The Palmetto Power 100 (Updating)

When we first published the “Palmetto Power 100″ list two years ago, we had no idea that it would so quickly evolve into one of the most important, influential things we do here at FITS.

Forget all the legislative scorecards and awards put out by various special interest groups, our list has quickly become the definitive “Who’s Who” of political power in South Carolina. Seriously … nobody cares about a plaque the friggin’ Nurse Anesthetists Association gave you, they care about your FITS rank …

There’s a reason for that, too … we actually try our best to (grrrr) set aside preferred ideologies (and personal allegiances) to “give the devils their due,” meaning we rank people according to their actual power, not the level of influence we would ascribe to them if it were actually up to us.

Typically released toward the end of August (once the dust has settled from the state’s six month legislative session), we decided to postpone the release of this year’s list due to the unresolved scandals surrounding S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford – a six-month soap opera which ended up having a profound impact on the state’s political landscape and, as a result, these rankings.

Clearly Sanford’s fall has been a huge blow to the reform movement, and as a result South Carolina’s “legislative tyranny” (as it has been dubbed by State Sen. Tom Davis – #18) – is more powerful this year than it ever has been.  Sadly, that means the self-serving legislative leaders who dictate South Carolina’s direction (and their preferred special interests) are more influential than usual. Not only has Sanford forfeited most – if not all – of his fiscal conservative credibility on the Maria Belen Chapur scandal, his desire to “walk humbly” in the legislative arena moving forward only compounds his lame duck status.

Obviously, that’s not to say that this year’s list is exclusively a referendum on Sanford’s implosion, as it contains meteoric rises and spectacular falls that have nothing whatsoever to do with the governor’s affinity for tan lines and the inner recesses of his Latin lover’s soul.

Bridget Keeney, anyone?

A total of twenty people fell off the list, for crying out loud (including Keeney’s alter ego, Kristin Maguire) … meaning, if our math is correct, that there are twenty new faces, too.

Oh, and this year, to stir the pot even more, we’ve added a list that would-be Palmetto powerbrokers don’t want to end up on … the “dishonorable mentions.”

Finally, a quick caveat … all the names on this list are people who are currently active in state politics, which is why Time magazine’s Socialist of the  … err … Man of the Year Ben Bernanke (an S.C. native) is not included.

Now … without further adieu, the envelopes, please …

THE PALMETTO POWER 100 (2009 Edition)

1. Hugh Leatherman – Senate Finance Chairman (RINO – Florence)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 1
Change Agent: NOT ON YOUR LIFE

This marks the third year that South Carolina’s “Godfather of Pork” (a.k.a. “Little Digger,” “Huge Government,” “King RINO”) has ranked either first or second on our list – and deservedly so. Leatherman’s power over the state’s purse strings is as enduring as it is legendary, and Gov. Mark Sanford’s fall from grace (and eroded fiscal conservative credibility) has positioned this diminutive socialist to wield even greater influence over the state budget moving forward.  After all, Sanford -the man with the state’s biggest bully pulpit – has basically abdicated it to pursue a “spirit of humility” in 2010, which means Leatherman gets to ride roughshod over South Carolina’s finances like never before (assuming nobody steps up to challenge him). Also, with revenues plummeting and federal “stimulus” money set to run out midway through the coming fiscal year, competition for taxpayer dollars will be fiercer than ever before.  Accordingly, expect the line outside Leatherman’s door to stretch for miles as supplicant lobbyists from state agencies and entrenched special interests vie for his favor. Assuming his health holds up (the “Little Digger” is pushing 80), this spot is and will remain his for as long as he wants it.  Finally, his oft-credited involvement with the big Boeing economic development deal didn’t hurt his position, either.

2. Glenn McConnell – Senate President Pro Tempore (RINO – Charleston)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 4
Change Agent: NEGATIVE, GHOST RIDER

A year ago, the jury was still out on whether or not McConnell was a true fiscal conservative.  This year, the verdict is in – he’s not. Not even a little bit. A master of parliamentary misdirection and public manipulation, McConnell successfully led reformers on a wild goose chase for the better part of the decade. In the process, he managed to convince just enough outsiders that he was a real reformer (and obviously more than enough insiders that he isn’t). Of course, for his continued betrayal of the conservative cause, his reward has been great in Importantville, S.C. Not only does he get to indulge his phallic obsession – the H.L. Hunley – to the tune of millions of taxpayer dollars, but he’s on the verge of creating his own legislative police force, too (dead or alive, there’s apparently something this Confederate re-enactor can’t resist about a man in uniform).

3. Jim Clyburn – Majority Whip, U.S. Congress (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 3
Change Agent: NEVER

When he’s not sending pork to the wrong state, U.S. Rep. James “Pimp Hand” Clyburn is busy keeping the troops in line for U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi – which was a Herculean task this year given the public uprising that ensued over the socialist policies of U.S. President Barack Obama and his Congressional allies. Of course, as the representative of  South Carolina’s only “minority majority” district, Clyburn is immune from electoral repercussions of any sort – which means he can keep on “poverty pimpin’” (in his Cosby sweaters) with impunity. Already a big fish in the biggest pond, Clyburn’s influence was only enhanced this year when his daughter, (filet) Mignon, was named to the Federal Communications Commission (hello telecomm influence!).  Of course, Obama’s blunted momentum and increasing unpopularity threaten Pimp’s perch in our nation’s capital, but for now he remains the Palmetto State’s most influential D.C. leader.

4. Gilda Cobb Hunter – Default Speaker of the House (D – Orangeburg)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 2
Change Agent: NOPE

With every additional dime of federal money that flows into the state budget, Gilda Cobb-Hunter’s power grows.  Already the default Speaker of the S.C. House of Representatives (what – you thought Republicans controlled that chamber?), Cobb-Hunter’s mastery of matching funds and unrivaled federal connections put her in a position to dictate funding in this state better than any politician save for the “Godfather of Pork” himself. This year, an unprecedented $7.8 billion of the state’s $20.1 billion budget is coming from Washington – a record percentage that will only increase this coming year as state revenues continue to plummet. That translates into expanded influence for Cobb-Hunter, who is hands-down the best LBJ-style schmoozer state government has ever seen. Like we said last year, whatever Gilda wants, Gilda gets …

5. Jim DeMint – U.S. Senator (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 10
Change Agent: YES

We fully understand the arguments to be made against Jim DeMint … he’s “fringe,” he won’t “reach across the aisle,” he doesn’t know how to “get things done.” You know what? Screw all that …. seriously, when was the last time Washington D.C. came up with an idea to “do something” that didn’t result in taxpayers taking it squarely up the yin-yang? Exactly. Loathed by insiders both in D.C. and here at home, Jim DeMint is nonetheless the most popular politician in South Carolina right now – a guy who has unified the GOP base behind him as well as attracted independent voters in droves. Boasting an unimpeachable fiscal conservative record, DeMint is ideally positioned to ride a wave of voter angst with the status quo in 2010 and beyond. Naturally, we have some concerns about his proximity to RINO consultant Warren Tompkins, but for now DeMint is one of the very few politicians in South Carolina (Tom Davis is another) who is actually walking the walk rather than paying lip service to what the GOP used to stand for. Also, for those who claim DeMint is the politician of “No,” last time we checked it was career politicians in D.C. who were saying “No” to DeMint’s term limits proposal.

6. Richard Quinn, Sr. – Political Consultant (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 5%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 13
Change Agent: NYET!

The leader of one of two “evil empires” that are on the rise in South Carolina, Richard Quinn, Sr. is the reason Mark Sanford is still governor right now.  By calling off his Attorney General, his legislative pit bulls and other key players under his command at critical moments during the impeachment drama, Quinn let Sanford up off the mat, enabling him to rally from the brink of resignation and hang onto power. Also, when the noise had simmered down and it was time to finally “investigate” the governor formally, Quinn stage-managed the Sanford impeachment “hearings” in the House down to the last vote … err, detail. Why did he do all of this?  Easy … Quinn covets the bully pulpit, appointment power and fund raising potential of the governor’s office – and he wasn’t about to let anyone prematurely usurp it from his “anointed one,” Henry McMaster. Anyway, with a political stable that includes the House Speaker, Senate President, GOP Majority Leader, a U.S. Senator and dozens of other elected officials and powerful special interests, the “Quinndom” is easily the state’s preeminent political machine – and Quinn is using that access and influence to dip his fingers into as many taxpayer-funded pies as possible.

7. Warren Tompkins – Political Consultant/ Lobbyist (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 31
Change Agent: NEIN!

There’s only supposed to be one “Dark Side” in any given political drama, but here in the Palmetto State we’ve been cursed with two of them.  No wonder our state ranks last in everything good and first in everything bad! On the ropes a year ago, the RINO empire of J. Warren Tompkins is back with a vengeance this year – another beneficiary of the fall of Mark Sanford and the temporary derailment of the reform movement in South Carolina.  Once a unique combination of lobbying and political consulting power, today the “Tompkins model” is being followed by other aspiring power brokers eager to play both Kingmaker – and King – of the S.C. political world.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we suppose, although in Tompkins case it perpetuates a failed system and the narrow set of special interests that are driving that failure. Seriously, no corrupt S.C. politico is more “toxic” than Tompkins.

8. Bobby Harrell – Speaker of the House (RINO – Charleston)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 9
Change Agent: NO SIR

We say this every year, but the fact that Bobby Harrell is not ranked No. 1 on our list (every year) is a testament to his failed leadership.  He holds the most powerful office in the state (from a titular standpoint, anyway) and yet each year it’s always a major question mark as to whether or not he’ll even crack the Top Ten. A lot of folks say this “snub” stems from our disdain for the Speaker, but those who know better … well, they know better. Harrell’s problem – as always – stems from the fact that he owes his leadership position to an unsustainable coalition (that likes to spend unsustainably).  You just can’t perpetually owe the Democratic caucus and expect to govern effectively as a Republican. Anyway, while Harrell’s influence technically expands as a result of Sanford’s fall, the impeachment drama once again showcased how events drive Harrell rather than the other way around. Specifically, the way Harrell shut down calls for resignation among his members – only so he could turn around and jump in front of the train – rubbed House Republicans of all ideological bents the wrong way. There is also rampant speculation about what skeletons in his closet may have compelled him to play a six-month game of “impeachment footsie” with his once mortal enemy, the governor.

