SC Republicans, Democrats Make “Power” Grab
Ten gubernatorial candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties shared a stage at a primary debate in Orangeburg, S.C. Tuesday night – the first time that’s happened in South Carolina history.
The joint debate – which focused on environmental issues – was sponsored by the S.C. Natural Resources Society. It marked the first opportunity South Carolinians have had to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Democratic slate of candidates, and voters’ second peek at the GOP field.
Jockeying for soundbites, the candidates actually did a better than expected job of sticking to the issues that were being debated – although many of the positions they took fit neatly into predictable, partisan boxes.
In fact, with the exception of a spirited debate over U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (whose position on a controversial energy tax was bashed by Republicans and praised by Democrats), there was little to distinguish this debate from the identical partisan spat going on in Washington over the energy issue.
“Science is clear that global warming does exist,” liberal lobbyist Dwight Drake, a Democrat, told the audience on statewide tape delay.
State Sen. Larry Grooms, one of the more conservative of the Republican candidates, challenged that claim.
“Some folks say it’s global cooling,” Grooms said.
Candidates were clearly desperate to find ways to link the energy debate with job creation – which polls show is the runaway No. 1 issue on voters’ minds given the Palmetto State’s high unemployment rate.
“The path to prosperity in South Carolina is lit with nuclear power,” S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster said.
“Go after oil if it’s there,” McMaster added, referring to offshore drilling. “Natural gas and wind, too. But nuclear is the future.”
“You can have it all,” U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett said, referring to the job creation potential of various sources of renewable energy.
Barrett was also one of several Republicans to support offshore drilling as an option.
“There may not be anything (there), but there again there may be something that is good for South Carolina in the tune of hundreds of millions of royalties, tens of thousands of jobs,” he said.
Democratic front-runner Vincent Sheheen, a State Senator from Kershaw County, disagreed with Barrett – citing the potentially adverse impact offshore drilling could have on the state’s multibillion-dollar tourism industry.
“We would be fools — fools — to jeopardize the tourism industry of South Carolina for something that’s not there in oil and we would be wasting our money,” Sheheen said.
State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex seconded Sheheen’s point, adding that “there is no rationale for endangering our beaches or frankly any of our neighbors’ beaches” by drilling for oil.
In perhaps the best line of the evening, Rex struck comedic gold via a rare moment of self-deprecating clarity.
“If we put a wind turbine in front of this stage, we could solve a lot of the energy needs of this state,” Rex said.
As much as Rex is among the arch offenders when it comes to creating political hot air, truer words have never been spoken.
Unlike a Republican debate held back in September, embattled S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford was not a hot topic in this discussion.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s support of a “Cap & Trade” plan that would raise energy costs on South Carolina families, on the other hand, was clearly on the candidates’ radar.
Graham was criticized pointedly by Barrett, Bauer and S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley for his position on “Cap & Trade,” with Haley remarking that she was “disappointed” in Graham.
Even McMaster – who is one of Graham’s staunchest political allies – said that “Cap & Trade” was “nothing but a tax.”
WEB EXTRAS
Candidates kick off race in Orangeburg (Orangeburg Times & Democrat)
Candidates debate 1 year before election (Charleston Post and Courier)
Gubernatorial candidates take crowded stage(The State)
Environment debated by SC gubernatorial hopefuls (Associated Press)
Comments
By McFogle on November 4th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Let’s not explore for natural gas, but let’s definitely put up a bunch of freakin’ wind turbines because that won’t jeopardize tourism at all!!!
By follydude on November 4th, 2009 at 9:44 am
can anyone explain what Robert Ford is saying?
why is he in the reace?
By Hal I. on November 4th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I thought Bauer, Drake and Rex did a pretty good job of tying the issues back to their core points, and also of sounding reasonably knowledgeable on the issues. Bauer’s line to Barrett a/b keeping him around for his cabinet was the sound bite of the nite. McLeod wasn’t bad either, but I felt he should’ve maintained his composure a bit more.
