Mulvaney Blasts Spratt For Obamacare Vote
S.C. Senator Mick Mulvaney wasted no time in unloading both barrels on U.S. Rep. John Spratt, who cast one of the deciding votes in favor of President Barack Obama’s socialized medicine proposal over the weekend.
“This bill represents the biggest expansion of government in history, it represents the biggest spending increase in history, it represents the biggest intrusion of government into our lives in history,” Mulvaney said. “There may have been a time when John Spratt would not have allowed this to happen without a fight. Those days are apparently gone. South Carolina, and our nation, are worse for it.”
Spratt was one of 219 Democrats who supported the proposal, which passed by a razor-thin 220-215 vote on Saturday. Thirty-nine democrats joined 176 Republicans in voting against the measure.
Spratt has not put out a statement since the vote. His office was not immediately available for comment Monday morning.
Prior to the vote, Spratt had offered conflicting, confusing statements regarding his position on the controversial legislation. He also appeared somewhat discombobulated when asked about the issue at several town hall meetings held in his district in September (click here and here for coverage of those events).
Mulvaney, a freshman State Senator from York County, S.C., announced his decision to challenge Spratt for the Fifth District Congressional seat on Nov. 2. It’s a seat the Democratic incumbent has held since 1983.
Speculation is rampant in Palmetto political circles regarding Spratt’s future, with many contending that the 67-year-old lawmaker will step down at the conclusion of his term.
In fact, Spratt’s vote in favor of Obamacare is already being interpreted in this context.
“John Spratt officially announced his resignation Saturday,” one Democratic operative told FITS.
Comments
By MulvaneyIsAJOKE on November 9th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Mick Mulvaney needs to stick to chasing ambulances up in Indianland and fooling people with his impressive one year legislative record. In case everyone forgets, the 5th Congressional district contains many of the rural poorest counties in the state, where unemployment is high and many lack healthcare. Has anyone thought that Spratt’s vote was representative of the majority of his constituents instead of just the small group on the NC state border. Give me a break.
By Spratt Country on November 9th, 2009 at 11:24 am
You must enjoy making quotes up from “Democratic operatives.” Not a Democrat in the state who doesn’t know John Spratt will win his next election!
By Kev on November 9th, 2009 at 11:40 am
I am writing my check to Mick today. Spratt can go to hell.
By Yorkie on November 9th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Jokester:
Mulvaney owns a restaurant…the ambulance chaser you are thinking of was his opponent in the last election…and he’s been in the legislature for three years, not one…nice work on your fact-checking, though.
And as to whether Spratt’s vote “was representative of the majority of his constituents,” why hasn’t he commented yet? Why did he refuse to stand on the podium with Pelosi while the “victory” is announced? Sounds to me that if this was such a great vote for his district he’d be crowing about it instead of hiding.
One way or the other, the old man is GONE.
By Fred Guy on November 9th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I agree with Mulvaneyisajoke. Mick JUST got sworn in to the SC Senate, but deserves a promotion to Congress??? One could make a good case for Spratt being out of touch, but those of us who KNOW Mulvaney can make a better case for why we don’t need to elect another young rich, self-serving Rebub to office (esp. this guy). We all regretted buying the snake oil from Thomas Ravenel. …and are still learning from the Sanford debacle.
…and don’t take Folks or Mulvaney’s word on how GREAT and AWESOME he is, LISTEN to what Mark Sanford has to say:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDM3AGA1qQc
http://ilboondoggle.blogspot.com/
Will: Thanks for allowing us to share.
Fred
By baker on November 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Not sure I understand all the issues with the healthcare and insurance industries or with this particular piece of legislation. But, clearly, there are needed changes. I’m all for the federal (and, for that matter, state) government trying to engage the system in positive change.
Mick Mulvaney is an awfully smart guy. My sense is that John Spratt has probably signed on to something that represents a step in the right direction….but, you know, I’m not one of those who gets totally freaked out by scary “big government.” As someone recently laid off from my job, however, I do find reason to be pretty freaked out by big insurance companies, their prices, and what they determine to be “pre-existing conditions.” Pretty scary, indeed.