9. John Land – Senate Minority Leader (D – Calhoun)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT

One of the major omissions from last year’s list (yes, we make mistakes), Land’s power is derived from GOP division, incompetence and chaos – but in his case it’s also the result of an “under the radar” approach to governing that most Palmetto politicos are far too egotistical to even contemplate, let alone pull off.  It’s not that Land doesn’t have an ego, mind you (he’s a friggin’ trial lawyer who we’re pretty sure gets off on the sound of his own voice, people), it’s that he doesn’t particularly care about being the “Mayor of Importantville”… at least not while the TV cameras are running. Land cares about one thing – getting what he wants, which the RINOs currently running the Senate GOP Caucus are invariably inclined to give him in order to preserve their “governing majority.” Like Gilda-Cobb Hunter in the S.C. House, Land has successfully divided and conquered his “frenemy” in the Senate.  He’s also got seniority on every other member of the chamber, which still counts for something in the state’s (cough) “deliberative” body.

10. Danny Cooper – House Ways & Means Chairman (RINO – Anderson)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 7
Change Agent: NO

For years, we thought Danny Cooper was nothing but a corrupt, redneck knuckle dragger (with an “Egg-tooth”) from the Land That Time Forgot who was merely doing House Speaker Bobby Harrell’s bidding on the state budget. Now we come to learn he’s a corrupt redneck knuckle dragger (with an “Egg-tooth”) from the Land That Time Forgot who is doing the Democrats’ bidding on the budget. Good to get that cleared up …

11. Lindsey Graham – U.S. Senator (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 20%
Stock: Slipping
Last Year: 6
Change Agent: NO

Already loathed by a huge swath of the GOP base for his controversial support of amnesty for illegal aliens (a.k.a. “Grahamnesty”), the Palmetto State’s “Senior Senator” has stepped in it again.  This time, though, his support for “Cap and Trade” – a massive energy tax and one of the cornerstones of President Barack Obama’s socialist agenda – is costing him with South Carolina independents, too. We get that Lindsey “has a seat at the table” in Washington and that he allegedly “gets things done” for our state, but again … what good is that when “getting things done” results in a bunch of government pork that’s flowing predominantly to unnecessary, inefficient bureaucracies? Seriously, people … the federal “stimulus” has dumped billions of dollars onto our state’s backwards, backwoods government agencies and yet things are worse now than ever.  Graham has a seat at the table, alright, but the guy sitting at the head of that table is a socialist – sort of like the people paying for all those pro-Graham TV ads. Also, the last time we checked, South Carolina had two U.S. Senators with “seats at the table” for over a half century and our state remains every bit as colossally screwed up today as it was half a century ago. So yeah … try another argument.

12. Richard Davis – Lobbyist (Liberal)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 16
Change Agent: ONLY IF THE CHANGE IS BAD

This former Democratic Congressional aide continues to rank as one of the State House’s most successful lobbyists due to his proximity to the “top dog” on our list, Senate finance chairman Hugh Leatherman. And as long as the “midget socialist” continues to draw breath, Richard will continue to rake in the big, sweet dollars from dozens of entrenched special interests – and remain a fixture in our top fifteen. Also, as he does every year, our founding editor would like to thank him for keeping the State House lobby well-stocked with attractive “State House bunnies.”

13. Harvey Peeler – Senate Majority Leader (RINO – Cherokee)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 15%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 19
Change Agent: ONCE IN A BLUE MOON

In addition to his powerful Senate Majority Leader perch (i.e. beaucoup campaign influence), Peeler is perceived as being a swing vote between the RINOs and common sense conservatives (a.k.a. “Back Row Boys”) in the Senate GOP Caucus. There’s just one problem with that perception – Peeler almost never votes with the conservatives. In fact, he’s basically become McConnell and Leatherman’s bitch at the State House, fetching when they say ‘fetch’ and sitting when they say ’sit.’ Of course that’s not the reason for the hound picture – as this is most definitely a different sort of animal we’re talking about. As State House observers can attest, though, unless the “fox” being pursued is more than a little bit red (and had more than a little “too much”) … “that dog don’t hunt.”

14. John Spratt – U.S. Representative (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising … for now
Last Year: 32
Change Agent: “OBAMA” CHANGE

As his career winds down, U.S. Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt finds himself at the apex of his political power, although the lingering question is whether or not he cooked his own goose in an effort to stay on the D.C. mountaintop.  Against the will of his constituents (and reportedly his own political instincts) Spratt has voted for socialized medicine, for the “cap and trade” energy tax and for all of the Obama bailouts. Those votes have created real problems for him in the Fifth Congressional District (which was carried by McCain a year ago), and Sen. Mick Mulvaney represents a much tougher challenge than Spratt faced in 2006. Insiders in Washington and Columbia insist that Spratt will coast to a fifteenth term, but we’ve seen polling that indicates the opposite is true. Also, a major question is whether or not bringing home government pork (i.e. attempting to buy reelection) is still a winnable strategy for this veteran tax and spender. For the moment, though, he’s livin’ large in “The One’s” Washington.

15. Henry McMaster – S.C. Attorney General (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 30%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 15
Change Agent: NO

Yes, that’s a box of rocks, people.  And yes, that box of rocks is infinitely smarter than would-be “Gubnah” Henry McMaster. Still, he’s the GOP front-runner for the state’s highest elected office … despite the fact that he can’t even pronounce the office properly, and despite the fact that he still belongs to a bunch of “whites only” social clubs (wonder how that will go over in a general election). A 19th century politician trapped in a 21st Century world, McMaster represents everything that holds this state back – an intellectually incurious glad-hander whose strings are pulled by a bunch of special interest-fed consultants. After leaving the SCGOP flat broke and busted when he served as its Chairman, McMaster has been an embarrassment as Attorney General – blowing a high-profile sex case, waging a disastrous campaign against Craigslist and most recently passing the buck on his responsibilities in the Sanford scandal not once, but twice. Oh well, the good news is that Henry is literally too dumb to realize that his power has reached its high point …

16. Reggie Lloyd – SLED Chief

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 17
Change Agent: YES

Reggie Lloyd knows where the bodies are buried, people … and not all of them are figurative bodies, either (from what we’ve been told). Kidding, kidding … at least we think we’re kidding.  After being put in several untenable positions this summer (first by Mark Sanford’s penis and then by Henry McMaster’s political gamesmanship), South Carolina’s soft-spoken SLED Chief eventually rediscovered his groove on the other side of all the drama – but not before learning the hard way that you don’t pick a fight with the Fourth Estate. Also, Lloyd now knows that anybody and everybody in Importantville, S.C. (even your so-called allies) will throw you under the bus at a moment’s notice, meaning the political education of South Carolina’s “top cop” is nearly complete.  If Lloyd can seize upon the right ideology and message, his potential is to change this state for the better is limitless …

17. Harry Cato – Speaker Pro Tempore (RINO – Lexington … err, Greenville)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Slipping
Last Year: 11
Change Agent: NO

Sure, Cato is the “Speaker in waiting,” but future power isn’t the same as power in hand – and Cato gave up a lot of the latter when he relinquished his position as Chairman of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry (LCI) Committee to take his seat behind Bobby Harrell on the “Special Olympics medal stand.” Nonetheless, he’s got the Democratic Caucus squarely in his hip pocket whenever he feels the time is right to make his move, and if a handful of “GOP” votes shift to Cato’s side of the ledger, then Harrell’s ouster as Speaker could come sooner rather than later.  Sadly, though, nothing will change even if there is a “Cato coup.” That’s because this lawyer’s wife is nothing but a “lip service” RINO who’s in bed (some say literally, at times) with all the same old special interests that have been holding this state back for decades. In addition to the persistent State House gossip concerning “Old Yaller’s” amorous proclivities, there’s also the issue of whether or  not Cato actually lives in the district he purports to represent …

18. Tom Davis – State Senator (R-Beaufort)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 20
Change Agent: YES

There is no reason … absolutely no reason … that Tom Davis should have survived the dramatic, protracted political implosion of his longtime friend, former boss and ideological ally, Mark Sanford. This is particularly true seeing how Sanford’s bizarre, tear-soaked confessional contained multiple references to Davis by name (i.e. letting down “the Tom Davises of the world”). Somehow, though, Davis navigated the minefield and stuck the landing on the other side of the alligator pit – much to the chagrin of a Columbia political establishment that was hoping he would trip and fall in. Amazingly, Davis is more popular in his Lowcountry district now than ever before, and his focus on substantive, fiscally conservative policy (like the alternative budget he proposed last legislative session) has made him the heir apparent of the reform movement that Sanford so recklessly abandoned.

19.  Jenny Sanford – First Lady (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Soaring
Last Year: 63
Change Agent: YES

It goes without saying that no one was more deeply betrayed (or humiliated) by Mark Sanford’s scandals this year than his wife, First Lady Jenny Sanford … which is why it’s somewhat poetic that no one has emerged from the mess smelling any sweeter than she has. Jenny didn’t stand by her man, and when it became clear that he wasn’t interested in reconciling, she moved out of the house and took the kids with her. In the process, she became a hero to women across the country and one of the most popular public figures in the state.  The architect of Sanford’s political career, Jenny says she has no political ambitions of her own, but her endorsement of Nikki Haley in the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary makes it clear that she’s not exiting the stage just yet. This “Old Testament Woman With a 170 IQ” has plenty of political capital (and actual capital) to spend, and when it comes to political operatives, we have yet to meet one any smarter or shrewder than her.

20. Mark Sanford – The “Luv Guv” (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 90%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: 12
Change Agent: ONCE UPON A TIME

Where do we begin with this guy? It’s seriously enough to make you cry (if you’re narcissistic and a lot of TV cameras are nearby). There was a wave building … a towering, powerful wave of voter angst and frustration with America’s full-on march toward unsustainable socialism. It was literally sweeping across the country, a rising tide visible in town hall meetings and tea party rallies from coast to coast. People were (and are) mad as hell, and they weren’t (and aren’t) going to take it anymore. Yeah … and were it not for his wayward penis (and its fondness for Argentine tan lines), Mark Sanford would be riding that wave right now. Instead, he’s just the latest (and greatest) embarrassment for a state that desperately, desperately (desperately) needed him to succeed. It wasn’t just the shocking crash that was so disappointing, either, it was the uncharacteristic (or so we thought) selfishness and hypocrisy that accompanied it. Mark Sanford’s personal failings can be certainly excused … but his utter failure to take responsibility for those shortcomings and the naked political self-preservation he displayed (at the expense of his ideological beliefs and allies) was inexcusable.