McMaster looked awful… like he had no interest in being there. Grooms came off as desperate w/ all the Twitter references, Haley looked like a deer in the headlights and Sheheen just played up his awk shucks, gee whiz image which makes him seem unserious and out of his league. Barrett was middle of the road.
And Robert Ford was, um, interesting…
By Tee on November 4th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Hahaha, Sen Ford’s the man! He wants to turn South Carolina into Hollywood and Vegas, now thats what im talking about. Celebrities and video poker!!!
Winners of last night debates:
Republican:
1)(Tie)Barrett, Bauer
2) Grooms
3) Haley
Democrat:
1)Rex
2)Sheehen
3)Mullins
By Limelight on November 4th, 2009 at 10:52 am
A movie in every south carolina town every day of the week capitalizing on our “ante-bellum” “civil war” and “war between the states” fame.
So movies about slavery in every South Carolina town is the vision.
By CNSYD on November 4th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Ford was just being Ford. He knows he hasn’t got a chance so why not have some fun. Haley is too afraid to step out of Sanfraud’s shadow. Grooms started well but then went into too much hard sell that is a turnoff. Also, any good legislation was sponsored by Grooms per Grooms. McLeod was over the top in trying to be the “outsider”. Shaheen thinks he is owed nomination due to his family much like Tumpy. McMaster comes across as a good ole boy. Does he think that is what sells? Drake, much like Grooms but for a longer time, has been behind every good thing that has ever happened, per Drake. Barrett’s mistake was being there. Now he has exposed himself.
By philip branton on November 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Well….well…..WELL !!!
All things considered, lets just step back and actually take a hard look at how this extravaganza is being reported statewide…!!! Pick any PAPER…!?! The Times and Democrat provide a full spread, but what percentage of their readership understand how to use the comment section of the very paper their reading to have ONE Voice like MLK would teach about if he was ALIVE today..!! LOL….!?! Look at the coverage across the rest of the STATE…!?!
Robert Ford is really shown some LOVE..!? Nikki “SIX” really came across HOW..!?! Rex “Mex” really showed his leadership skills after his WIND TURBINE joke…!! Talk about energy knowledge…..does Rex know how much foreign ENERGY is bought statewide for our PUBLIC and Private Schools…!?! Does REX know that all those school parking lots that he has been the LEADER of is THERMAL ENERGY…!?! Thermal Energy to help HEAT all our schools in the WINTER instead of railing or Shipping in MORE foreign COAL…!?! How many square miles of ROOF TOPS do OUR public schools have to generate SOLAR energy…!?!?! How many of these students will be called to DUTY in the coming years in Afghanistan…to DIE..!?!
For what……JIM REX…!?!?
Does Jim or Nikki or Robert FORD know how much TRASH ENERGY is in the school systems TRASH that is buried in a LANDFILL…!?!?! DO they know how TRASH is turned into ENERGY in Afghanistan to protect the TALIBAN’s environment but yet they FAIL to inform the voting public about their CHOICES to CLOSE their own LANDFILLS…!?! To protect the VOTER’S (that are going to be voting for them)…ENVIRONMENT..!?! Maybe all candidates need to read here…. http://www.qinetiq.com/home/markets/energy_environment/energy_from_waste.html#
It is clearly EVIDENT that this WEBSITE alone is by far the most insightful and politically leveraging here in the PALMETTO State…!! Just as Wil understands that all our state’s newspapers are not GETTING IT DONE, all “Sandlapper” Politicos understand that you NEVER report on any subject that EVERYONE has in common…!!! OUR LOCAL ENERGY…..!!!! Wil is laying a FIRM foundation that will be used to beat the BRAINS out of Democrats and RINOz and Republicans in our state …..!!!!!
Do I agree with Will all the time……no..
Would I run a website the same…..probably not..
But guess what CANDIDATES…(yes YOU) …..Will and I both know that you ALL hang on the very comments of all of Fitsnews READERS….!!!!
Wil and I both know that we have WIND ENERGY…..!!! That is NOT being harnessed all over our state…..
