.”
From the article, here’s what Anton had to say about the “partisanship” of House Republicans:
“It’s clear that everything is (their) way or the highway. If nobody’s listening to you, what’s the point? It’s always so heavy-handed.”
Uhh … really, Anton?
You want a mulligan on that one?
Because that means you must feel the same way about how President Yo-bama has shoved his socialist nightmare down the throat of the minority party up in Washington, D.C.
Funny how on one hand it’s “change we need,” but on the other it’s “heavy-handed.”
Of course Gunn shouldn’t fret too much, because if the “Republican leadership” is indeed riding roughshod over Democrats in the S.C. House, there’s a good chance that big government’s best interests are still being protected – if not enhanced.
Here’s the thing …
In Washington and Columbia, the party in control does what it wants with our money – which is invariably to spend it unsustainably while forcing us to pick up an ever-escalating tab.
It’s not a Republican thing, Democratic thing, white thing or black thing.
It’s a “power” thing.
And as Denzel said in Glory, “we all covered up in it, too, ain’t nobody clean.”
Of course it would “be nice to get clean, though.”
Just as it would be nice if Anton Gunn checked himself before popping off at the mouth.
Comments
By JAS on March 6th, 2009 at 3:41 am
I’m a Republican, but Anton Gunn is a great guy. Cut some slack, he really does want to work with us GOPpers…whether we can agree on much, thats another thing, but he’s a good guy with some good ideas…I’m glad to call him friend.
By Wes Wolfe on March 6th, 2009 at 5:02 am
Really, dude. Anton Gunn is one of the best guys in the General Assembly. We all know you like to talk shit for shit talking’s sake, but maybe you should check yourself on this one, Bubba.
By Dave T. on March 6th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Anton is a great guy, and an excellent consensus builder. Give him a little time before you judge him. He doesn’t use his Obama connections as you suggest.
By Tim on March 6th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Relax, guys, when Will goes off on someone you know they’re effectively thwarting Howie’s Raiders and the SCOURGE crowd. In other words, if it pisses SIC off, you know you’re justified in supporting someone like Anton.
By Red Bank Bar on March 6th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Intellectually and morally bankrupt. folks just can’t help it.
By Mattheus Mei on March 6th, 2009 at 8:16 am
sounds like some one may be a bit jealous of ‘the Gunn,’ and his increasing influence.
By AdamPiper on March 6th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Will –
While Anton and folks like us disagree on a vast majority of the issues, Anton is the type of Democrat, unlike “TheOne”, with whom you can agree to disagree and find common ground ala the days of Tip O’Neil and Ronald Reagan.
-Adam
By BroganGubmant on March 6th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Folks perhaps you should just watch how things are being handled by Republican leadership on the house floor everyday. Gunn and other moderate Dems are putting up extremely important legislation that is being flat out ignored and shot down by the GOP for partisan reasons only. It’s a dictatorship in the house right now. Greg Dellaney sent out flyers during last weeks debate on the 24 hour waiting period and the voter ID bill saying to his fellow GOP’ers “VOTE NO ON ALL DEMOCRATIC AMENDMENTS”. Is this what anyone wants in our state government? And also, don’t blame Anton Gunn for what the Democratic controlled Congress is doing. He is in state government. And if Republicans would consider working together this session, we might actually be able to get meaningful, bipartisan legislation passed. Not just wedge issues like abortion, union busting, and voter id laws.
By fitsnews on March 6th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Cripes Almighty. You people and Anton Gunn need to get a room.
We never said he wasn’t a “great guy.” In fact we’re sure he’s a prince.
And in the event he ever gets published saying something that’s not so retarded, we’ll be happy to suck up to him the way all of you are tripping over each other to do.
-FITS
By fitsnews on March 6th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Oh, and one more thing. You will not find ANYONE ANYWHERE who has been more critical of Bobby Harrell and his big government RINO sycophants that us.
-FITS
P.S. – Delleney sent that out? Hmmmm … if he only knew …
By Mattheus Mei on March 6th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Your readers are speaking, you’re attacking the wrong guy for the wrong reasons.
By baker on March 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
But, Will….doesn’t Bobby Harrell have “power”?
It’s funny to see your criticism of Anton Gunn’s griping — in your big bad “we roll differently ’round here, as you’re about to find out” talk — considering how much whining goes on about so-called RINOs, so-called “educrats,” etc, and considering how defenders of Mark Sanford whine that his failure to lead is the legislature’s fault, and so on.
Point is: We all know this is politics, and that power wins. So, sure, maybe Gunn has to mature a little bit and realize that he’s not going to get his way all the time, not in a GOP-dominated state government. But if calling out Republican leaders for heavy-handedness is one way he thinks he can put a dent in the Columbia status quo or shake up the partisan scene a little, then I’d say that’s just fine…..it certainly isn’t any goofier than taking a bunch of pooping pigs into the statehouse.