21. Fred Allen – Lobbyist

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #87
Change Agent: SOMETIMES

Fred Allen has always been a major State House player with some of South Carolina’s most influential corporations, but lately he’s been taking full advantage of the gubernatorial preoccupation of two of the state’s top lobbyists, J. Warren Tompkins and Larry Marchant – both of whom are running competing 2010 campaigns.  And let’s not forget liberal lobbyist Dwight Drake, who is running for governor himself. All that focus on the campaign trail has created a real power vacuum at the State House, and Fred Allen is the man who (more than anyone else) is filling it …

22. Jim Davenport – Reporter, Associated Press

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 22
Change Agent: YES

Two letters: AP. Unlike the rest of the capital press corps, when Davenport breaks a story it’s guaranteed to find a statewide audience in print, on the radio and in the teleprompters of local TV anchors. The same can’t be said for the rest of the capital press corps, which relies on the AP to pick up its stories for statewide distribution. And while Davenport indeed got scooped by The State newspaper on the original Sanford scandal this summer, he more than made up the ground he lost in the weeks that followed with a series of hard-hitting investigative reports that served as the basis for the majority of impeachment charges that were brought against the governor. All this with a “hostile witness,” so to speak. So yeah … until Sic Willie finds himself one of those “wire” thingies (he’s looking for one … hard), Davenport remains the most influential member of the S.C. Fourth Estate.

23. Richard Eckstrom – Comptroller General (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 35
Change Agent: YES

It was another big year for Richard Eckstrom, who continues to carve out a nice fiscal conservative niche for himself in a state full of backwards, banana Republicans … err RINOs. Already possessing plenty of juice as a member of the S.C. Budget and Control Board, Eckstrom’s push for more transparency as it relates to state and local government spending (and more recently, transparency with respect to the federal “stimulus” funds) has given him a real platform to preach the fiscal conservative gospel. More than any other Republican, Eckstrom has picked up the flag that Gov. Mark Sanford dropped in 2009 … and run with it.

24. Converse Chellis – State Treasurer (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 37
Change Agent: ONLY IN ELECTION YEARS

We’re still amazed that an inanimate object hasn’t presented itself as a formidable challenger to Chellis, who has to be the most vulnerable of any GOP statewide official in South Carolina. With his ridiculous taxpayer-funded “Future Scholar” commercials and his $9 million bailouts for private tourist attractions, Chellis is as RINO as they come – and for the last two years he’s served as a rubber stamp for big government backers Hugh Leatherman and Danny Cooper on the S.C. Budget & Control Board. Lately, however, Chellis has been moving to the right on a number of different issues in the hopes of staving off a GOP primary challenge. We don’t expect that trend to last any longer than this coming June (when Republicans select their nominees for the November elections), but we’ll see …

25. Bill Gillespie – State (Keynesian) Economist

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 24
Change Agent: NO

In Bill Gillespie’s world, tax cuts always cost government hundreds of millions of dollars – there’s never any stimulative effect on the economy to be considered.  That’s because unlike every other state in the country, we refuse to use dynamic scoring when assessing the impact of various tax proposals here in South Carolina. That means would-be tax cutters always have to “pay for” their proposed tax cuts with … wait for it … “revenue enhancements.” As a result, we never have real tax cuts in South Carolina, just “revenue neutral” tax swaps that generally involve hard-working people taking it where the sun don’t shine. Hard. Bill Gillespie – the father of all this nonsense – is seriously like Kryptonite to a tax cut, people, which is why it’s a real tragedy that his economic numbers are what drive the budget and legislative process in this state.

26. Addison Graves “Joe” Wilson – U.S. Representative (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 30%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 78
Change Agent: NO

“You lie!” may have been (another) national embarrassment for South Carolina, but U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson’s rude outburst during a nationally televised presidential address to Congress this year has been a gold mine for him politically.  He’s raised beaucoup campaign bucks and has become a huge celebrity to the GOP base here in the Palmetto State and across the country. Still, none of that changes the fact that he’s a TARP-supporting, big government RINO who only found his limited government lungs when it was clear that the most socialist proposal in the history of American government was moving down the pipe.  So yeah … thanks a lot there, Addison.

27. Jean Toal – Chief Justice, S.C. Supreme Court

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: 25
Change Agent: No

The wheels are officially coming off for “Queen Jean,” and no … that’s not a reference to her chronic inability to safely (soberly?) operate motor vehicles.  Forget the “judicial branch” of state government, South Carolina’s Chief Justice has ruled the state’s entire legal system (judges, lawyers, rulings) with an iron fist for years, but major missteps in recent years – like the bar exam scam and bar association scandal – have resulted in heightened scrutiny on the rampant corruption that exists within her empire. Toal is, as a result, teetering – and no, that’s not a field sobriety reference. Okay … yes it is.

28. Andre Bauer – Lt. Governor (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 50%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 28
Change Agent: SOMETIMES

Bauer had a decent game plan heading into the Sanford drama, but his political operation quickly overplayed its hand, making Bauer look more like a used car salesman than a statesman. Still, the rival establishment campaigns of Henry McMaster and Gresham Barrett haven’t been able to deal Bauer’s bid a death blow – something that shouldn’t be all that hard given his unusually high disapproval ratings. As a result, Bauer enters 2010 with just as good a shot of becoming governor as anybody, although his campaign is in desperate need of some substantive policy to stave off the perception that he’s nothing but an immature, fist-pumping panderer. One thing we do know from past elections, though, is that no one will outwork Bauer. No one. And whether he’s earned it or not, the inescapable reality is that seniors (who don’t always represent in polls, but vote in droves) absolutely positively love him. Ah, senility.

29. Gresham Barrett – U.S. Representative (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 30%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: 8
Change Agent: NO

Booed off the stage in Greenville, S.C. back in April for his flip-flop on the TARP vote, things have only gone downhill for Barrett in the intervening months. His gubernatorial campaign has succeeded in raising … err, transferring …. a good bit of money, but Barrett has brought absolutely nothing to the table policy-wise. Also, two disastrous debate performances have many questioning his chops. In addition to Barrett’s elemental lack of gravitas, his campaign has been dogged by persistent rumors about his personal life, shakeups in top leadership as well as the Congressman’s ongoing connection to one of the state’s top RINO political machines, the corrupt cabal of J. Warren Tompkins. That’s too bad, too. We had high hopes that Barrett was a real reformer who wouldn’t cave to Tompkins-style special interest pressures, but those hopes have sadly come to naught. Like the taxpayer-funded self-promotional mail from his Congressional office, Barrett’s as “status quo” as they come, people … which is the last thing South Carolina needs right now.

30. Randy Page – President, SCRG

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 33
Change Agent: YES

Page was one of the first social conservative leaders to call for Mark Sanford’s resignation this summer, and his organization – the uber-influential grassroots behemoth South Carolinians for Responsible Government (SCRG) – played its hand perfectly during the Sanford drama. On top of that, as bad a year as it was for Sanford, 2009 was a disastrous year for the failed education bureaucracy that Page’s troops have been battling against so relentlessly in recent years.  This ongoing status quo collapse has opened doors (Robert Ford) that no one thought would ever be opened – and forced many fence-sitters to reconsider their position on the parental issue. With ready access to cash, a growing army of foot soldiers and one of the most effective communications outfits in the state, look for Page to continue leading the state’s preeminent activist organization well into the coming decade. Oh, and on top of his work with SCRG, Page has tremendous pull with both the socially conservative “family values” crowd as well as the fiscally conservative tea party folks.  That’s always solid gold real estate when making GOP primary endorsements …

31. Ashley Landess – President, S.C. Policy Council

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 43
Change Agent: YES

While the rest of South Carolina was celebrating one of the biggest economic development announcements in state history, Landess was blasting the deal’s incentives as a “bailout for Boeing.” Needless to say, that went over poorly in a state with 12.3% unemployment, although Landess argues passionately that these incentive deals perpetuate high unemployment as opposed to reducing it – and she’s got some compelling data to back that assertion up. Either way, the move cost her politically, as have concerns about the proximity of the status quo “Quinndom” to her independent think tank (concerns that will only be amplified during an election year). Nonetheless, there’s no denying Landess’ combination of smarts and sex appeal, and if she can keep the money coming in the door while staying clear of political entanglements, the Policy Council will thrive.

32. Jim Rex – State Superintendent of Education (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Dropping Like A Rock
Last Year: 16
Change Agent: NO

As the only Democrat currently occupying a statewide office, Rex is the titular head of his party. He’s also the current front-runner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, which ordinarily would land him in the Top 15 on our list.  There’s just one problem, though (okay, okay … there are a lot of problems). First, Rex’s primary lead is exclusively the product of his name ID, meaning people are only supporting him because they haven’t heard of the other candidates.  Additionally, Rex’s campaign fund raising efforts – as of this writing – have been a complete disaster. Worst of all, though, it’s been yet another perfectly abysmal year for public education in South Carolina – despite record amounts of taxpayer money being poured into the system. In addition to relegating thousands of children to dead-end futures, that spells real trouble for Rex politically, who is facing several credible Democratic challengers in his gubernatorial bid.

33. Frank Fusco – Executive Director, S.C. Budget and Control Board

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 38
Change Agent: NO

Forget the governor, the majority of “executive branch” functions in South Carolina fall squarely under the control of S.C. Budget & Control Board executive director Frank Fusco – who runs the granddaddy of all state agencies. Fusco’s B&CB is a one-of-a-kind, five-headed monster that’s unique to our backwards, backwoods banana republic.  And while the agency technically has five heads (governor, treasurer, comptroller general, senate finance chairman and house ways and means chairman), none of those men actually handle the day-to-day operations of “the beast.” That’s Fusco’s fiefdom. Speaking of which, FITS has received some interesting scoop this holiday season related to the B&CB which we look forward to investigating in 2010. After spending most of 2009 off of our radar screen, welcome back Frank!

34. Kenny Bingham – House Majority Leader (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 47
Change Agent: NO

“Keeenny” is a Dapper Dan man, people.  As in his hair is really, really slick.  Oh, he’s also a taxpayer turncoat who’s traded in whatever fiscal conservative principles he once claimed for a “seat at the table” with Columbia’s RINOcrat leaders. That sellout has gained him thirteen spots on our power list, but at what cost? It’s sad, too … Bingham could have been a real reformer who stood up for the taxpayers, but he’s decided to climb the leadership ladder instead. Hopefully, Lexington voters won’t forget that the next time “Slick” goes to the polls.

35. Chad Walldorf – Chairman, S.C. Club for Growth

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 49
Change Agent: YES

A disastrous year for the reform movement in South Carolina was still a better-than-average year for Chad Walldorf. His group had a pretty solid 2008, too, come to thing about it. Like SCRG (although lacking the same level of grassroots, legislative and new media capabilities), Walldorf’s S.C. Club for Growth has become a financial force to be reckoned with in Republican primary elections, steering big bucks to fiscally conservative candidates and offering a coveted “Good Housekeeping” seal to their campaigns. With or without Sanford, Walldorf will continue to be a major player in the battle for the heart and soul of the GOP … or whatever party emerges from the taxpayer revolution that’s currently sweeping across our state and nation.