Wil and I both know that we have technology that would CLOSE Down all LANDFILLS in our state and allow Cities to keep MORE of their TAX revenue instead of being skimmed by the COUNTY and STATE racketeering Elite…!!!
Wil and I both know that OUR state has and Algae Bio-Diesel producing company that would be used to fuel BMW diesel cars that is not be SOLD at stations for consumers and VOTERS to have a CHOICE to purchase…!?! http://www.rwenergies.com/
Wil and I both know that the questions asked at this “Patty Cake” session in O-Burg would not be the ONES ….WE WOULD ask…!?!
Candidates…..I may be wrong….I’m just a voter with a SLINGSHOT…
BUT….(Fist Poundz…!)
We have WIND…….
We have Trash……
We have Local Diesel…..
and we have BODY BAGS coming back from …..WHERE !?!?
WE….ARE….FED….UP !!!!!
Wil and I are …..winners…!!!!
By follydude on November 4th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Barrett looks and sounds like a GWB clone.
By Paul Zimmerman on November 4th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Ford had a point. Bringing a non-union studio to Barnwell or Allendale county, an area with an excess of unskilled workers who could deal with the on again off again workload, isn’t a bad idea. You would have to target independent filmmakers but there seems to be more and more of those anyway. The catering jobs, craft work, grips, etc., as low paying as they may be, are a lot better than no jobs at all.
By weighing in on November 4th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Does Phillip Branton have a blog or just hijack this one?
By Bobby on November 4th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
“Democratic front-runner Vincent Sheheen” – well we only have one poll so far and I’m not sure how the man running third behind Robert Ford qualifies as the front-runner just because he has been raising money for months.
By Brian on November 4th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Ford won it — wasn’t even close.
I understood where he was going with the movie studio, but I’m still trying to figure out this DHEC quote:
“Please don’t mess with DHEC,” Ford implored. “That agency does a wonderful job. I had five major explosions in my district and I was glad DHEC did it the right way.”
Rewatched that quote a dozen times to make sure I was hearing it right and I still can’t figure out if that’s a ‘pro-DHEC’ or sarcastic con?
The “real” story of why Ford was the winner: http://thediscust.com/?p=1540
By jeffy on November 4th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Haters….Andre won it….and he will win it all…despite all of the carping on this site.
By Joker on November 4th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Phillip Branton:
I think I speak for all regular readers of this site when I say you are completely…totally…thoroughly…insane.
By philip branton on November 4th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
WOW….now I’m a hijacker..!?! LOL…!?!
Well, I just checked and I’m not over Lockerbie…!? LOL…
So…thus far today…lets take each comment..!!
Well McFogle, so you think that wind turbines will destroy TOURISM…??? You must be a lobbyist for ROBERT Byrd and the COAL pimpin’ lobby..!!! Under a Philip Branton governorship, we would actually put up tons of different COLORED Wind Turbines for various charitable causes….Pink for breast Cancer, Red for Firemen, Blue for law enforcement, Green for WHAT, Black for Civil War SLAVES who fought and DIED, yellow for Lance Armstrong…WHAT.??, Orange for CLEMSON, Garnet for USC……you get my drift…) If you don’t think that we would actually generate MORE tourism……JUST THINK Orange and BLACK for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON bikers….enuff said..!!
Next up….Folly DUDE…well F-D, Robert FORD is getting covered HOW by the POST and Courier today..!? He is actually jockeying for WHAT..!?! The reason he FAILS to mention anything about ENERGY from TRASH is because of WHAT “hokus pokus” between Berkeley County Council and Charleston County Council and the CRDA….!?!
Well HAL I., you say “..Bauer’s line to Barrett a/b keeping him around for his cabinet was the sound bite of the nite. McLeod wasn’t bad either, but I felt he should’ve maintained his composure a bit more….” YOU FELT HE SHOULD HAVE MAINTAINED HIS COMPOSURE…!?! Well Hal, look where composure has gotten OUR state…!?! Look what composure is allowing our Legislators and DHEC brass to enlarge our state LANDFILLS and pocket the methane scam…!?!?