By Laurin on March 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
And how is what Anton said “retarded”? You certainly didn’t make the case that it was. Your analogy is incongruous.
If SC House : US House –>
Then “heavy-handed” majority leadership of the SC House Republicans : “heavy-handed” majority leadership in the US House.
By fitsnews on March 6th, 2009 at 10:13 am
From December 20, 2006:
http://www.fitsnews.com/2006/12/20/barack-obama-is-walking-on-water/
Did we pass a similar law about Anton Gunn and nobody told us?
By newzjunkie on March 6th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I guess “fits” just wants Rep. Gunn to fail as well! Regardless of who is supported nationally, it’s what he’s doing for this state is what matters.
The Leadership in both the House and the Senate could learn a thing or two Rep. Gunn.
By baker on March 6th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Will — I don’t think is arguing that you can’t criticize Anton Gunn. At least I’m not (I don’t really know much about the guy….). The logic of your complaint, however, is an issue.
By Jim on March 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Will, these folks are crazy. This is one of the big problems here in SC. Everyone is a great guy- so you can’t point out when they are wrong. Sam is great, so let’s give him that festival money for his district. Charlie is a good person- so let that community center some more money. . . The problem at the state house is that there is no partisan divide. Everyone is “such a good guy” that people dont speak out when they are wrong. Glad we have you and a few others.
By Laurin on March 6th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Jim, where exactly was Anton “wrong” in the post above?
By Michael on March 6th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Dang, Will, you really riled these Anton Gunn fluffers.
By Brian on March 6th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Will, you have officially gone off the deep end. I started reading your blog a few months ago on the advice of some friends leading up to the election. I find some of your posts funny but most of what you write to be insulting and immature. Grow up and get an idea once in a while. Anton Gunn might be one of the best new freshman we have had in Columbia in years (Republican or Democrat) and I am not going to let you try to take a good man down from your lofty unregulated perch at the top of South Carolina’s blogs. I realize you feel untouchable in your current position but while the internet and blogs can offer someone like yourself a formidable platform to spew it is also one of the greatlest humblers of men in modern time. Your own people will bring you down, not the lawyers or the RINOS you like to discuss so much. Your tone has turned to negative and it is a turn off to your readers. Consider yourself warned.
By John Galt on March 6th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
The phrase “close proximity” is redundant. http://languagerules.wordpress.com/2006/09/16/close-proximity-isnt-close-to-correct/
By $D’Brickashaw on March 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Gunn is an avowed supporter of Obama. Obama has paid lip service to the spirit of “bipartisanship” while forcing his bailout plans (they’re working great, by the way) down the throats of Republicans. Now Gunn is complaining about the lack of bipartisanship in the SC House.
If you don’t follow the logic of the irony here, maybe it explains why Gunn’s “retarded” comments have such an ardent fan-base.
At the end of the day, I don’t think Will was trying to crucify Gunn, just giving him a little jab. Lighten up, Francis.
By $D’Brickashaw on March 6th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Dear Will,
I am a psycho stalker and I’m going to turn your skin into a wonderful new body suit. Please put this lotion on.
Sincerely,
Brian (March 6 at 11:21 am)
By the right side on March 6th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
If Anton is so great then how come no fabulous appointment has been given to him by the ONE? Maybe his image is a bit inflated.
By P.W. on March 7th, 2009 at 12:32 am
By the right side,
Anton has made it abundantly clear he rather stay down here and work in the bass-ackwards legislature than go to Washington, DC. I don’t understand why he would want to stay here and deal with these goons. But I have heard it on high regard he could damn near get any appointment he wants.
I guess you can’t fault a guy for having good will and charity in his heart for our state.
Kudos to him for not catching Beltway Fever!
By Hmmm... on March 7th, 2009 at 12:48 am
for the right side – like you’re the first person to ask this question – Obama did offer Gunn a job and he turned it down so that he could work on improving South Carolina – why don’t you ask him yourself instead of a universe of bloggers you don’t know – go to the statehouse website, look up his number, and verify the information – since you trust the blog so much maybe Sic Willie can do the thinking for you and ask the Gunn
By Otis Bowen on September 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Anton Gunn makes the mildest of criticisms of SC Republicans and gets this thrashing?? Really?? Seems like you just needed a hook to bash Obama. Pretty weak.
Moreover, from my perspective SC’s current problems are not related to big guvment, just the contrary these conservative fools have sold the people on the notion that their taxes are too high–the old Reaganite formulation that “government is the problem.” It was an effective electoral strategy to be sure, but it has left us just a peg above a developing nation.