36. Bill Stern – Chairman, State Ports Authority

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NO

Speaking of “major players” and “financial forces to be reckoned with,” the Chairman of the State Ports Authority is a veritable hurricane of cash – and he isn’t afraid to dump bucket loads of it onto South Carolina’s pay-to-play political landscape.  He’s also a glaring omission from our previous lists, which we attribute primarily to the fact that we hated his guts and didn’t want to give him the credit he deserved. Hey … at least we can admit it, right? Anyway, Stern says he’s a free market guy who is committed to a free market port in Jasper. We’ll see. We’ve heard that from previous SPA Chairmen before, but we’re certainly willing to give Stern the benefit of the doubt in his second go-round in Charleston …

37. Mike Shealy – Senate Finance Committee (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 40
Change Agent: NO

Sure, Shealy “holds the big government step ladder for the little Leninist,” as one Columbia insider puts it, but being the right-hand man to the top dog has its benefits. For example, Shealy and Hugh Leatherman basically get to write the state budget each year. Oh … and in addition to less interference coming from the “humble walkers” in the governor’s office this year, we’re hearing the upcoming budget also includes “more cowbell.” Yippee!! To his credit, though, Shealy is one Palmetto power broker who recognizes our founding editor’s “Alpha Beeeyatch” dominance in all things, especially seating arrangements at the popular Miyo’s Asian Cuisine restaurant in downtown Columbia.  That’s right, fool. You bitches can move your dinner party …

38. Robert Ford – State Senator, Gubernatorial Candidate (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: SOMETIMES

What happens when a well-established black Democrat makes a boatload of new friends on the right side of the political spectrum? Wait for it … insta-power! Of course, such symbiotic relationships are nothing new for Ford, who has built his power base in the State Senate by repeatedly partnering with the No. 2 man on our list, Senate President Glenn McConnell.  Anyway, in addition to his politically courageous (and savvy) decision to lead the charge for expanded parental choice in South Carolina, Ford is also currently polling second in the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary – a race in which he is the only African-American candidate. That’s “boo-yah spittin’ out buck shot,” people. Which take our word for it, is a good thing.

39. Rick Quinn – Former Majority Leader, Businessman (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 70%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 55
Change Agent: USUALLY

Since losing his reelection bid to the S.C. House in 2004 (and finishing third to a pair of millionaires in the State Treasurer’s race two years later), Rick Quinn has been steadily working his way back up the state’s power structure.  A brilliant policy mind, strategist and communicator, he’s also one of the few Republicans in South Carolina who can point to a fiscally conservative record and a serious (albeit only proposed) tax overhaul. Quinn is seeking to return to the S.C. House in 2010 to take on tax reform, a place where his limited government ideology and intelligence are both desperately needed. Win or lose, though (and we suspect he’ll easily defeat his RINO opponent), Quinn’s political potency is unquestioned.

40. Jake Knotts – State Senator (RINO – Lexington)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 45
Change Agent: NAW, BUBBA

“Boss Hogg done got ‘dem Duke boys at last!” Well, he got one of them, anyway … except he didn’t necessarily “git” him so much as he temporarily incapacitated him.  Still, the noise made by Jakie Knotts back in mid-June got reporters sniffing around as to the whereabouts of Mark Sanford … and we all know where that led us.

41. Joe Taylor – Secretary of Commerce

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 50%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 70
Change Agent: BOEING!

Boeing, Boeing, Boeing, Boeing … Boeing! Joe Taylor has landed his big fish – South Carolina’s first major league economic development victory since BMW in the early nineties. Now it remains to be seen if Taylor’s Commerce Department can do anything for the rest of the state, which is suffering from flat income levels and record unemployment. Also, a legitimate debate is raging as to whether our state’s massive investment in government-run “economic development” (not just the incentive packages but the infrastructure supporting all those bureaucrats) is really worth it. If one “big win” every two decades is the outcome, then signs point to “NO …” Having said all that, Boeing’s announcement that it will build Dreamliners in North Charleston has Taylor climbing our chart this year.

42. Yancey McGill – State Senator (D-Williamsburg)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 5%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #57
Change Agent: NO

We keep hearing from insider after insider about how Yancey McGill is a “reliable pro-business vote” … we’ve just never seen any evidence of that. As far as we can tell, he’s nothing but another big government stooge in South Carolina’s RINOcrat majority who has a leg up on the rest of the Senate because he takes taxpayer-funded vacations with Hugh Leatherman. Anyway, McGill is viewed as a consensus guy, for some reason, and as we mentioned last year two of his offspring are carving out successful careers for themselves in the State House lobby. So here he is …

43. Butch Bowers – Attorney, Hall & Bowers

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 90%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #58
Change Agent: Yes

Butch Bowers and his law partner, Kevin Hall, successfully defended Gov. Mark Sanford from impeachment charges this year – which wasn’t all that hard to do when you consider that the deck was stacked in Sanford’s favor from the get-go. Still, unlike our founding editor’s beloved Indianapolis Colts, “Hall & Oates” didn’t let their foot off the gas pedal. Accordingly, they earned beaucoup respects for their handling of a high-profile case involving a universally unpopular defendant. Freed from the shackles of Nelson Mullins law firm (a.k.a. “conflict central), Bowers and Hall are now “counselers of record for the reform movement,” as one observer told us.

44. Larry Marchant – Lobbyist, Political Consultant

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 50%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #18
Change Agent: SOMETIMES

Marchant’s awful 2009 was capped off by an embarrassing pre-Christmas DUI arrest. Fa la la la la, right? Of course, the real reason for his decline is a simple self-dilution of his own influence. Marchant, like Warren Tompkins, is trying to be both a lobbyist and a campaign consultant, but despite the best efforts of his staff – including talented newcomer Desiree Watson – the horses just aren’t there (like they are in the Tompkins stable). Still, Marchant’s ability as a strategist can be breathtaking to behold – when he’s “on.” Clearly, another reason for Marchant’s dip this year is the departure of his former VP Katie Dunning, who in addition to being a fixture on our “hot list” was also one of the most talented young lobbyists at the State House.

45. Bob McAlister – President, McAlister Communications

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 40%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 46
Change Agent: SOMETIMES

Even Bob’s (many) enemies in the reform movement acknowledge the fact that he is the most gifted (and well-connected) communicator in the business.  Simply put, nobody else in South Carolina (not even Sic Willie) touches McAlister’s “deftness with the diction,” nor are there many who can match his strategic capabilities, either. Given the fact that he’s tight with Leatherman and many other politicos at the top of our list, there’s a legitimate case to be made that McAlister is a Top 20 politico himself.  In fact, one list we were provided in preparing the “Power 100″ had him as high as No. 18. We ranked him lower because, well … we’re jealous.

46. Bobby Hitt – BMW North America

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 53
Change Agent: ?

BMW North America is currently expanding its presence in the South Carolina Upstate – where it already enjoys political clout like you wouldn’t believe. On top of that, Hitt was just named Chairman of the S.C. Manufacturers’ Alliance Board of Directors – one of the most influential posts in the business community. He was also one of the first Palmetto business leaders to get on the phone with Boeing, presumably to tell them that South Carolinians, in spite of our many other failings, have good “muscle memory” when it comes to manufacturing tasks. All in all, this former newsman has made quite a career for himself …

47. Nikki Haley – State Representative, Gubernatorial Candidate (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 95%
Stock: Slipping
Last Year: 29
Change Agent: YES

Were it not for Mark Sanford’s wayward penis, Nikki Haley would no doubt be loving life right now as a 2010 gubernatorial front-runner. Heck, she may have even cracked our Top 10. Unfortunately, Gov. “Tan Lines” and his soul mate nearly derailed her gubernatorial bid completely – and Haley’s initial “doe in the headlights” response didn’t help her cause, either.  Still, contrary to the establishment’s hopes, “Haley’s Comet” wasn’t completely extinguished by Sanford’s dramatic fall. In fact, recent polling shows her surpassing one of the establishment candidates in the race, Gresham Barrett, and creeping up on the other two, Andre Bauer and Henry McMaster. Also, if First Lady Jenny Sanford – who is backing Haley- can put some money into her coffers, look for Nikki to challenge for the GOP runoff this summer.

48. The “Back Row Boys” – State Senators

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: YES

Their numbers may be small, but the “Back Row Boys” are becoming masters of subverting the status quo. An eclectic mix of State Senators from all parts of the state, these reformers are united by their support for common sense conservative reforms.  Led by Tom Davis and Mick Mulvaney, their ranks include new Senators like Lee Bright, Phil Shoopman, Mike Rose and Kevin Bryant as well as grizzled veterans like Chip Campsen, Larry Grooms and Danny Verdin. (Note: Spartanburg Sen. Shane Martin is NOT a member. He’s a fake reformer who’s in Hugh Leatherman’s back pocket on key votes).

49. Kevin Hall – Attorney, Hall & Bowers

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 80%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 51
Change Agent: YES

While nobody likes a health scare, the best thing that could have happened to Kevin Hall in 2009 was his decision to withdraw from the SCGOP Chairman’s race due to some (since resolved) heart problems. The second best thing? Hall’s decision to leave Nelson Mullins and hang a shingle with Butch Bowers.  Those two decisions have positioned him on the outside of two crumbling edifices – and given him a starring role at a behemoth-in-the-making.

50. Lewis Gossett – President, S.C. Manufacturers’ Alliance

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 70%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #54
Change Agent: USUALLY

Bald is beautiful, people … even if he’s not starring in those Iron Eagle movies anymore. A former Cabinet director, this Lewis Gossett continues to raise the stature of one of South Carolina’s most influential, aggressive and important industry associations – a team that’s stocked with well-connected political talent (starting with him). The Manufacturers’ Alliance has never been stronger at the State House, as Gossett’s ready access to (and relationships with) decision makers at all points along the political spectrum continues to pay big dividends for the state’s largest economic advocate.

51. Nick Kremydas – President, SC Realtors

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 80%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #26
Change Agent: USUALLY

Kremydas’ position on our list has dropped (along with S.C. property values), but an awful business year for the Realtors (c) doesn’t mean they’ve become politically impotent. Far from it. Kremydas still runs one of the most influential, well-funded organizations in the state, and their clout on tax reform issues will be felt in a big way at the State House in 2010. The research apparatus the Realtors bring to the table, specifically, is a model for other groups to follow. Now, if Kremydas can just find a way to keep his lobbyists off taxpayer-funded airplane flights …

52. Dwight Drake – Lobbyist/ Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #97
Change Agent: DOES SHAVING EAR HAIR COUNT?