Next up…Tee….well Tee, by your very words and the choices of Barrett and Bauer in a “Tie” …can only mean ONE THING…..you Tee are the “T” for Jim “T-Rex” Rex…!!! And where has he been on ENERGY Choices or School Choice…..even Robert Ford realizes that SLAVES have no choice and that is why he is talking VEGAS and Hollywood to draw attention away from a unifying issue.
Next Up …LIMELIGHT….Well LIME-lite, you say..”..So movies about slavery in every South Carolina town is the vision.” Hasn’t that been the vision since the CIVIL WAR for both parties ..?? We do NOT have a CHOICE at the pump between LOCAL farmer produced energy and foreign OIL….so, as said before…NO CHOICE is a sign of SLAVERY…!! Who needs a movie to remind US when we all should be reminded every time we go to the GAS PUMP..!!
Next up…CNSYD… Well yard-bird, they all were playing around while OUR landfills get LARGER and our taxes GO up to truck OUR trash farther and farther away …!!
Next up….Folly DUDE….Well F-D, GWB did what for LOCAL Energy…nada !!
Next up…..Paul Z… Well Paulz, where there is smoke there is what..?!? Ever since Army Wives, Robert Ford has always envisioned being Billy Dee Williams. Since he is obviously enthralled with a star on the Palmetto walk of fame, Mr. Robert Ford must have some grease coming back around the backside for servicing the MOVIE Industry..!!
Next Up…Bobby…..Well BOBBY, you have go to see WHO paid for the POLL..!?!
Why would anyone vote for a DEMOCRAT when GE has been here in our state producing WHAT for how long..!?! To then have REX who is a Democrat make a JOKE and then NOT HAMMER who on stage for their total Silence on helping BLACK Farmers get turbines up on their property to genereate tax revenue and royalty checks..!?!
Attention Citizens….since we have a Rino in Bobby Harrell…a RINO in Glenn McConnell….. and a RINO in JAKE KNOTTZ and none of these 3 have publicly endorsed ANYONE should send signals LOUD and CLEAR…!! They do not CARE who WIND the Governorship…..!!!
AND THAT IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL South Carolina residents….!!!
In addition, the blatant FACT that none of the DEMOCRAT candidates has a CLUE about the cost of ENERGY in attracting what types of Industry should also be a WARNING…!?!? As clearly reported in the AWARDING of “Incentives” for attracting BOEING this past week, OUR servants would much rather give away our TAXES as incentives instead of focusing on what type of LOCAL Energy could be generated to LURE this fine industry..!?!
Citizens….name ONE issue that ANY of these candidates has focused on in the last year…or 3 years .!? Are any of the issues unifying to ALL Citizens..!?!
Video POker….unifying..??
Senior SCam….unifying.??
Everyone has trash…..unifying YES..
Everyone hates landfills….unifying YES
Everyone knows we have WIND….unifying YES
Everyone knows we have GE …SC jobs YES
EVERYONE has an ELECTRIC BILL…..unifying YES
Everyone appreciates Charities….unifying YES
Charities would appreciate ROYALTIES from wind Turbine proceeds…unifying YES
Everyone appreciated SC Farmers…..unifying YES
All Citizens appreciate Philip Branton’s message….unifying YES
Who do DEMOCRATS Elites fear……….
Who do RINO-CRATS fear…….
Who do Republican Elites fear…….
The ONE person that all voters DO NOT Fear……….
By CNSYD on November 4th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Phillip Branton, you need to stop missing taking your meds or the men in white coats will have to come and take you away.
By HE-MAN on November 4th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I just left happy hour and had a few drinks with Jean Toal and she blabbed that Sanfraud camp threatened her with a dry state if she ruled in the House’s favor, last I saw she side swiped a few cars on her dash out cursing Sanfraud as the Argentine Ass Lover!!!! How long does it take for them to rule its not rocket science???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
By 2 Cents on November 4th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Never a dull moment on FITS.
