McMaster Running For Governor
S.C. Attorney General and former SCGOP Chairman Henry McMaster – who may very well be the most glad-handing, photo-opping, knee-jerking, substance-less Bubba to ever seek “higher” office in the State of South Carolina – finally filed his paperwork to run for governor yesterday.
In other news – gravity works.
And the sun came up this morning.
And the Gamecocks aren’t expected to do very much on the gridiron this fall.
A formal announcement (seriously, can you stand the suspense?) is planned for later this month, at which point McMaster will likely fumble over an uninspiring speech and guffaw at lot. He may also amble. And call somebody “darlin’” or “little lady.”
Why is McMaster waiting until now to announce? After all, he’s been running for governor ever since he coasted to reelection (unopposed) as the state’s Attorney General four years ago.
Sources tell FITS that McMaster had planned on formally jumping into the race earlier this year, but was too busy dealing with the fallout from his fight with Internet giant Craigslist – a fight McMaster not only lost but came out of looking like a two-bit political opportunist and reflexive panderer.
Which he obviously is.
In addition to the black eye that Ol’ Henry (and South Carolina) received at the hand of Craigslist, McMaster will also have to deal with lingering bad press from another high-profile sex-related case he lost back in 2007, as well as the fact he’s a member of a “whites only” country club.
Oh, wait … this is a Republican primary.
Anyway, speaking of which McMaster didn’t exactly leave the SCGOP’s finances in tip-top shape, either, adding “fiscal irresponsibility” to an already unimpressive resume.
Anyway, like every other candidate who announces for this post we’ll judge McMaster only in part on his rather uninspiring past. We also want to see the specific policy he articulates over the course of his campaign – assuming he ever articulates any.
Frankly, though, of all the candidates running for governor on either side of the aisle, McMaster strikes us as the most intellectually incurious.
Of course if you said that to him … he’d probably just stare at you, scratch his head and eventually say “why, dat der is da nassist tang anyone ahs done said abouts me ta-day!”
Comments
By Barak on August 4th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Why do you think I got elected?
Becasue the GOP has leadership like this guy McMaster. And Bauer, and Barrett…
Keep it up…all my friends need elected jobs. 2010 should be a good year for us.
By McFailure on August 4th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Forest Lake Country Club killed Katon Dawson’s career, do we really not think the same will happen to McMaster. I mean really, can the SCGOP afford to defend that racist bastard ahead of 2012?
By CNSYD on August 4th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Barrett, McMaster, Haley, Sanfraud, DeMint, et al. The SCGOP is just loaded with superstars. NOT!
By liz on August 4th, 2009 at 8:26 am
He has to face that the also refused to investigate many many matters.
He’s been the worst AG in the history of this state. We cannot afford to let Henry play Governor.
By Jed on August 4th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Henry was made to look like Gomer Pyle by Craigslist. You can’t blame Henry for being in an all white country club though. How was he supposed to network with all the other Republicans if he didn’t join up?
I wonder (not that it matters) what his touted agenda will be if he becomes Governor? I suppose he will vow to reduce unemployment( using some secret magic formula) and be a fiscal conservative.
By Philip Branton on August 4th, 2009 at 9:40 am
There is more stink than a “Methane Tapping LANDFILL” with this political mis-direction. This plays right into the hands of Bobby Harrell, Gilda Cobb-Hunter, FORD, and McConnell…!!!! And lest we forget Knotts and the “Peeler TRI-FECTA”…!!!!! That pitbull in the photo is really the slobering Legislature after OUR taxpaying WALLETS…..!!!!!!!!
WE ARE FED UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Hmmmmm on August 4th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Waiting for the other shoe to drop where Trey Gowdy pulls out of Senate race and runs for AG – “for family reasons”.
By Native on August 4th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Who ISN’T a member of Forest Lake???
If you got a membership list, it is a Who’s Who of Columbia. I would hardly categorize it as a career killer.
By shazzzam on August 4th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Henry is Gomer….
His membership in Forest Lake is going to kill him……
That and his style of speaking “Fum de front poach of de plantatio….”
will turn off people who haven’t noticed he had been the state’s top attorney for eight years.
By Workin' Tommy C on August 4th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Are we going to get a choice other than another corrupt, establishment, do-nothing, “good ol’ boy” this time around? McMaster, Barrett, and Bauer just sort of blur into one person as far as I can tell.
Oh, yeah! There’s Nikki Haley! She actually treats her position in the General Assembly as a JOB! She won’t be treating the governor’s office as a “reward” or a “promotion” like the other candidates who are a bunch of Peter-Principled no-loads.