Drake could very well wind up winning the Democratic gubernatorial nomination this summer, in which case we’ll probably have to lay off (ramp up?) the “Chewbacca” jokes. To his credit – and the credit of his barber – he’s emerged from the cave and become the most polished candidate running for governor in either party, although how much credit that’s really worth is up for debate. To his detriment, Drake is so liberal he makes Chairman Mao look like a tea party demonstrator. Like the rest of the wealthy, bleeding hearts who can’t getting enough of dividing people for their own political benefit, Drake wants the poor to be cared for by expanded government programs paid for by the middle class. Same old scam … but Drake has wrapped his “share the wealth” ideology in a convincing “pro-business” veneer. If he can keep his (big) secrets buried, this leftist might actually give the GOP a run for its money come November.

53. Pam Lackey – President, AT&T of South Carolina

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #50
Change Agent: ?

For years Pam was one of the most respected, knowledgeable and successful lobbyists in South Carolina.  Now she’s one of the most respected, knowledgeable and successful executives – in a growth industry, to boot. One of the few “pure” souls on this list, Pam is proof that good girls do finish first – at least when they apply themselves and use the brains God gave them. The epitome of grace and professionalism, young women who are looking for a career in the political and corporate arenas should follow Pam’s focused lead – and resist the ever-available opportunity to advance their careers the “old-fashioned way.”

54. Tracy Edge – State Representative (R-Myrtle Beach)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 60%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #36
Change Agent: USUALLY

A bad back knocked Edge out of the arena for an extended period of time in 2009 (doctors said he needed a “Backiotomy,”) but he’s reportedly on the mend and ready to resume his spot as one of the House’s most influential lawmakers – particularly when it comes to health care policy.  Along with Kris Krawford, Edge is one of the smartest lawmakers in Columbia, which we’ll admit isn’t that much of a compliment. Still, Edge is feared by the Speaker and others in the GOP leadership for his rare combination of intellect and independence.

55. David Wilkins – Attorney, Former Speaker, U.S Ambassador (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 50%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #30
Change Agent: NO

The “Angry Turtle” takes another tumble on our list this year. Why? Well, he’s not the Speaker anymore … and he’s not the Ambassador anymore … he’s literally just some bald dude sitting in a fancy law office. Also the fact that the “Wilkins Award” (presented annually by Furman) has become synonymous with communist principles probably doesn’t help him much …

56. Jim Hodges – Lobbyist, Former Governor (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #67
Change Agent: NO

A successful former lawmaker and governor (in spite of his fatal allegiance to a dying public education system), Hodges has successfully resisted the lure of the political spotlight since leaving office to become a major behind-the-scenes player in Democratic political circles. Well-connected with the Obama campaign, “the Hove” has sold his South Carolina lobbying firm and been picked up by a big-time Virginia outfit, McGuireWoods. Play on, player …

57. James Smith – State Representative (D-Richland)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #5
Change Agent: NO

It’s totally unfair to drop a war hero a whopping 52 – that’s right, 52 spots – in our rankings, but the bottom line is that James Smith made the choice not to run for governor in 2010, leaving the field to be plowed by a lesser crop of Democratic candidates. He’s stayed (and will stay) relevant as a policy force at the State House, but his decision to hold off on a statewide run has – for now – slowed his rapid rise to the top of the power list. Smith’s consolation? His decision was genuinely based on putting his family first (Smith spent 2007-08 fighting in Afghanistan, people), which is something you don’t see very often in the S.C. political cesspool. That’s why we respect Smith tremendously, even if we agree with him on virtually nothing.

58. Darrell Jackson – Pastor, State Senator (D-Richland)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #48
Change Agent: NOT YET

John Mayer is “waiting on the world to change.” We’re waiting for Senator Jackson to step up (like Senator Robert Ford) for the generations of black children this state relegates to the back burner every year. Another top Democrat who passed on a statewide run in 2010, we suspect Jackson’s moral compass will eventually get the best of him on the parental choice front.  At least we hope so. After all, another decade of tolerating systemic failure from a flawed public education system is not an option for South Carolina’s 31% African-American population (check with Lindsey Graham on that number) – and Jackson knows it. He also knows the threats made against him by the state’s educrat unions are becoming increasingly less “enforceable.”

59. Roger Milliken – Textile Executive

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #27
Change Agent: NO

Party chairwoman Karen Floyd dusted off Roger Milliken for some GOP fund-raising efforts earlier this year, and while the Spartanburg textile magnate is pushing eleventy kabillion years old (and may, in fact die before you finish reading this), he’s still a billionaire … with a “B.”  That counts for something … like $1,000,000,000, to be precise.

60. John Rainey – Chair, Board of Economic Advisors

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #39
Change Agent: PUHHHLEASE!!!

Retarded monkeys wearing blindfolds and throwing darts backward could do a better job of estimating South Carolina’s revenues than John Rainey.  One of the worst pay-to-play appointments ever made by S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford, this seersucker-wearing blowhard is one of the main reasons your taxes are as high as they are. Seriously, real tax cuts don’t stand a chance in this state as long as Keynesians like Rainey are running the show. And the so-called “most conservative governor ever” appointed this douchebag? Please. Plus, Rainey’s just an asshole. A complete, total,  irredeemable asshole. Incidentally, we refer to Rainey as “Chair” rather than “Chairman” of the BEA because we know he hates that. Muahahaha!

61. Rod Shealy, Sr. – Political Consultant

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #21
Change Agent: NO

“Hot Rod” had a brush with death last year – a cancerous brain tumor that nearly killed him. Hopefully he’s on the mend because we’ll be honest – it hasn’t been the same without him. Sure, he reps RINOs almost exclusively these days, but the man is a diabolical genius who has always lived life on his own terms and told anybody who didn’t like it exactly where they could go. It’s hard not to respect a guy like that – and it’s impossible not to respect his legendary campaign skills. When they write the book of S.C. politics, our guess is the Shealy chapter will be the best chapter – the one you’ll want to read over and over again.

62. Chris Drummond – Political Consultant

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 70%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: #60
Change Agent: USUALLY

Unlike our founding editor (who literally cannot stop overexposing himself), Chris Drummond flies completely under the radar. In fact, unless you’re one of his clients – or on the receiving end of one of his infamous leaks, chances are you’ve never heard of him.  A former communications director to Gov. Mark Sanford, Drummond is a brilliant media strategist with the best TV connections of any communications pro in the state. Can you say “prime time?” Drummond’s clients can …

63. Laura Hudson – Executive Director, S.C. Crime Victims Council

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #68
Change Agent: SOMETIMES

Tough … as … nails … Laura Hudson’s advocacy on behalf of crime victims is truly something to behold. We’ll put it this way … most lobbyists try to kiss up to lawmakers. In Hudson’s case, lawmakers try to kiss up to her. Seriously, we fear no one around here, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t make a special effort to avoid pissing off Mrs. Hudson. Okay, okay … insert your CDV joke here (____ …)

64. Oran Smith – President, Palmetto Family Council

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Holding
Last Year: #69
Change Agent: ?

Oran Smith’s social conservative flock is diminishing in size (and importance relative to the GOP power struggle in S.C.) … so why is he still creeping up on our list? Well, unlike the snake handlers (and Huckabee voters) who comprise the majority of his constituency, Smith has adeptly positioned his Palmetto Family Council as part of a broader conservative alliance in Columbia. He’s also masterfully leveraged the new media to maintain (and expand) his grassroots reach.  On top of all that, on a personal level Smith is  incredibly savvy (and accessible) for a Bible-thumper, which is another way of saying we’ve never “heard tell” of him “speaking in tongues.” Smith’s membership at powerhouse First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C. also guarantees his access to top politicos is not merely confined to the work week. Lord, have mercy …

65. Buck Limehouse – Secretary, S.C. Department of Transportation

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #44
Change Agent: ?

Buck Limehouse is a member of the last generation of Limehouses that doesn’t have to be reminded to breathe … but his name is “Limehouse,” which means that he gets to run some massive state agency overseeing billions of dollars as a birthright.  Seriously, it’s right there in the State Constitution … next to the part about the ghost of Ben Tillman retaining perpetual executive power. Limehouse’s son, Chip, is also on the powerful House Ways & Means Committee … assuming he hasn’t gotten hungry and eaten it as his post-brunch, pre-lunch snack.

66. Stan Spears – Adjutant General (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #42
Change Agent: ?

C’mon Stan, think about it … you’ve got the tanks … we’ve got the brains … seriously! What’s it gonna take to get this revolution … errr, party started? Tell you what … you can have the booze and hookers (and Columbia), all we really want is the top floor of the Market Pavilion Hotel in Charleston. Oh, and some restricted air space, if it’s not too much to ask. Let the benevolent dictatorship begin!

67. Sue Berkowitz – Appleseed Legal Justice Center (Liberal)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: #73
Change Agent: NO

In yet another example of how “Republicans run South Carolina,” Sue Berkowitz – a slightly-left-of-Lenin hippie lobbyist – effectively controls the “GOP-controlled” S.C. Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. That’s right. A friggin’ hippie dictates our banking and insurance laws. In fact, Sue’s grip over this incredibly influential committee (ostensible chaired by “GOP” Sen. David Thomas) has only grown stronger after we exposed the fact that she was calling the shots! Credit where credit is due, though … that’s impressive.

68. Robbie Kerr – Health Care Policy Analyst

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 40%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: #41
Change Agent: NO

Robbie’s endorsement of Blue Cross/ Blue Shield CEO Ed Sellers’ retirement plan … err, the “cigarette tax hike for Medicaid”… still depresses us.  More than anyone else, Kerr – a former Department of Health and Human Services director- should know that we can’t keep pouring money into the same Medicaid sinkholes and expect anything to change other than the skyrocketing tab. Raising the cigarette tax is awful public policy – particularly the way Sellers and Speaker Bobby Harrell want to do it – with no corresponding tax cut and no corresponding reform to a bloated and broken health care delivery system.

69. William B. Timmerman – President, CEO & Chairman, SCANA

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: UNKNOWN

You can’t compile a “power” list without including the top dog at the top power company – especially this year. Timmerman was already a big deal, but SCANA’s “all-in” nuclear push in 2010 (unlike some state-owned giants, their shovels are already in the dirt) gives him real skin in the political game. Of course, the pro-nuclear lobby in South Carolina remains woefully unprepared for the battle that awaits it from the state’s whack job environmentalists. That means Timmerman better get loaded for bear … and fast.