But, again, it’s a huge and very complex issue. I’m confident that if Mulvaney wins, he won’t be a strident anti-government ideologue (in the Jim DeMint mold) — but, rather, a common-sense problem solver working to make things better for the people of his district and our state. Those are the kinds of folks we need in government, and I’m optimistic that Mulvaney, should he defeat John Spratt, fits the bill.
By sid on November 9th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
What did Spratt do before he was elected to Congress? Was he in the General Assembly, to get some legislative experience, or did he jump right into the fray with no experience as an elected official? If it is OK for Spratt to be elected with no experience, why does it seem to be a problem electing Mulvaney, who has actual hands-on experience at two levels of state government?
By Isaac Bickerstaff on November 9th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
John Spratt can kiss his ass goodbye, nobody would vote for the guy now. Sure he squeezed by Larry Bigham in 1994 after supporting Clinton’s zero deficit socialist package, but this isn’t 1994. Look at the millions and millions of people who came to Washington DC with Michelle Bachmann and the hordes of Americans watching Glenn Beck. This is America, people!! Let’s just hope we get a real conservative into this seat, not some RINO like Lindsay Graham.
By Cheraw Citizen on November 9th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Spratt’s done. Someone pass the proverbial fork.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 9th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Isaac. Delusional on the numbers of people who descended into Washington.
Spratt will get tons of votes, you just watch.
Always has.
He’s off his game bacause of his surgery, I think. He’s never been the type to perform well in front of a crowd. He does better one on one.
But when he’s in Congress, he’s usually the smartest guy in the room.
As for Muvaney’s experience, well, he’s had one YEAR in the State Senate. He’s a freshman Senator, and already looking to jump ship.
He had just one term in the state House of Representatives, and jumped ship for the Senate.
There will be a U.S. Senate race in two years right? Even if something really weird happens and Mulvaney wins, is he going to jump ship again?
I wasn’t around when Spratt was first elected, so I dunno who he ran against, but I’d rather have someone with experience in any regards.
Have that now with him in this race.
Mulvaney is a puppy. Has no real experience and has done nothing in the very short time he has been in either house of the General Assembly.
What Democratic operative, btw?
By Liberty For Me on November 9th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Its easy to say you are on the right side of things.You have to prove it.Walk the walk or shut up—–RON PAUL TONIGHT 7:00 Colesium—The one man in politics that always walks the walk..
By Isaac Bickerstaff on November 9th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Oh no,
I’m not real good with numbers and shit, but if Michelle Bachmann says a couple of million showed up and the liberals with the Capital police say it was fewer than a lady Gamecock basketball game, I’ll go with Bachmann. Her record speaks for itself.
I they hope they went and got Spratt, too.
By sid on November 9th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
So the experience thing is really not that big a deal. Spratt had none when he entered, while Mulvaney has some. If Spratt could figure it out, there’s no reason to believe Mulvaney cannot, especially considering he has an advantage over Spratt’s start in Congress. Besides, politicians seeking higher office is natural, and it is common for them to “jump ship” after very little time/seasoning at a lower post. Just look at Barry. Then again, that’s probably a poor example, since he seems to be in way over his head.
By Palmetto Elf on November 9th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Good on Spratt. SC has one of the worst states in overall health and insurance coverage. It is one of the poorest states and one of the ones with the highest unemployment (why oh why is health insurance tied to employment?). By voting for a package that extends healthcare, he is doing something that actually will benefit the citizens of SC. If you dont know healthcare needs reform, you probably never had to seriously use the healthcare system.
If he loses his seat over this, it would be a shame but definately something to be proud of.
By Bounce on November 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Spratt had all that banking experience including being a Bank president.
All that experience didn’t stop him from bouncing a bunch of checks in the House Bank scandal back in the day.
By Matt on November 9th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
If Mulvaney gets in then maybe we could get another real conservative like DeMint in our federal delegation. He would stand out among the rest of the House delegation. Hopefully he’ll take the “no earmark” pledge.
Frankly we deserve candidates like Mick Mulvaney running in the 4th district.