Believe it or not, Nikki Haley’s actually got a record of taking risks, kicking posteriors, and taking names. She fights for us. She also communicates with us. I’ve never met another politician so open to talking to and listening to hard working, everyday citizens. There’s no other choice for anyone who wants real reform in this state.
I think we’ll find that Nikki Haley is the Laura Croft of South Carolina gubernatorial politics. The good ol’ boys won’t know what hit ‘em!
McMaster can stick that on Craigs List and advertise it!
By Another opinion on August 4th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Ms. Haley appears to have several “records”, some good and some bad. Let’s not forget when she was “personally” picked by our Luv Gov to accompany him on a China trip when she was only a freshman in state government! Let’s also not forget her short memory about how she flew to China. If she cannot remember flying first or business class then she doesn’t have the smarts to be governor. Lastly, she broke state law when she flew first or business class. Ignorance of the “law” is no excuse. Maybe she is next on the “investigation” list! Anyway, this state cannot afford one more year of these “reformers” being in office. It is killing this state!
By Cola Native on August 4th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Sic-
Looks like you got all 10 of your friends to comment against Henry. Nikki will be proud of you. Do you get a bonus for every anti-Henry / pro-Haley comment you can plant?
I am for Henry but, do not like that he is a member of Forest Lake, if in fact he is. And there are plenty of people of great importance in the political landscape of Columbia that are not members of FLC because of it’s membership policies.
I believe that Henry is viewed as a respected fighter for injustice in SC (win or lose) and he will be a great Gov. “Good ole boy” campaigning is not dead yet and Henry, along with sophisticated “new school” campaigning, will be victorious. Nikki has no real network, everything working against her, and an shinning endorsement from the great Mark Sanford. She’s in the hole before she gets started.
By w on August 4th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Cola Native – sounds like you work for the SCPC
By scooter on August 4th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
No, No, not McMaster. Can’t do it. There is only one republican in the state that I would vote for, and he has done a lot for seniors and others in the state.
By Jenn on August 4th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I believe as it has been stated, Nikki Haley flew business class. She did not make the reservations, the Dept of Commerce did.
Nikki Haley is the only candidate that offers a future to South Carolina. All others will just drag us along with the do nothing legislature. Enough of the good ol boys, it’s time to move our state into the 21st century and vote NIKKI HALEY for GOVERNOR!
By Cola Native on August 4th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
w – Nope. I do not work in any political position. Noone pays me to have my opinion. sorry.
scooter – Has he done a lot for seniors or has he done a lot for photo ops with seniors?
By Todd on August 5th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Cola Moron, I mean, Cola Native. You are just as stupid as Henry. Have a nice day. And I don’t give a rat’s ass about Nikki whatever her name is or how she spells it. She doesn’t have a prayer. liz up there knows something and it’s time she spills the beans….. which investigations do you know he swept under the rug as part of political deals???? I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…..(coughtoalcough)…..
By anonymous on August 5th, 2009 at 8:23 am
News media finally gets importance of ‘Family”
From the time it was reported that Ensign and Sanford were members of The Family, there has been a new media revelation every week about this secretive group that recruits conservative politicos to further The Family’s political agenda.
Sharlet uncovered documents that show that The Family’s political doctrine suggests that Stalin and Mao represent the best role models of leadership through absolute strength. Sharlet’s documents show that a fundamental part of The Family’s political beliefs is that strict authoritarian rule is the most acceptable form of government and that the hand-picked elite politicos in their organization are the ones most capable of promoting that iron-fisted doctrine.
Today the short list of the politicos revealed to be part of the Family includes Republicans …and Jim DeMint. That list is growing. Media such as NPR are now reporting stories about how The Family has, by way of huge money and political influence, propped up some of the world’s most ruthless dictators to promote authoritarian policy.
The Family’s money and fingerprints have been traced to the support of Haiti’s mass-murdering “Papa Doc” Duvalier and Somalia’s doctor death, Gen. Siad Barre.
http://www.pnj.com/article/20090805/OPINION/908050315/News-media-finally-gets-importance-of–Family-
By Another opinion on August 5th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Business Class is another name for “something better than coach class” and is against the law. It does not matter who made the reservations, Haley knew better than to accept it and knew it was wrong. Kind of like the Luv Gov knowing that having a Soul Mate was wrong but did it anyway. All she had to do was decline, but no, she wanted to be a big shot and ride near her role model, the Luv Gov. This still does not answer how she moved up the ranks so quick as to get a “free trip” to China as a new-comer to the State House. I smell something more. In any respect, this is not going away and I have a feeling we are going to hear more as we get closer to the election on the behavior of all of the candidates. As my republican party tears itsself apart, I predict that Mr. Sheheen will win as he focuses his platform on jobs, jobs, jobs and more jobs. He is talking a very good game plan so far.