70. Curtis Loftis – Philanthropist, Political Activist (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 80%
Stock: Slipping
Last Year: 61
Change Agent: YES

Loftis has been spending more time of late on his humanitarian pursuits than politics … and the world is no doubt a better place as a result. In fact, we got an email from Loftis a few days ago “postmarked” from Panama, where he is no doubt continuing to do the Lord’s work – or at least enjoying the local scenery.  The former head of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer’s Office on Aging, Loftis had SC 2’s organization firing on all cylinders and making some real strides toward credibility. Then he departed, Jim Miles came in, and the whole thing went to hell. A legitimate statewide contender in his own right, Loftis has hinted at future political ambitions but has yet to take the leap. We hope he does … South Carolina could use more principled reformers.

71. Harry Ott – Democratic Leader, S.C. House of Representatives

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Slipping
Last Year: 79
Change Agent: NO

He keeps his democratic caucus votes in line and he always gets what he wants out of the state budget. Hard to argue with that kind of pull. Ott decided to pass on a gubernatorial run in 2010, which was probably smart although it does technically limit his “upside.” Along with Speaker Cobb-Hunter, Ott is the power-behind-the-scenes in the “GOP-controlled” S.C. House. Like Sen. Yancey McGill, he also has a son who is a prominent State House lobbyist. Anybody see a trend developing here?

72. Eddie Gunn – Chief of Staff, S.C. Budget and Control Board (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NO

When he’s not serving as Admiral Ackbar’s stunt double (it’s a trap!), Eddie Gunn is no doubt doing a lot of internet surfing – and contemplating important things like where he’s going to go for lunch. The quintessential poster bureaucrat, Gunn has held literally dozens of lofty-sounding titles since he first began working in state government … which was sometime in the 1860s, we think. He’s currently the Chief of Staff at the S.C. Budget & Control Board, where his job involves pimping the irrational fear of “deferred maintenance” to a bunch of knuckle-dragging lawmakers who then shrug and cut him checks for millions of dollars. Oh, “Hey Gunnster! What’s for lunch, buddy?” Oh yeah, Eddie’s son, Michael, is … wait for it … a prominent State House lobbyist.

73. James I. Newsome III – President and CEO, SC State Ports Authority

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: UNKNOWN

Newsome has been handed an unmitigated disaster at the S.C. State Ports Authority – plus a new port management bill dramatically enhances legislative meddling with this agency, which will no doubt make it harder on him to turn things around.  Still handicapped by a non-competitive business model in Charleston – and still refusing to expand in Jasper – this was a “lost decade” for the state’s ports, and we’ve seen nothing to indicate that change is forthcoming. Having said all that, Newsome has a solid reputation as a business-savvy executive, and we’re willing to give him the benefit of the doubt … for now.

74. Lonnie Carter – CEO, Santee Cooper

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 20%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NO

Lonnie Carter is a new addition to our list. His stock is theoretically “rising” … but that’s only because we neglected to acknowledge his influence in previous installments of the Power 100. Truth is, he caved to the environmental lobby in 2009 and it cost Santee Cooper millions. With visions of a coal plant no longer dancing in his head, Carter is now turning to nuclear power – like SCANA. Unlike Timmerman’s boys, though, Carter is behind the eight ball. Typical of a government-owned utility, isn’t it? We should have sold this bucket of bolts (Santee Cooper) years ago when we had the chance, people.

75. Anton Gunn – State Representative (D-Richland)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NO

Anton Gunn has a posse.  Seriously, people … we criticized him over something (we can’t even remember what it was now) and pretty much every single one of our readers tripped over themselves in rushing to his defense. Not only is he the South Carolina politician with the most direct line to Barack Obama’s White House, sources also tell us he’s the heir apparent to Congressman Jim Clyburn, assuming “Pimp Hand” ever relinquishes his seat.

76. Mick Mulvaney – State Senator, U.S. Congressional Candidate (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: YES

Mick Mulvaney “should” have stayed in his State House seat in 2008, but he gambled and ran for an open (and highly-competitive) State Senate seat – which he won by running a flawless campaign. He’ll have to run another flawless campaign in 2010 if he hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. John Spratt. Frankly, it’s hard to imagine anyone whose personality is less suited for politics, but abrasive as he can be at times, Mulvaney tells it like it is. He also “walks the walk.” That’s a rare commodity in South Carolina politics – and TEA party, GOP and independent voters love him for it. In a state where the vast majority of Republicans say one thing and do another, Mick is refreshingly consistent in his taxpayer advocacy … making him a real force for change.

77. Cam Crawford – Executive Director, S.C. Civil Justice Coalition

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: YES

Welcome to Cam Crawford’s world. The No. 6 guy on our list is representing the trial lawyers and the No. 7 guy is representing the claimant attorneys (and both evil empires have legions of lobbyists and fund-raisers working alongside them). Against those odds, it really is a miracle that Cam Crawford wins any fights at the S.C. State House.  Amazingly, he wins more than his fair share, though, which is a testament to the skill with which he advances the merits of business-friendly legal reforms.  In a state full of BLINOs (Business Leaders in Name Only), Cam is one of the few genuine articles – a business leader whose advocacy benefits all businesses, not just a select handful of them.

78. James Barker – President, Clemson University

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 88
Change Agent: NO

Does anyone really believe that Clemson is a superior University when compared to Harvard? Yale? Stanford? James Barker does … of course, that was all part of his clever, decade-long plan to artificially inflate his school’s standing with the good folks at U.S. News & World Report. It worked like a charm, too, until it got exposed (by us). Also exposed (by us) this year? Barker’s massive bureaucratic expansions at a time when the rest of the “Clemson family” was getting the shaft. As a result of all this, Clemson is stuck in neutral, which we suppose is better than backsliding, which is what’s going on at USC (and not just in football) …

79. Harris Pastides – President, University of South Carolina

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 93
Change Agent: NO

Harris Pastides actually had an awful year in 2009 – but he is rising on our list because (like Barker) we dramatically undervalued his influence a year ago. Yeah … our bad. Pastides runs a $1 billion “flagship” University, people … which would be awesome if he wasn’t running it into the ground.  Seriously, Pastides (like John Palms and Andrew Sorenson before him) is ruining what once was a decent liberal arts college by trying to turn it into something it’s not. Hell, the ongoing “Innovista” disaster – at $150 million and counting – was being built by a guy convicted of tax fraud and they still haven’t pulled the plug on this mother of all boondoggles. In spite of his ongoing “economic development” incompetence (and its disastrous consequences for USC), Pastides does sit atop a pile of millions in venture capital funds siphoned from real businesses. That’s power … even if it is being pissed away.

80. Tim Scott – State Representative, Lt. Gubernatorial Candidate (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 70%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 80
Change Agent: JURY STILL OUT

Tim Scott is back where he was a year ago – which in fairness, isn’t a bad thing for the first-term State Representative (honestly, other than Anton Gunn, how many of those do you see on this list?) … With a credible Lt. Gubernatorial bid underway, Scott has settled on the states rights platform as his main policy squeeze – which is not a bad choice considering the rampant disgust/ disillusionment S.C. voters are currently feeling for D.C. policies (and politicians). Tim angered many conservatives by backing Bobby Harrell last year as the Speaker moved to quash the Nikki Haley-Nathan Ballentine “rebellion,” although the former Charleston County Councilman’s voting record seems to have straightened out since then. Needless to say, every vote he casts in 2010 will be under the microscope …

81. Neil Mellen – Communications Director, SCRG

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 100%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: Yes

A former education analyst at the S.C. Policy Council, Neil Mellen is currently serving as communications director for South Carolinians for Responsible Government (SCRG). In that role, he has been quietly driving the education policy debate in this state for the last year. No really … Mellen’s exemplary research and communications work has put the state’s education establishment – and its C.Y.A. co-conspirators in the “education media” – squarely on the defensive.  Unlike so many in the political process, Mellen also practices what he preaches, devoting his spare time to a charity that aids poor students on remote Pacific island nations. So yeah … he’s actively trying to improve deplorable academic performance in two third world settings.

82. The Capital Press Corps

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: N/A
Last Year: NR
Change Agents: UPON OCCASION

The mainstream media is dying, but don’t tell that to Gina Smith at The State newspaper, who traveled to the Atlanta airport this summer on an anonymous tip that nearly brought down the Sanford administration. Also, don’t tell that to Tim Smith, one of the few mainstream media reporters who doesn’t let his paper’s left-wing ideology get in the way of him doing his job. That guy from Ghostbusters (Ivan?) was right, “print is dead,” but there are plenty of real journalists (not pretend ones like Sic Willie) who are keeping the MSM alive and well with solid investigative reporting. Unfortunately, there are far more sellout sycophants than crusaders these days, but we’re not complaining … that keeps us in business.

83. Vince Sheheen – State Senator, Gubernatorial Candidate (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NO

Seventeen percent of S.C. voters “strongly disapprove” of Vincent Sheheen? Seriously? We didn’t know seventeen percent of S.C. voters had even heard of Vincent Sheheen. While that number is indeed problematic for his gubernatorial bid, Sheheen is raising sufficient funds to get his own message out in a Democratic primary, and our sense is that voters will like what they see of him (if only for the thirty second sound bite).  Of course he’s a status quo, pay-to-play, special interest serving lawyer-legislator if there ever was one, but if we had a nickel for every one of those on this list, well … we’d have a lot of nickels. If Vincent can minimize his “bumpkin quotient,” he could be dangerous …

84. Ed Sellers – CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: 52
Change Agent: NO

Ed’s multimillion dollar oceanfront home on Sullivans Island, S.C. – just a stone’s throw from Jenny Sanford’s pad – obviously hasn’t been appointed to his precise specifications. Accordingly, he’s pushing his ongoing quest to raise the state’s cigarette tax (this time without a corresponding decrease in the income tax) harder than ever. The rich get richer, people … meanwhile, Medicaid growth would eat up any “surplus” revenue in no time, and Sellers knows it. Ed’s company is also in danger of losing its big federal insurance accounts, which is another reason for his decline this year …

85. Tony Denny – Lobbyist (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 50%
Stock: Slipping
Last Year: 76
Change Agent: Sometimes

Unlike almost all the other lobbyists, Tony has actually built relationships outside the State House over the years. That means he knows all the Republican party grassroots folks that other lobbyists like to pretend they can deliver. As anyone can tell you, he talks way, way (way) too much, but he usually makes a good amount of sense, which is probably why tons of people keep paying him for his advice – and his connections.

