Earlier this week, we got another flurry of cryptic, incoherent e-mails from SC Hotline editor Jeffrey Sewell.
And really, we ought to be paying this guy for the sheer entertainment value he provides us (and you) on a daily basis.
In one of his latest late-night missives, Sewell told us he was dying. In another, he said he was selling SC Hotline, but that we couldn’t tell anybody yet (hold the phone, NYSE).
Of course, it was the third e-mail that drew our attention.
It said absolutely nothing, but linked to an interview our founding editor Sic Willie did with New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani two years ago.
Seriously … that was it. Straight out of left field.
So we got to thinking, why on earth would Sewell send us a link to an interview that we did for his website back in 2007?
What possible relevance could it have to anything going on in S.C. politics today?
On the record, Sewell insists he was merely stressing the “reach of new media,” but we’ve heard differently about his true intentions from other sources close to the Hotline.
Specifically, we were told that Sewell was sending us a message – warning us not to raise the issue of Giuliani in the 2009 SCGOP Chairman’s race.
Again, we scratched our heads.
What, exactly does Rudy Giuliani have to do with who becomes the next Chairman of the S.C. Republican Party?
And why would the fact that we interviewed him two years ago (just as we also interviewed Huckabee and McCain) somehow taint us?
We’ll just come right out and admit it, people – we like Rudy.
Always have.
In fact, our founding editor was so complimentary of Hizzoner leading up to the GOP primary that he was frequently accused of being on the Giuliani payroll, just as he was also accused of being on the McCain and Huckabee payrolls at various points during the campaign.
Obviously we wrote plenty of stories Giuliani’s people didn’t like, too, but by and large we treated him pretty well.
In fact, if we were Republicans (which we’re not) and if we voted (which we don’t), we might have even voted for Rudy for the simple reason that he would have given “The One” a real run for his money.
But alas it was not to be, as Giuliani finished sixth in South Carolina with 2% of the vote despite working awfully hard to mollify far righters who were (are) suspicious of his positions on various social issues.
Incidentally, Hizzoner’s awful showing was yet another disappointing S.C. finish for Maryland-based political consultant Jon Lerner, who basically took the S.C. machine he had created for Karen Floyd’s Superintendent of Education campaign in 2006 (another completely inexplicable loss) and cross-pollinated it over to Team Rudy.
Lerner even made Floyd the figurehead of the Giuliani effort, a role for which her firm was compensated approximately $135,000.
Now here’s where it gets interesting.
Given his left-of-center positions on abortion, immigration, guns, gays and other social conservative issues (and his poor showing in the presidential primary), conventional wisdom is that proximity to Giuliani is lethal to a South Carolina GOP candidate.
And Floyd’s core 2009 team (Lerner, Barry Wynn, Eaddy Roe Willard, Mark Kelley, John Cattano) is comprised almost exclusively of “Rudy retreads.”
Frankly, we don’t believe there’s anything “lethal” or wrong with being associated with Rudy.
Let’s face it, hasn’t Gov. Mark Sanford essentially paid mere lip service to social conservative issues throughout his extremely successful political career in S.C.?
But that’s just it – Floyd isn’t running statewide this time around, she’s running for the votes of around 700 or so party activists.
In a recent interview, Floyd explained her rationale for supporting Giuliani as follows …
“I think as social conservatives we have two key responsibilities when it comes to political candidates,” Floyd said. “First, we must seek out like minded social conservatives and promote them for public office. Second, we need to educate existing leaders and those with real leadership potential who don’t completely share our socially conservative ideology. As part of working with someone, we can attempt to persuade using effective arguments and relevant facts on issues like life, Second Amendment, and family values. This tactic can be far more effective in encouraging them to rethink and, in many cases, amend their positions on social issues.”
What do you make of Floyd’s explanation?
Being Rudy fans, we don’t have a problem with her association with him … but then again our vote doesn’t count in this process.
Apparently the Giuliani association is toxic in many SCGOP circles, though, because SC Hotline (i.e. Floyd’s official/ unofficial campaign mouthpiece) doesn’t want it discussed, and will apparently resort to sending cryptic messages to us in an effort to keep it from being discussed.
One thing is for sure, though, this post is bound to result in another flurry of hugely-entertaining missives from Sewell, which we look forward to sharing with you.
Keep those cards and letters coming, Jeffrey!
It’s always nice to hear from you.
By w plus kK March 11, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Well now we know K Flo is on Sic Willie’s pay-HOE. What Rudy Speak! What Hizzonah Love! Way to let her down easy big boy is that how you roll like T-Rav? A little WHITE OFF THE D? So give. Did K SHLOB it direct??? OR did you get “fluffed” first (ur word) by K McG? Cuz we hear both.