Philip, if you’re being serious, take some meds.
If you’re horsing around or just plain crazy, then welcome, you’ll FIT right in on this site.
By Martha Washington on November 4th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
“Patience is a virtue” folks however “God takes care of fools and drunks’ comes to mind too…
“Go after oil if it’s there,” McMaster added, referring to offshore drilling.“Natural gas and wind, too. But nuclear is the future.”
McMaster and Grooms haven’t researched the lack of wind in SC. I agree we should go nuclear but not in national nuclear waste collection. Nuclear is safe and efficient. Individuals can use solar panels for home energy augmentation easily. The comments about drilling offshore are baseless: Candidates are not oceanographers and the truth is that the estuaries are too delicate to tolerate oil spills from single hull tankers. We need to stop our addiction to oil and stop using ethanol from corn which is needed for food.
Ford and Bauer have high speed vehicular tickets and need driving/flying lessons. Grooms needs to stop twittering every five minutes. McMaster might be qualified but is too entrenched in “the game”. Ford has had a change of heart lately on many issues that raise my curiosity. I can’t get past his history of…well-can’t say that I will get sued.
Barrett lost before he started: remember the Immigration reform bill when he and the rest of the HJ committee let in the chamberm the meat packers, the tourism lobby and the Hispanic caucus to weaken the bill.
Look up Sheheen’s bills he has sponsored. Nothing that really impressed me there.
Why would we want the Education Superintendent to be Governor!? Just let the United NAtions run the state! They already set the agenda in our schools!!They will be soon if this “environmentalism” takes over. Look at http://www.FreedomAdvocates.org and http://www.AmericanPolicy.org to learn about Sustainable Development and Agenda(Action)21. They will take over through environmental communism. So no no no to Rex.
Finally, Nikki Haley has contradictions in her record and her statements that should be cleared up and acknowledged honestly.
Like a smart man told me recently, there isn’t a perfect person running for Governor so focus on the Legislature. We have to get rid of 51% of those RINOS and Reparationists. STart fresh and focus on STATES RIGHTS and SOUND MONEY.
By Ynot on November 5th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Branton, the only thing you missed was SUNSHINE and this state has it and NEEDS more of it.
Sunshine, transparency would clear the air around here while the natives are getting restless. Remember government in the United States of America is for, of and by the people, not for , of and by these the elected elite, the chosen, the C Street culters.
Sunshine produces solar energy too.
Click on the link below for a biz up in Greenville that’s been around for more than thirty years, yet notta soul has heard of it, right?
http://www.sunstoresolar.com/experience.html
they are very very busy these days as I hear it.
By proudofsc on November 5th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I thought Rex sounded knowledgeable and appeared composed. He presented himself well. BUT, he has done very little at that mess on Senate St. There are people who take 2 hours or more for lunch; one can never find anybody by phone (they are always “out,” and there are just too many people emloyed there who need to retire. I have been very disappointed that he did not take steps to really “shake” things up. So, even though he impressed me during the debate, I just wonder if he would really accomplish anything as Governor. Would he still allow the entrenched to continue to roll along like always? Sorry to say it, but I can’t support him because of reasons stated above.
Drake is very smart, but….
Sheheen looked like a baby…
Barrett, mercy, not impressive AT ALL…
Haley- no way… she can’t remember on a 13 hour flight if she was in first or coach. DEAD in the water.
Bauer-did anybody notice his eyebrows? They look better than 99% of women I know.
McMaster-sorry to admit it, but that is all that is left. Right now-he has my vote.
By philip branton on November 5th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
LOL….LOL…
SO …good ol’ BOYS……it is CLEAR by the very articles running in the state press today that the ONLY candidate that is rattling the knees of ANYONE is Nikki Haley….!! However, she is falling into a politically fatal TRAP….!!!