By Clueless on August 5th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
The Bunker Boy Rape Case. The guy built a bunker, and then took young girls down into it so he could have sex with them. How in the hell do you lose a case like that? He built a SECRET UNDERGROUND BUNKER. And had SEX WITH YOUNG WOMEN IN IT. Most solicitors would just have to read the indictment to get a conviction. But McMaster lost it. And what about the York County murder case? You know, the one where the solicitor wouldn’t prosecute because the cops had already SWORN OUT ANOTHER WARRANT CHARGING SOMEONE ELSE WITH IT? Oh, that’s right– he lost that one, too. But at least he was on the right side of the I Believe license plates . . . oh, wait.
By sam on August 5th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
That is a terrible photo of Peggy McMaster. Though the tounge is about right…
By Al on August 5th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Henry McMaster wont get 50 votes in Anderson County. Maybe he should run for something in New York. It worked for Hillary in her district up there with the dumb yankees who only want to know when the next welfare check is coming. Sounds like Gracie Floyd’s council district in Anderson where at least 88% of the people are on welfare and stamps.
By wingnut on August 5th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Does anyone really know anything about Larry Grooms. A dark horse white guy from Charleston…no, no one like that could ever emerge and turn out to be the best real conservative…wait…(Sanford)
By anonymous on August 5th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Mr. Sanford,
How does it feel to be back in South Carolina?
…uh uh uh well, feels good …uh uh uh …are you able to get alot done with your trip away? …uh uh uh yeah!
Sir, so what’s the business at hand in South Carolina? …the business at hand is trying to catch those boys that are rushing ahead of me right now…uh uh uh …wait, let me finish…
Sir? Sir, I know on the way out to Europe that you took two blackberries and that you were going to stay in touch, did you get any work done? uh uh uh ABSOLUTELY! uh uh uh ABSOLUTELY!..wait, let me finish…
Sir, what lies ahead in the short session? …uh uh uh say again? …say again? What lies ahead in the short sesion for you and the guys? …uh uh uh …what lies ahead is …and workin’ on uh….uh ….uh …the job at hand for the people of the state …and uh …and the many of the things we gotta get done from the standpoint of the state and uh uh uh …and the standpoint of restructuring and uh uh uh …and economic development and uh uh uh …and down the list and uh uh uh …and the job at home as well and uh uh uh …
Sir, tell me about restoring trust? uh uh uh well, we talked about that last time! Ha! Ha!…Sir, yeah we did! he he he…
Sir, what do you think? You’re gonna hang out until 2011, Huh? …uh uh uh well, I wouldn’t call it hanging out …uh uh uh …that goes back to those two blackberry’s we were looking at …uh uh uh….
Sir, is there anything else that you want to say to the people of South Carolins? uh uh uh well, look I have to get in my SLED vehicle right now ….uh uh uh …wait, let me finish ..uh uh uh …
FULL STORY:
http://www.wistv.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4017861&h1=Raw%20video%3A%20Sanford%20at%20airport%20after%20Europe%20trip&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=135667&LaunchPageAdTag=Political&activePane=info&rnd=55860952
Gov. Sanford back in Carolinas
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10853428
By Cola Native on August 6th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Todd – There is no need for name calling, really. How old are you, 10?
The Toal case was handled by the Columbia Police, and until the ask for help or someone of authority demands a state invstigation on it, the AG’s office will not butt in. Obviously, the Columbia Police thought they did a good job. Maybe you ought ask Mayor Coble about the Toal case.
Henry has done wonders for the State’s fight against sexual predetors. And as a father of 2 kids under 6, I like that.
It is Okay to agree to disagree without calling each other names. You sound like the type of person that enjoys calling people you don’t know “moron” on a blog, but would never do it to my face. I think there is a name for that…
By SC girl on August 24th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I guess if him being a member of an all white country club makes him a racist, then we should assume that anyone participating in the Miss Black America pageant is racist, oh and the NAACP,(by the standard set in this article)racist.
It’s really a shame when people make decent points about something to discuss and then they let their ignorance, or is it their racism, show with a stereo-typical comment.
By Workin' Tommy C on August 25th, 2009 at 10:20 am
For the record: I don’t know and have never met “Sic” but I find that I agree with him on some things.
I also don’t get paid for sharing my wisdom but, being poor, will gladly take any donations.
My responses are just “self-help” therapy for a patriotic American who wants to see the restoration of our American Republic based on natural law. I have to ventilate on the criminals in office as one of the 12 steps towards political recovery.