By CNSYD on November 9th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Carpetbagger Mulvaney is the joke. Sure, get elected and go to DC and show your ass like Demented or Paul. They accomplish nothing but producing media sound bites. BTW, a health care bill has not yet been signed into law. So if there will be one or if there is one, what it says is unknown.
By sid on November 9th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Carpetbaggers are northerners who move to the South, not southerners who move further south. If that term applies to anyone who was not born in SC, then Spratt is a carpetbagger.
By columbia insider on November 9th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Crosby, Nash, Stills, Young and Dumbass — you never disappoint. I enjoy your childish posts on FITS even more than your insipid 60’s acoustic rock. FITS was commenting on the bill Spratt voted for, dumbass. And Spratt should be judged on that vote, irrespective of what eventually ends up being passed (if anything). But hey, thanks for telling us no bill has passed yet. That was helpful. Dumbass.
By York County Native on November 9th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I’m pretty sure that John Spratt hasn’t lost a single county in the district since 1998 (if he has, it was probably Cherokee). There are plenty of doctrinarian conservatives in northern York County and in the pandhandle of Lancaster County, most of whom have moved here in the last decade. A lot of these folks drink the same anti-government cool-aid that Mark Sanford started chugging years ago. These people have always voted and they’ve never voted for Spratt. Yet, election after election, he either wins or essentially breaks even in York County. But even if we were to assume that these folks come out in droves next November, disproportionate to the rest fo the electorate, the math still works against Mulvaney. His whole “John Spratt is out of touch” anti-government rant isn’t going to get him anywhere in Marlboro, Dillon, Chesterfield, Chester, Fairfield, etc…because these people like John Spratt, they like what he does for them, they believe that he’s helped them in the past and they aren’t going to toss all of that away for some unknown quantity. Even in the portions of Sumter that are in the district, where you have a lot of ex-military folks who would normally vote for whoever the GOP nominee is in any given race, Spratt will run strong because those folks know that, but for Spratt’s efforts, Shaw AFB would have been history a decade ago. Those folks would build a statue to Spratt if they could. And they simply aren’t going dump Spratt because of cap and trade or healthcare or b/c they don’t like Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.
By CNSYD on November 9th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
columbia insider, since you G W Bush mental giants want to go prompt critical on everything being discussed in DC I felt it was my civic duty to inform you that there is no health care law that has been passed. Save all your fake angst for real events. And BTW, the article was a commercial for Mulvaney and only uses Spratt as the example of why FITS prefers Mulvaney. You dumb asses that killed the GOP need to wake up. Being on the outside only gets you that….the outside.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on November 9th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Spratt makes sense.
sic(k) willie and tricky-mickey make money on these wacko ramblings. Get a life boys. SC Citizens are waking up. They recognize your scams.
By A person that knows on November 9th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
You Spratt people are failing to realize that this is the first real opponent he has had since 94. This district wasn’t nearly as Republican in 94 either. Spratt is the incumbent, but he’ll have to put all his cards on the table to survive re-election.
By MulvaneyIsAJOKE on November 9th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
A Person That Knows,
You must not know too much to think that 94 was the last time that Congressman Spratt had a real opponent. What was Mr. Norman? Oh yea, he was the “handpicked” GOP opponent for Spratt that the National GOP convinced into running against Congressman Spratt this past election. The GOP soon bailed when they figured out what York County Native so eloquently stated. Spratt is unbeatable in the 5th district. His roots run deep throughout the district and he takes care of his own. Had it not been for Congressman Spratt’s representation, SC would be screwed in general. He protects our whole state and helps bring the “bacon” home to SC. Ask anyone local representative on the state, county, or municipal level who they go see when they are in DC. They don’t go to Demented or Barrett, they go see Congressman Spratt, so all this “hot air” being spread can just calm down, because RNC knows whatever one in the 5th District knows, if Spratt runs, Spratt wins. No question.
By OhNoNotAgain on November 10th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Dang, MulvaneyIsAJoke. Stole a lot of my points.
Most credible candidate since 1994? That was Larry Bigham wasn’t it? A restauranteur? Against an incumbent? Bigham is the only one who gave Spratt a run for his money, but he wasn’t as credible a candidate, at this point in the election cycle, as Norman was. I remember it well.