By Adam March 11, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Sic–I understand that her Rudy association is toxic and have heard this from several friends in GOP circles. I just think what would be more toxic is her past long-standing association with the Democratic Party. A lot of us up here in Spartanburg familiar with local politics knew of Karen’s history of supporting Democrats and giving money to them before she decided to run for County Council as a Republican in 1998. She has given money to people like Fritz Hollings and Glenn Reese, and she supported Inez Tenenbaum over David Exkstrom in 1998 and gave her money. In fact, there really is nothing that was widely-known to suggest that she was this great champion of social conservative values before she decided to get on the state GOP stage in 2006.
By todd hammer March 11, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Adam is completely correct.
In fact, Karen has rarely participated in GOP activities until she is a candidate for something. After the race is over, she is gone again.
Ask all the small lowcountry counties.
By BIN News Edeitorial Staff March 11, 2009 at 8:18 pm
sic(k) willie seems to have another “love-hate” relationship. This time with his former almost boss/bud/partner (who fired him). BIN News does not have a dog in this, but readers who know and love us know we enjoy watching the fools roll.
Roll on boys. Just don’t get kinky. These blogs are public.
By kingrichard March 11, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Jeffrey had probably been in the sauce “as usual” and didn’t know what he was saying or doing!
By Pat Hendrix March 11, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Adam,
It’ the inevitable consequence of having a one party system. You get – wait for it, cough, cough, – moderates. Don’t worry, it’s not such a bad thing. It might help the Republicans dig out from the enormous hole they find themselves in, because afterall, Americans are theoretically conservative and operationally liberal. Tough but true.
By Bard of Beaufain St March 11, 2009 at 9:44 pm
This explains FITSNews’ periodic hit pieces against Mitt Romney.
By fitsnews March 11, 2009 at 11:27 pm
#1- Get a life.
#7- Our hit pieces against Mitt Romney have not been periodic, they have been sustained and relentless – as they will continue to be.
Oh, and we attack Romney for the sheer sport of it, because his fake ass is quite literally begging for it.
-FITS
By Truth March 11, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Wow, Todd Hammer is everywhere. This sounds a lot like Beltram talking points.
He’s on TheConservativist.com, goupstate.com forums, upstateupdate.com and fitsnews.com.
Looks like someone is trying to play spoiler.
By Tha Mack March 12, 2009 at 9:47 am
Obviously, Sewell wanted you to write about it. He just sent a link, that’s it, and then wanted you to run with it (which you did). Perhaps whoever Floyd supports Sewell wants that person to lose? And he sent you that little piece just so you’d pimp it out for him? We’ll see…should be fun.
By Tim March 12, 2009 at 10:57 am
Sewage once sent me an email that simply said, “Call,” which he later updated to “Call or you go down.” Respecting his inability to use words of two or more syllables, I responded with, “No.”
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By Eric March 25, 2009 at 9:17 am
Will,
I know this is an old post, but I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind elaborating on what you call Mark Sanford’s “extremely successful political career” in this state.
The numbers do not lie in unemployment in this state. Our education system rivals those of third world countries. Our state government has grown substantially during his term. The Republican Party in this state is as divided as can be. If one did not know anything about Mark Sanford, they would conclude that he has done a poor job. I realize that there are many factors that are out of the Governor’s hands. He is not the sole reason that this state is not in good shape.
I realize that you side with the Governor on many fiscal and ideological issues. I also realize that you do not side with the many members of the Legislature, whom you consistently refer to as RINOs. And I will agree with you that Sanford has done a good job of promoting a true Republican approach to issues. But my question is- don’t you feel that as Governor, it is his job to make things work regardless of the differences that may exist?
You believe in what the Governor believes, and that’s fine, many do. But why hasn’t he been able to install the type of government that he believes is right? There is obviously a rift between the Governor and the Legislature on many issues, causing a difficult path to accomplish goals. But why, in his 6+ years in office, has Sanford failed to bring the SCGOP, the SCDP, and the state of SC together on accomplishing what is good for the people? Is it not the job of the Governor to find a common ground that works? The situation in this state is not good for the people. At the end of the day our government is ineffective and our state is in shambles because of it. I, for one, believe that it is the Governor’s job to make this state government work, regardless of the differences he and the members of the Legislature may have.
Whenever you get the time, I would like to hear why you think Sanford’s political career is “extremely successful” because no one would be foolish enough to describe the past decade or so of SC government as extremely successful.