She comes across too much like Linda Ketner and Gilda Cobb-Hunter…!! Neither one of these women had the Ta-Tas to stand up to Bobby Harrell or Henry Brown on OUR ENERGY SLAVERY…!!! MEN love a fighter…and women listen to Dr. Laura or Nancy GRACE….!!! Voters do NOT need to be entertained by Oprah…!! South Carolina is where it is AT because most women who hold office have always been NICE….!?!! Nice is for CHURCH; NOT politics and TRUTH..!!!
Nikki……come here….we know you READ the comments on FITSNEWS..!! What are you doing “Miss Linda”..!?! Who the heck is heading your campaign…!?! FIRE THEM …today…!! By God Nikki, WE EXPECT you to be a WINNER…!!! You need to get out on your back porch and write a SPEECH yourself that clearly shows that you know exactly WHO you SERVE…!!!! Well, Nikki, do the voters know about the LOCAL Energy that South Carolina…HAS..!?! Energy is a topic that effects EVERYONE…!!! Both Bobby Harrell and Gilda Cobb-Hunter have voters who ALL have TRASH…!?! Nikki do you not think that Bobby Harrell’s voters know that they HAVE wind energy that is NOT be harnessed to generate TAX Revenue…!?! HIS VOTERS ARE….SOPHISTICATED …!!!
Nikki do you have ANY ….BOOTS….!!?!?
Do you use your CELL phone…!?! How many OPEN Door sessions are you going to have a WEEK…!?!
Nikki …are you for BREAST CANCER Research..??? How would a PINK Wind Turbine be used to generate needed research dollars…!?!?!
MY BACKSIDE…..NIKKI…!!!
Nikki, we highly suggest you pick up the freakin phone and CALL Campbell and VERDIN and ASK who had the GUTS to stand up and ASK…..”Where are the BLACK citizens….!?!?!” Ask these two if they also know the GUY who stood UP to tell everyone HE actually INSTALLS …On-Shore Wind Turbines..!?!
And Nikki…you need to let EVERYONE know that you take out the TRASH and also realize that it is ENERGY….!!! Nikki ….do NOT tell US that you take funds for Waste Companies that raping our LAND with LANDFILLS …both private and public when in FACT that you know about Startech.net and http://www.qinetiq.com/home/markets/energy_environment/energy_from_waste.html#
*************
Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System for the US Army
The US Army’s introduction of the PyTEC Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System solution should provide a dramatic increase in sustainability and force protection.
– Lt Col Daryl “Rick” Harger, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems, part of Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS)
With military forces increasingly having to consider their environmental impact, QinetiQ has been awarded a £1.5 million, three year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to develop and deliver PyTEC™ – an ISO containerised Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System – to the US Army.
Able to operate 24/7 and process up to 100kg of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) per hour, the PyTEC system also reclaims up to 500 kW of the thermal energy from the waste per hour, a proportion of which will be used to sustain the process for electricity generation.
**********************
Nikki …..we are FED UP…..are YOU…!?!
Nikki…do NOT let a DEMOCRAT steal your thunder in one of these debates..!!!
These Dems have been in OFFICE how long and have done WHAT for OUR state’s METHANE SCAMMIN’ Landfills….!!!!!!
Nikki……..get BUSY…!!!
By sid on November 5th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
“Well, I just checked and I’m not over Lockerbie”
Your horribly dated reference doesn’t make sense. That plane was blown up, not hijacked.
By philip branton on November 5th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Sid…..
Just want to make sure citizens are THINKING……. I don’t want to be TRUSTED…I challenge citizens to VERIFY for themselves..!!
All Citizens DO HAVE trash…..
All Citizens DO HAVE electric bills…..
All citizens do HATE dumping on …fellow citizens
All citizen DO HATE being slaves with NO CHOICE to vote on..!?
All citizens do HATE elected SERVANTS who are served by Lobbyists…!?
ALL citizens would HATE that no newspaper in the state informs them of all their CHOICES…..
Wil Folks is the state of South Carolina’s “Matt DRUDGE”…..
…..and who will get the GLORY and politico FAME for reporting about “Monica’s Dress” being purchased with Methane Tapping SKIM ……..
W I L …FOLKS….!!!