86. Molly Spearman – Executive Director, S.C. Association of School Administrators

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising … for now
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NO

The undisputed empress of the education establishment, Spearman has been singularly focused for years on keeping the gravy train flowing to government schools while fending off growing dissatisfaction with institutional failure (and growing support for expanded parental choice). She’s been successful so far on both fronts (over $12,000 per pupil successful), but the cracks in the dam are getting bigger. The center cannot hold …

87. Wes Donehue – Political Consultant (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 10%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 94
Change Agent: NO

The “King of New Media” in South Carolina (at least before Nancy Mace arrived on the scene to challenge his dominance) Donehue has become an Internet institution after getting his start with the evil emperor himself, Warren Tompkins. Previously inclined to threaten “Goose Creek violence” on his enemies, Wes has taken a chill pill in recent years and the new maturity is playing well. He’s learned to focus on what he’s good at, which is understanding all the latest tech stuff better than most of his peers. Still, his client roster is almost exclusively RINO, and the “Tompkins stench” (seriously, you can smell it) lingers despite his attempts to make inroads with increasingly popular fiscal conservative candidates.

88. Larry Wilson – Bobby Harrell’s Big Government “Svengali”

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NO

How is this guy not in jail?  Seriously, people … Larry was Enron before Enron was “in.” Now he’s the primary architect of South Carolina’s “Pillars and Pyramids” scam, a multi-front, taxpayer-funded economic development boondoggle that’s produced absolutely nothing … well, except for an empty “research campus” in the heart of downtown Columbia, S.C. That campus? Yeah … it’s also “built” around a technology even the Obama administration refuses to invest in. Worse still, taxpayer money that should have gone toward legitimate small businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors has somehow found its way into Wilson’s pockets as part of this ongoing scam. For shame, for shame … but for some reason Bobby Harrell and the rest of the RINO establishment in South Carolina swear by this loser.

89. Ed McMullen – Consultant (R)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 80%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 98
Change Agent: USUALLY

Ed continues to parlay his post-Policy Council career into a lucrative consulting practice – one that has wisely chosen (or been chosen by) heavy hitters in major growth industries (tech, energy, etc.).  We took some grief when we put him on the list last year, but he’s backed it up and then some. He’ll be at the forefront of several high-profile fights in 2010, too, meaning his stock could rise further with additional successes.

90. Bill Sandifer – Chairman, S.C. House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee (RINO)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: NO

There’s no way that the Chairman of one of the most influential legislative committees in the state should rank #90 on our list, but what can we say … inbreeding’s a bitch. Oh well, maybe 2010 will be the year Sandifer figures out how to walk upright.

91. Inez Tenenbaum – Chairwoman, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: 89
Change Agent: NO

Given her lack of accomplishment (with unprecedented resources) at the S.C. Ministry of Failure and Non-competition, we’re naturally fearful about what Inez has planned for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In fact, if anyone reading this is still alive a year from now, it’ll be a miracle. Nonetheless, with a weak democratic bench in South Carolina and her husband’s continued ability to stroke big checks, the Royal Tenenbaums remain a potent political force in South Carolina.

92. Peggy Boykin – S.C. Retirement Division Director

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: ?

Smart, sexy and (diabolically?) sweet, Boykin controls the S.C. Retirement System, one of the major divisions of the massive S.C. Budget & Control Board. A perpetual presence at the State House, Boykin has been on the front lines of every legislative and budget battle this past decade, and is frequently called upon to offer expert testimony on the state’s unfunded liability problem. How does she stack up? Well, we still have the TERI program, don’t we? Imposing storm clouds threaten the B&CB heading into 2010 (including one particular cloud that’s hanging over Peggy) … but assuming Boykin successfully navigates the squalls, she’ll remain a fixture on our list.

93. Chris Sullivan – Political Consultant

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: ?

It used to be that every major political campaign in South Carolina was run by one of three consultants: Richard Quinn, Warren Tompkins or Rod Shealy. No more. Mark Sanford’s successful 2002 gubernatorial bid obliterated that model once and for all, paving the way for “second-tier” consultants like Sullivan – a former Quinn employee – to rise to prominence. Based on what we’ve seen of his skill set, though, Sullivan won’t stay “second-tier” for long, although we do expect his gubernatorial client (Larry Grooms) to under-perform.

94. Walter Whetsell – Political Consultant

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 60%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 91
Change Agent: SOMETIMES

Like any consultant Walter has up years and down years, but he’s emerged as the best “mail man” in the state, meaning that political campaigns which may not always hire him as a strategist will still rely on his firm’s copy writing and design capabilities. On the verge of becoming one of the state’s “Big Three,” Whetsell has a unique competitive advantage in that he is much better positioned than other S.C. consultants when it comes to attracting fiscally conservative candidates. That should pay huge dividends for him in the future as voters continue to show a preference for taxpayer advocates instead of the glad-handing “bring home the bacon” goons who fill the Quinn, Tompkins and Shealy stables.

95. Kristi Harrington – Circuit Court Judge

Fiscal Conservative Rating: N/A
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: ?

Mark our words, “Wonder Woman” will be Chief Justice of the S.C. Supreme Court before it’s all said and done … in the meantime, “Handcuffs” Harrington – the lovely circuit court diva – is continuing to kick ass and take names in the S.C. Lowcountry, while our founding editor continues to fantasize about being hauled into her chambers. Rrrrawrr!

96. John Hazzard – Chief of Staff, Senate President Pro Tempore

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Holding
Last Year: 96
Change Agent: NO

Hazzard is the right-hand man to Senate President Glenn McConnell, who is enjoying something of a resurgence on this year’s list. Wait … who does No. 2 work for? Not the taxpayers, sadly …

97. Lachlan McIntosh – Political Consultant (D)

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 20%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: 100
Change Agent: SOMETIMES

McIntosh is the best young democratic consultant in South Carolina, hands down, and when … sorry, if … this state sheds its RINO veneer for a more fitting democratic label, he’ll be a fixture in our Top 10. For now, he’s picking smart campaigns and outperforming expectations in a state that has yet to figure out that there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the D’s and the R’s.

98. The Clerks – S.C. House and Senate

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agents: NO

We didn’t realize until we picked a fight with one of the Clerk’s Offices in 2009 just how powerful these legislative institutions really are … Charles Reid (House) and Jeffrey Gossett (Senate) are responsible for managing their respective chambers, and in those roles they wield tremendous, albeit mostly unseen, influence. They control the public record, too, which as we learned in 2009 is subject to change depending on a lawmaker’s need to be recorded as voting a certain way.

99. Karen Floyd – SCGOP Chairwoman

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 50%
Stock: Rising
Last Year: NR
Change Agent: COULD BE

Our founding editor’s love-hate relationship with Floyd is currently set to “swoon,” but fortunately for all of us his affections do not dictate political power in South Carolina (or do they?). Floyd, the only Republican to lose a statewide race in 2006,  is reportedly having trouble raising money for the SCGOP, which is obviously more divided than at any point in its history. Can she rebuild it? Hmmmm …

100. Ann Timberlake – Executive Director, Conservation Voters of S.C.

Fiscal Conservative Rating: 0%
Stock: Falling
Last Year: 84
Change Agent: NO

The global warming myth is collapsing, “cap and trade” is crumbling and the “Green Socialism” is being exposed for what it is – a “big government” power grab.  Meanwhile, Timberlake’s questionable ethics have cost her significant credibility among environmental purists who loathe her incumbent-friendly – not necessarily environmentally-friendly – endorsements. In spite of that, she’s still the de facto leader of the environmental movement in South Carolina (for now), and having vanquished “Clean Coal” in 2009, she’s setting her sights on vanquishing nuclear in 2010.

-#####-

Dropped off the “POWER 100″ … Jimmy Merrill (#23), Dan Hoover (#34), Trey Walker (#56), Beth Padgett (#59), Kristin Maguire (#62), Otis Rawl (#65), Cindi Ross Scoppe (#66), Darla Moore (#71), Larry Grooms (#72), Dana Beach (#74), Katon Dawson (#77), Adam Fogle (#81) Eddie Floyd (#82), Tom DeLoache (#83), Burnie Maybank (#85), Joel Lourie (#86), Annette Young (#90), Joe Riley (#92), Gerald Malloy (#95), Jeffrey Sewell (#99)

HONORABLE MENTIONS (CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES)

Maria Belen Chapur – First Ho

She has a particular grace and calm that we adore. She has a level of sophistication that (is) so fitting with her beauty. We could digress and say that she has the ability to give magnificent gentle kisses, or that we love her tan lines or that we love the curve of her hips, the erotic beauty of her holding yourself (or two magnificent parts of herself) in the faded glow of the night’s light – but hey, that would be going into sexual details.

Paula Harper Bethea -Lottery/ Endowed Chairs Czar

She runs the endowed chairs scam and the “education” lottery that funds it. She’s also got a rat tail … or had one, anyway. The double-dipping is a blatant conflict of interest (and the rat tail a blatant fashion foul), but sadly that’s par for the course in this state.

Democratic Young Guns

Zeke Stokes, Trav Robertson, Phil Bailey, Tyler Jones, Laurin Manning … there is a ton of young political talent in South Carolina – and it ain’t on the Republican side, either.

Nancy Mace – The Mace Group

The first woman to graduate from the Citadel, Mace is now challenging Wes Donehue’s dominance in the S.C. political new media market.

Adam Fogle – Blogger

Great writer. Good blog. Too bad it’s a paid RINO infomercial …

Joel Sawyer – Political Consultant

Mark Sanford’s former spokesman got hung out to dry by his boss on the “Appalachian Trail,” but he got out while the gettin’ was good and has landed a nice gig with the SCGOP, among other rumored clients.

Charles Cannon – House GOP Caucus Director

Known by everybody … liked by everybody. Sort of like Sic Willie, except not quite as good looking.

Will McCain- Lobbyist

The best lobbyist you’ve never heard of. Or maybe you have heard of him. If so, then he’s the best lobbyist you’ve heard of.

Jason Zacher – Communications Consultant

Jason should totally be on our list … he’s hugely influential in GOP messaging behind the scenes.

Jeff Stensland – DHHS Communications Director

Anybody trying to decipher the Medicaid mess in South Carolina calls Jeff Stensland …

The Senatorial Larrys

Larry Grooms is conservative gubernatorial candidate, Larry Martin is a liberal (but influential) RINO Senate Rules Chairman … they both probably belong on our list, but there were already (go figure) too many Larrys on it.  Better luck next year, guys.