Mulvaney and Norman are, to my mind, the same candidate. Freshmen state legislators who have basically only have supporting Mark Sanford in their “accomplishments.”
Norman had DICK freaking Cheney come down here for him, as well as a host of other GOP national bigwigs, BEFORE the national committee bailed on him.
And Norman didn’t get out into the rest of the district. It is a BIG district.
Mulvaney, being from Lancaster, obviously puts one of the other counties in the Fifth District into play for the GOP. But if he spends his time in his home county or the decidely GOP counties in the district and doesn’t campaign EVERY DAY in the other counties, he is going to get his butt whooped.
Where did he announce, by the way? In GOP Cherokee County before he went to York then Lancaster counties. Does NOT bode well for him.
Lastly, Norman had Sanford endorsement to his credit.
Mulvaney won’t even be able to claim that now. Or won’t want to. He has supported Sanford more than he’s criticized him, so Sanford’s a liability, an albatross.
So no bones about it, Norman was the most credible candidate against Spratt in a long time, going in.
I remember being in Chesterfield County in 1994. When Bigham announced, even when he came by, it was like, “Who the heck is this?”
In ‘94, Spratt got 51, 52 percent of the vote, winning by 7,000. That’s a “close” race?
Just two years later, Spratt won by 15,000 votes, with 54 percent.
Bigham won Kershaw County, Sumter County and York County.
That might be the only time Spratt lost York. (State election commission won’t let you go past 1996 for results so I’m not sure.) But Norman didn’t even win York County.
Looking at the results in the 1996 race, it seems Bigham did OK then. But Spratt’s results, against a well-heeled, well-backed guy like Norman suggest Spratt is MORE popular in the district now.
Spratt won only one county in 1996 by more than 70 percent, Marlboro.
He won three counties in the district by more than 70 against Norman and won a fourth, Marlboro again, by more than 80 percent.
That’s a four-to-one drubbing, boys.
I get that the folk in York County are angry. I get it. But York County ain’t the district.
By Yorkie on November 10th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Mulvaney announced in York, Lancaster, Florence, Kershaw, Lancaster (again), Newberry, Cherokee, Chester, York (again), Kershaw, Sumter, Dillion, Chesterfield, York (again), Darlington and Sumter (again).
That list doesn’t include Charlotte, Spartanburg or Columbia for TV and radio.
That was the first week.
So…what was your point again?
By Mud Cat on November 10th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I love all the “knowledge” being spewed about on this post by the commenters. I live in the 5th – and NOT IN YORK OR CHEROKEE – but in a mostly Democratic county, and have voted for Spratt in the past. I follow politics closely and something to keep in mind is that Mulvaney will be the best competition that Spratt has had since he was elected. The other thing is that the rank and file independent voter is sick of Washington and incumbents. Mulvaney, or for that matter any smart fiscally responsible candidate, has a very good chance against Spratt this time around. You hear it in the coffee shops and at the high school football games. The general feeling is that former independent minded Spratt has literally sold out. While everyone believes that there needs to be changes to Healthcare, no one trusts the House Bill because it was pushed thru too fast and for political purposes.
Don’t compare Mulvaney to Norman or Bigham. They are not in the same league when it comes to brainpower. Spratt better watch out because this election will be just like in Virginia or New Jersey. It’s all about the independents who can’t understand how a trillion plus dollar federal plan won’t cost the taxpayers a boatload down the road.
I’m sick of the lies from Republican and Democrats. What I have seen from Mulvaney is that he honest and votes his convictions. I just hope he will listen to the constituents better than Spratt did.
I’ll bet FITS is right – Spratt won’t seek reelection.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 10th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Mulvaney announced in York, Lancaster, Florence, Kershaw, Lancaster (again), Newberry, Cherokee, Chester, York (again), Kershaw, Sumter, Dillion, Chesterfield, York (again), Darlington and Sumter (again).
Sorry. Missed all that. Didn’t make much of a splash in some of the smaller counties. All I saw was a pic of Cherokee County courthouse and a story in the Lancaster and Rock Hill papers.
