Norman Invasion?
A comment on our website earlier this week asked “how many names is Sic going to throw against the wall?” for the 2010 GOP governor’s race in South Carolina.
Apparently the answer to that question is “at least one more.” For now.
Sources in Rock Hill tell FITS that former S.C. Rep. Ralph Norman – widely-discussed as a prospective candidate for Lt. Governor – has actually been directly approached by Gov. Mark Sanford and asked to run for governor instead.
These sources also claim that Sanford – a notoriously unreliable endorser – has pledged to lend both his popular name and prodigious fund-raising contacts to a Norman candidacy.
If you’re anything like us, you’re thinking … “yeah, right” right about now.
But just as we were preparing to discount this rumor completely, a source close to Sanford confirmed that the governor had indeed visited with Norman recently and discussed “future campaigns.”
The source declined to say whether Sanford had asked Norman to run for governor, though.
Norman’s positives? He’s a taxpayer hero whose fiscal conservative chops and free market allegiance are undisputed.
Norman’s negatives? He ran perhaps the worst GOP congressional campaign in SC history in 2006, getting flat out trounced by Rep. John Spratt.
Anyway, we’ll let you know what we’re able to uncover about this latest 2010 rumor …
Comments
By Swing Daddy on March 20th, 2009 at 7:23 am
A one term state rep would have a rather slim record to base that assumpton on, don’t you think?
By Finally on March 20th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I think you found your reform candidate.
Look at the other names that have been floated out there:
Davis: no interest
Halley: no chance
Mulvaney: no money
Taylor: no reason
Waldorf: no name
Those are all great reformers, but you have to have a combination of interest, money, name recognition…and the drive to do it. And being 6′2″ and good looking with a great family doesn’t hurt (seriously, can you name another true conservative reformer over 6 foot tall…wonder what went wrong with Leatherman)
Ralph immediately goes to the head of the list if he is really interested and Sanford is really with him.
By Maria on March 20th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Ralph Norman is a has-been. Just like David Beasley was in 2004. You run for Congress, you lose, end of story–go back to the private sector. Plus Ralph is like the most least-inspriring pol we have in the area GOP. Id stick with Tom Davis Nikki Haley and Nathan Ballentine.
By Toyota Kawaski on March 20th, 2009 at 9:44 am
oh boy lending the SanFRAUD name makes me wont to vote early and ofter for Norman Chad
By Swing Daddy on March 20th, 2009 at 10:48 am
How does one feel about RINOs who use government power and money for their personal gain?
“Representative Ralph Norman of Rock Hill says he wants the money redirected to other interchanges in his House district. Norman said last week he would lobby to have the work abandoned unless Rock Hill leaders change how they plan to spend the money.
Norman has said he opposes the city’s landscaping plan because it would leave about a quarter of the trees there standing. He says more trees should be cut so drivers and potential shoppers can get a clearer view of businesses as they drive by. That includes property his developed and 15 acres of prime property near the intersection.
Norman says there is no conflict of interest and he is standing up for taxpayers.”
Read it yourself at http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4145382&nav=0RaP
Yep, a real outstanding Sanford ally with a great record. A one term state representative who uses connections to intimidate local governments for personal gain. Kind of reminds me of the guy who used his power to get the Marines to stop from flying over his planation.
Sounds familiar?
By Maria on March 20th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Finally: By “Taylor” do you mean “Joe Taylor” and where do you get that he is a conservative reformer a la Davis, Haley and Waldorff?