Shakeup For Team Barrett
U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett’s South Carolina gubernatorial campaign has lost its principal consultant.
In fact, the Charleston, S.C.-based firm of Jim Dyke and Associates has been off of the Barrett payroll since late September, multiple sources have confirmed to FITS.
It’s unknown what motivated the split, although the timing coincides rather nicely with a revealing Barrett-related visit to Washington, D.C. made by our founding editor.
Sources close to Barrett’s campaign angrily rebuked the assertion that Dyke’s departure had anything to do with Sic Willie’s infamous September visit to Capitol Hill – and the rampant rumors it sparked regarding Barrett’s personal life.
“These false and defamatory allegations of marital infidelity by the Congressman played absolutely no role whatsoever in what an amicable professional agreement to part ways,” one source told FITS.
Nonetheless, Barrett mysteriously resigned from his position on the U.S. House Ethics Commission less than a week Sic’s visit.
Neither Dyke nor any member of his firm were immediately available for comment, although sources familiar with the split say it was amicable and unrelated to rumors of Barrett’s infidelity.
Barrett has publicly denied ever cheating on his wife.
Dyke, a former RNC spokesman and veteran of numerous national campaigns, had been serving for several months as the primary consultant and lead spokesman for Barrett’s gubernatorial bid.
With his departure, the brain trust around Barrett (such as it is) consists of former SCGOP executive director Luke Byars, communications staffer B.J. Boling and consultant Heath Thomson, formerly of the firm of Tompkins, Thomson and Sullivan.
But who’s ultimately calling the shots for Barrett’s campaign?
As has been widely rumored, sources tell FITS that it’s none other than liberal lobbyist J. Warren Tompkins.
Comments
By Sam on December 16th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Luke Byars? He left Demint?
Byars is an idiot from way back.
By Sicster on December 16th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Sic-
Did you go to public schools in SC? If so, they didn’t teach how to connect the dots. You make some stupid comments and the funny thing is none of them go together.
Why don’t you go back to breaking real news stories. I’m sure if you followed the Governor or Mrs. Haley around you’d find a good story or 2.
By barney fife on December 16th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Hiring Luke Byars was a great move. He is a smart politician. Heath Thompson is a moron. If he hadn’t been involved with the Peeler Campaign in ‘02, Bob probably would have won.
By Carl on December 16th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Let’s make one thing clear from the get go—there will be much more on the ‘Barrett has a Sanford problem’.
Secondly, Byars is an absolute tool.
Then throw the Tompkins crew in there and you’ve got three strikes and Barrett is out!!!!
By Freddie Guy on December 16th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Goddamn. Are all of you really running that scared over Barrett’s candidacy? You come up with all of this stupid accusation, insinuations and revelations regarding this guy and everyone who is supposedly connected with him?
Tell us all: Is Nicky’s fund raising REALLY that bad this quarter???
Fred
By Mike Honcho on December 16th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Man, you really believe this stuff don’t you?
Like I should be your editor, but: “Nonetheless, Barrett mysteriously resigned from his position on the U.S. House Ethics Commission less than a week Sic’s visit.”
Aside from the obvious of referring to yourself in the third person (with a nickname that has yet to stick), you’re missing a word.
Have you cheated on your wife Schtick Willie?
By Philip branton on December 16th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Shake UP…~~~…~~~ ????
Is this NOT like dreaming of Margaritaville and realizing your SHAKER has no salt..!?!
Does Gresham KNOW… “Its the ENERGY…Stupid?”
How can one distinguish themselves when they SOUND, ACT, and campaign like everyone else…!?!?
Gresham….do you know that ARAB Soil is being better protected than our OWN South Carolina SOIL..!?! Are you going to inform citizens across OUR state that LANDFILLS can be closed down with NEW Technology…!?!
Citizens can learn for themselves here…
http://www.qinetiq.com/home/markets/energy_environment/energy_from_waste.html
or heck they can read here on the BBC…..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8290130.stm
Gresham …….just exactly what …are you campaigning ON..??
I do NOT see specific SOLUTIONS on your website that would benefit ALL citizens…~?~?
Gresham ….get busy..!?
By Toyota Kawaski on December 17th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Yes darling Nikki we will lob all pop shots. Really 4Th place is not bad don’t worry.
By WorkingTommyC on December 17th, 2009 at 9:22 am
The only candidate getting positive national coverage so far seems to be Nikki Haley.
Do not underestimate her momentum.
By Carl on December 17th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Why is Nikki Haley being brought into this conversation? Is the Barrett campaign that scared they attack even when she has nothing to do with a post?
We have some real winners here in SC as far as political operatives.
By Freddie on December 17th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Carl:
I appreciate the feedback, but I have read this “news” source long enough to know the reasoning behind the Barret rants. It ain’t got nothing to do with Barrett.
Here is another that was posted today:
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/12/17/barrett-has-worst-voting-record-in-america/
He would be writing this about Darling Nickki’s transparency bill, but has regurgitated that story 8 times. …and she’s done nothing else to note.
Fred
By Thomas J. W. on December 17th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
First of all, if everyone wasn’t so threatened by Barrett’s run for gov, he wouldn’t be getting attacked non-stop. Nikki Haley hasn’t a chance in hell, and that’s why she’s never in the press. It’s all about the money and she doesn’t have it nor can she raise it… As for Luke Byars, that was a very smart move by the Barrett team. He knows what he’s doing and everyone knows that. FITS- stop posting so many articles bashing Barrett simply because you are angry that your buddy Nikki doesn’t have a chance.
By Carl on December 17th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Wow, you guys are really paranoid. Nikki Haley not in the press? Are you living under a rock. She has had more publicity by real conservatives in the state and more so across the nation. Commenting on such and accusing “set up” posts is absolute parnoia. More SC backwoods politics that makes me rethink my gubenatorial vote. Those of us on the fence are not impressed by the negativity and slander some of the camps spew. You must not have anything impressive to promote about your candidate.