Point was, and is, he needs to get out into the district constantly.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 10th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
You hear it in the coffee shops and at the high school football games. The general feeling is that former independent minded Spratt has literally sold out.
I don’t hear it in any coffee shops I go to. And I’m sorry, the only talk I hear about is, “Who?”
Since I live in York County, I know who. But it’s hard when I answer “Who” to answer the “what” that follows.
The Fifth District, outside York, Cherokee and Kershaw, is made up of hardcore Democrats who vote.
Did you miss that he got 82 percent of the vote against Norman? During a war, when the war Vice President was coming to the district to campaign for him.
I don’t see where all these independents or “independent-minded” voters are.
By Kapacamary on November 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I can’t wait for the 2010 elections. If Obama and his minions continue on their current path, those of us who are members of the “less is more” party, will see a drastic change in who controls the purse strings of our government and our lives.
Obama has put us into history making debt. While Bush was not perfect, the Democrats taking over control of Congress, coupled with Obama’s election victory is, at this time, the worst thing I have seen happen in recent years.
Our country is at a crossroads. Our future is in the hands of those who truly believe that they should have control of our jobs, our health, our banking systems, our pocketbooks and now Obama is subtly seeking control of the global financial system. Not US control, HIS control. The man is a puppet of the likes of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.
While Obama is a good motivational speaker, we should have put him in the pulpit, not in the oval office.
As the bumper stickers say, “Don’t blame me. I didn’t vote for him”.
By Fred Guy on November 10th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Don’t forget that it looks like Sheheen will be on the same ballot in the Gov’s race, which will benefit Spratt big-time in Kershaw and Chesterfield Counties.
It won’t be a MAJOR factor, but will be a factor if this thing is close.
By Fred Guy on November 10th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
…and I’m with “OhNoNotAgain”. Every election cycle, everyone OUTSIDE of Spratt’s district decides what a bad Rep. he is and predicts his quick and easy demise. Unfortunately, inside his District lines, poeple are pretty satisfied and comfortable with Spratt.
Hell, I think that Clyburn is a shithead who needs to be run out of office, but obviously I don’t vote there and have limited input.
Spratt will be reelected. We enjoy having the Chair of the budget Committee on OUR side.
Y’all can have your hell-raising uber-conservative Demints and Sanfords and we will keep our Budget Chairman John Spratt.
Fred
By OnNoNotAgain on November 11th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I’m not switching sides here. But I’m not happy with what Spratt is doing here. He’s been preaching fiscal restraint during the Bush years, and since the Dems got control of the house and he the budget committee, he hasn’t practiced it.
But I am not looking at just the past two and a half years. He was a big reason we ended the Clinton years with a mild surplus AND money just sitting in the treasury to be spent, by Bush, on a tax rebate.
I also think Spratt could be beat. Not handily. But the people venting here have no clue. If they live in the district, they are just York County whiners who think the rest of the district is “just like them.”
It is SO different.
Mulvaney might give Spratt a run for his money in York and Cherokee and Kershaw. But there aren’t enough votes in those counties to overcome the rest of the district’s strong lean.
I think the point above about Vince Sheheen, if he is on the ticket for Gov, is VERY important.
Chesterfield County is strong for Spratt and almost as strong for Democrats.
Kershaw is going to do the native son thing. It will trickle down.
The tricky thing is that things like that don’t often work in the Fifth.
In 2006, Norman had a not-yet disgraced Sanford on his side, Dick Cheney and a BUNCH of other high-powered Washington types coming in for him and it didn’t work.
Spratt has almost always gone it on his own and won. That’s another signficant thing.
I will enjoy listening to the GOP monkeys rattlin’ their cages about the Fifth District though.Show me evidence that there’s a real strategy to cover the whole district by MM, and maybe.
I am corrected about his announcements. he did get around.
But I also note that he didn’t do a good job of getting media on those events, because I only read/heard/saw anyting about two of them — Cherokee and Lancaster.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 11th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
BTW, Fits. Notice that there was an article in The Herald of Rock Hill, Spratt defends healthcare vote.
He sounded quite feisty in that article. Not at all like he was going to resign/retire. Sounded like he was running.