Trey Walker – Chief of Staff, S.C. Attorney General

Last year he was working for John McCain … this year? Yeah … “Ohhhh Trey Booyahh, Weeeyhaaaza mahhuu Mehnt Jooolahhhp?”

Kathy Shannon – Lobbyist

Sing it with us, people. “She work hard fo her money (dum-dum-dum-dum), So hard for that money (dum-dum-dum-dum) …”

Mullins McLeod – Attorney, Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate

If he raises enough money in 2010, he could turn an insider democratic primary “outside in.” Plus he dates Brooke Gordon, which c’mon … how cool is that?

Kara Borie – Communications Director, S.C. Department of Commerce

Brilliant, gorgeous, totally underrated … Kara is one of the most gifted campaign and communications operatives we’ve ever had the privilege of working with …

Rod Shealy, Jr. – S.C. Comptroller General’s Office

So much like his famous father (in talent and style) that it’s scary …

Stephanie Nye – S.C. Supreme Court

She may have finished last in our “hottest lawyer” final, but she remains first in Sic’s fantasy life …

Vic Bailey – GOP Campaign Operative

Wait … who? Exactly … no one’s heard of him, but if we were picking a day-to-day campaign manager for a statewide race (and Kara Borie wasn’t available), our first call would be to Vic Bailey.

Sara Hopper – Lobbyist, S.C. Manufacturers’ Alliance

Her organization is on the rise and her prowess as a lobbyist is undisputed. She’s also invariably at the table for big economic development deals …

Helen Ann Thrower – Chief of Staff, S.C. Lieutenant Governor’s Office

Curtis Loftis built up the S.C. Lt. Governor’s Office into a credible organization … then Jim Miles blew it all to hell and erected a seedy den of corruption and iniquity. Helen Ann Thrower? She’s the tough, smart and principled lawyer turned Lite Guv Chief-of-Staff who’s putting Andre’s operation back together again.

Ralph Norman – State Representative (R-York County)

On the verge of irrelevance following his disastrous 2006 Congressional campaign against U.S. Rep. John Spratt, Ralph Norman is back where he started – the S.C. House of Representatives. A proven fiscally conservative leader, he’s got another chance to make his mark.

Kelly Payne – Teacher, Dutch Fork High School

The creator of the famous “It Kids” and a candidate for State Superintendent of Education, Kelly Payne is a long awaited breath of fresh air in South Carolina’s education debate.

Katon Dawson – Former SCGOP Chairman

As much as we’d like to put Dawson on the “dishonorable mentions” list for being a complete and total boob, we can’t. He’s still got a ton of support from GOP activists, and that counts for something. What, we’re not exactly sure, but …

The “Bonds” Girls

Casey Bonds Martin (University of South Carolina) and Lindsey Bonds (Fred Allen) are two of the best young female lobbyists in the business … not to mention two of the classiest. Seriously, people … these are the girls you hope your daughter grows up to be like.

The Seargants

They know everything, see everything and are the permanent designated drivers when state lawmakers have a lot too much to drink (which happens ALL THE TIME). Of course they never breathe a word of it, but still … that’s some power.

Anonymous Sources

When you think about it, everything is known … to somebody.

Barbara Melvin – Lobbyists, S.C. State Ports Authority

A lobbyist’s job is to be able to explain complicated issues in a way that state lawmakers can easily understand – in other words, at a preschool level. Barbara Melvin can do that, but that’s not why she’s worthy.  Nor (damnit) is her bangin’ bod or her impeccable taste in shoes. Melvin is an honorable mention because she is one of those rare lobbyists who can explain port issues to smart people, too.

Charlie Speight – Editor, The Garnet Spy

A self described “Cold Warrior and Reagan conservative,” Speight was at one point this year considering giving up his blog, The Garnet Spy. We’re glad he didn’t, because his website has become one of our favorite go-to sources of insider information.  Like us, “The Spy” openly plays favorites and doesn’t particularly care who he offends.  Needless to say, his future’s so bright he’s gotta wear shades.

Denver Merrill – Citizens for Sound Conservation

While his brother Jimmy’s stock has been plummeting (see “dishonorable mentions” below), Denver Merrill is quietly carving out a niche for himself as a capable communications strategist. He was still a little rough around the edges during his stint with grassroots group extraordinaire SCRG a few years ago, but reporters we talk with say he’s gotten his “game on” lately.

Eddie Floyd – Republican Fundraiser

Wait … is Eddie Floyd alive?

Katherine Jenerette – U.S. Congressional Candidate

If Jenerette doesn’t beat Henry Brown and “Tump Tump” Campbell in a GOP primary, we hope she runs as a Tea Party candidate. Congress needs a real fiscal conservative like Jenerette, not the lesser of two RINOs …

Mrs. Sic – Saint

No one suffers more each year come “list time” than our founding editor’s wife, and this year her suffering was (as she will gladly tell you) much greater than usual.  Of course, Mrs. Sic has decreed on her Facebook page that (gasp!) there will be no list next year! Ruh-roh!

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS (CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES)

Since so many people have called us over the years to complain about not making our lists (or to bitch about where they were ranked), it occurred to us this year to expand the “Palmetto Power” franchise a bit by including a list for those Palmetto politicos who think they’re important … but really aren’t.

Accordingly, here are a few “dishonorable mentions” of note (again, keep checking back for updates) …

Carroll A. “Tump Tump” Campbell

Were it not for his famous name, this mouth-breather would be taking your order at a Hardee’s drive-thru. Do you want fries with that? In his defense “Tump Tump” does opt for the “Tumpy” nickname when it’s time to get serious.

Greg Foster – The “Speaker’s Speaker”

More than a few people have told us that we’re shortchanging Greg and his abilities – and that he, in fact, belongs on our Top 100 list (or at least an honorable mention).  Sorry … we’re trying not to laugh …

Mack Whittle – Founder, The South Financial Group

Whittle got a nice taxpayer-funded “golden parachute” when he bailed on The South Financial Group … sadly, this leech is still helping drive decisions at the University of South Carolina. Bad, expensive decisions.

Otis “Otie” Rawl – President, SC Chamber of Commerce

There’s no excuse for the unofficial spokesman of the state’s business community to appear on a “wanna be” list, but Rawl has sadly taken a perch of considerable power (he was #65 on last year’s list) and turned it into a laughing stock.  Already blazing a trail of irrelevance through the S.C. State House, Mr. Deviated Septum invoked the ire of Power 100 leader Hugh Leatherman by blabbing off at the mouth just prior to the successful conclusion of the Boeing deal. Just call him the “Clown Prince” of economic development in South Carolina …

Frank Knapp – “S.C. Small Business Chamber of Commerce”

Inflated membership rolls full of trial lawyers? Toting the water for Obamacare and “Cap and Tax?” Yeah … small businesses beware!

Jeffrey Sewell – Editor, SC Hotline

How the mighty have fallen … once positioned to become the Matt Drudge of South Carolina, Sewell has turned the SC Hotline into an afterthought for a handful of decrepit politicos who haven’t updated their web browser since 1999.

Steve Morrison

If he wins the Columbia, S.C. mayoral race, the city could have its first ever 1,000-pound “first couple.

Cindi Ross Scoppe

Pippi Wrongstockings and the whole rotten liberal editorial establishment is finding failure increasingly harder to spin. BTW, she’s got a lunch date with Sic Willie in T-minus four years, in case she’s forgotten. A little inside bet that our founding editor is winning “big time,” as Dick Cheney would say.

The Charleston “Chips”

… as in Senator Campsen and Representative Limehouse – whose combined IQ barely cracks double digits. Oh well, at least Campsen can be counted on to vote the right way. Limehouse?  You can count him, alright – as 2.5 people when planning your legislative buffet.

Adam Piper – Third Vice Chair, SCGOP

We like Adam Piper … we really do.  He’s a smart kid and a capable campaign operative. Unfortunately, he really needs to purchase a clue when it comes to the political game. Wherever there’s an intramural GOP spitball fight in South Carolina, Piper is invariably in the middle of it. Spitballs can’t hurt you dude … unless you let them.

Jimmy Merrill – Former Majority Leader (RINO – Charleston)

Epic fail … and an epic fall.  Merrill appeared on the verge of big things a year ago, but since leaving his job as GOP Majority Leader (a.k.a. Republican Babysitter-in-Chief) he’s done absolutely nothing.  Well … he did get caught flying a female lobbyist on the state airplane to a glorified legislative drunk fest in North Carolina. Which we guess is something.

Wes Wolfe – Editor, Wolfe Reports Blog

A year after being tasked with the goal of “bringing down FITS” by his RINO paymasters (widely rumored to be Warren Tompkins and Bobby Harrell), Wolfe has obviously failed to accomplish that mission. He’s also failed to find a car that goes in reverse.

Tom DeLoache – SCBIPEC

If Tom DeLoache’s credibility was a credit card … he maxed it out by sucking up to legislative leaders with his BIPEC “rankings” in 2009. That’s why we did what we do … we put that card in the shredder.

Bob Inglis – U.S. Representative (RINO – SC 4)

A U.S. Congressman? Irrelevant? Yeah … you’ve obviously never met “Disco Bob” Inglis, the term limits sellout (and TARP bailout backer) … he’s already endorsed somebody … in a race against himself!

Keven Cohen – Radio Host, WVOC

How did Keven Cohen get an exclusive radio interview with S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford at the height of the Maria Belen Chapur scandal? Easy .. he was also willing to cross the “ultimate line” with Sanford (”journalistically” speaking). Gulp-gulp …

Darla Moore – Financier, Philanthropist (Liberal)

Moore left The South Financial Group’s board as the company spiraled to ruin. Meanwhile her government-run economic development dreams are dying a slow (but expensive) death on the banks of the Congaree River.  It’s been a tough year for the old bird, a tough year indeed.

Mike Green – GOP Campaign Operative

Green’s arrest in Myrtle Beach for “crashing” a rival mayoral candidate’s campaign meeting would seem to lend him some “bad boy” cred … but amazingly, not even going to jail could make Mike Green cool.

Beth Padgett – Editorial Page Editor, Greenville News

Hell, just lump every mainstream media editorial page writer onto the irrelevant list.  Nobody reads these dinosaurs anymore.

Bridget Keeney

Is she back from Canada yet? Seriously … we need some hot erotica!

Rusty DePass

Wait … was he the one who spray-painted that racist graffiti on City Hall?

PARTING SHOTS

As always, one of the best parts of the “Palmetto Power 100″ is the reaction it engenders from friends and foes alike … and from Sic Willie himself, who is always quick to acknowledge any glaring omissions.

To the comments!