“Pay To Say” Scandal?

A Clemson University (S.C.) political scientist is being accused of selling out his academic credentials to the highest bidder – according to a blog that itself shills for a variety of Palmetto State politicians.

James David “Dave” Woodard – who draws an $85,772 annual salary from the taxpayers of South Carolina – is nothing but “a scholar for sale … a quotable gun for hire” according to a prominent Palmetto political blog whose author incidentally receives his salary from a rival political consulting firm.

Nonetheless, from The Palmetto Scoop:

Time and time again, Woodard’s name pops up in news stories as a scholarly, objective analyst and observer of the political scene, with his opinions bolstered by Clemson’s prestigious brand. He will offer extravagant praise for some candidates and savage put downs for others.

And reputable news organizations — national and local reporters, both in print and broadcast media — continue to fall for his shtick. But he never discloses that he often has a financial relationship with the individuals he’s discussing. And as time goes by, he becomes more and more flagrant.

The Scoop story goes on to list several examples of Woodard’s bias on behalf of his clients, most of whom appear to be affiliated with veteran S.C. RINO political consultant J. Warren Tompkins.

Tompkins, FITS readers will recall, is the arch enemy of another S.C. RINO consultant, Richard Quinn – who employs the Palmetto Scoop’s author, Adam Fogle.

So yeah … this is basically another intramural spit ball fight between rival S.C. RINO factions, although the fact that a professor is selling his ostensibly “unbiased” academic opinion strikes us as an egregious ethical lapse.

Bottom line?  Clemson should terminate Woodard’s employment immediately – or require him to sever all of his political consulting contracts. In lieu of that, any news outlet that contacts this hack for his opinion should disclose whether or not Woodard is employed by any of the campaigns the paper is covering.

Because that does make a difference.

How do we know?  We’re on everybody’s payroll, remember?

Comments