By Bill Connor, Candidate for S.C. Lt. Governor | While commanding US troops in Helmand province in Southern Afghanistan, I saw the strength of America in the young men who got the mission done through hard work, initiative, and ingenuity. Our Constitutional, free enterprise system produced these incredible soldiers.
When I returned in the summer of 2008, I saw something alarming; many of my fellow Americans turning to government as the answer to their problems. I came to realize that this wasn’t just my fellow citizens doing this – it was also my “fellow Republicans.”
Our Republican Party should stand for freedom and constitutionally limited government. The elected officials who bear our standard must also hold our values and fight to protect them.
There is a fight right now for the heart and soul of the Republican Party. On one side are the “Republicans in Name Only” who helped grow government by unacceptable margins when they were in the Washington majority. They fought against earmark reform while passing new big government programs. Then, late last year, we saw the fastest expansion in the size, scope and power of the federal government in our nation’s history. Bailouts, corporate takeovers, stimulus packages – all are part of what’s wrong with our country right now, and some in “our Party” have been right there in the thick of it.
This has held true at the state and county levels as well, as state government grew 40% from 2004-2007, and as county councils around the state not only spent more, but raised taxes to do it.
On the other side of this divide are strong, core conservatives like Senator Jim DeMint. Jim has taken strong, principled stands in the tradition of my hero, President Ronald Reagan. Jim has fought against the rising tide of socialism in our nation, against the bank takeovers, against the nationalization of General Motors, against amnesty for illegal immigrants, against the generational theft of the so-called stimulus plan, against the waste of earmark spending, against the government takeover of health care, and against “Cap-and-trade.”
I have stood with Senator DeMint for years as a conservative columnist writing in the Orangeburg Times and Democrat. Now I was faced with a further decision: would I stand up for these conservative principles not just in print, but in action?
Would I take this to the next level and work as an elected official to roll back the growth of government, to stand in the gap against those who would undermine our free market system and the values that have held our nation together for more than two centuries?
Would I make myself the target of the slings and arrows of the entrenched establishment on behalf of my fellow South Carolinians to return our state to its rightful place as a beacon of freedom and liberty for the rest of our nation to follow?
I decided that I would make that stand. The motivation to take this huge step and get involved has been generated by the massive explosion of government and disappointment with the GOP giving in on such important values. I’m running for state-level office because I believe we must fix the problem one state at a time and South Carolina can be the example.
Working with the next Governor, I want to make South Carolina a “Shining City on a Hill” by showing that freedom works and government is not the answer. Our state government is full of waste and redundancy and needs true “outsiders” to come in and clean it up. We don’t need more seat-hopping professional politicians.
And that is why I am running.
Sola Fide,
Bill
ABOUT BILL: Bill Connor is an Infantry Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserves who received the Bronze Star for his service in combat as the senior American advisor in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Since returning from deployment, Bill continued his work as an attorney practicing corporate defense law in Columbia, and as the Chairman of the Board of Orangeburg Christian Academy. Bill is a graduate of the Citadel and USC Law School. Bill lives in Orangeburg with Susan, his wife of 18 years, and their three children Peyton, Brenna, and Will. They attend Christ Church of the Carolinas in Columbia.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of candidate columns that FITS will be publishing in 2010 as we move closer to the June primary elections. Every candidate for each statewide office (Republican, Democrat, you name it) has been invited to submit a 600-word opinion editorial (op-ed) providing our readers with the answer to a very simple question: “Why are you running?” That’s it … also, with every new column that runs, we will be providing links to all of the other opeds (for every office) so that readers can compare and contrast.
For more information on the “Why I’m Running” challenge, click here. Also, candidates who are ready to step up to the plate should go ahead and send their submissions directly to the boss at w@fitsnews.com.
By John Steinberger January 7, 2010 at 7:16 am
Bill Connor gives us a needed ousider’s perspective of how government has not been representative of the people. When you meet him and hear him, you come away with the feeling that he speaks from the heart and believes that the government needs to be more connected to the citizens it serves.
I find that refreshing in a candidate!
By Ynotfirst January 7, 2010 at 7:27 am
Doesn’t pass the smell test Bill.
By Bob January 7, 2010 at 7:40 am
Right on Bill! And that is why we are running along side to support you for Lt. Governor. We know now why this office is important and its equally important that you are elected in November.
By sclawboy January 7, 2010 at 8:43 am
So, um, what are you running for, exactly?
If you can’t give me that most basic of facts in your 600 words, you don’t stand a snowball’s chance.
By Recovering Lobbyist January 7, 2010 at 8:52 am
Running for which office?
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' January 7, 2010 at 9:00 am
Bill cheated on his wife in law school. He argues that women should not work but maintain traditional roles in the home, but his wife is a physician who’s income keeps his sorry as up. The guy is a hypocritical Nazi who is a disgrace to his nation and religion.
By Minto W. McGill January 7, 2010 at 9:57 am
So Connor is touting his attendance at something called Christ Church of the Carolinas? Isn’t that the home of Mark Sanford’s thrice-divorced “dear friend” and “spiritual giant” Cubby Culbertson? Odd that Connor and his family couldn’t find a church right there in Orangeburg to attend? First Baptist? First Presbyterian? Columbia seems a long way to go to church when you have plenty of fine churches right there in Orangeburg. I guess they don’t have Cubby. . .
By Soft Sigh From Hell January 7, 2010 at 11:06 am
I realize he is writing for a conservative audience here, the already convinced, but even then what a bunch of shallow, stock-position nothing, what a bunch of rusty boilerplate, what a pile of platitudes. Is there anybody really there or did some local committee assemble the persona by the sad “blah” criterion of all routine-product advertising committees: that which offends the fewest sells the most. Aren’t any real people available to run?
By sclawboy January 7, 2010 at 11:31 am
Why is he being billed as an attorney practicing in corporate defense law, which he did at a reputable firm for three years, when he is now an ambulance chaser?
http://www.hankhamilton.com/
By WorkingTommyC January 7, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hm…
If liberals are against him that’s a great sign to me!
I agree about the good things said about him. I was skeptical and I tried tripping him up at a public forum a few months ago and he passed with flying colors.
When you talk to him, he’s easily seen to be honest and forthright. I know from first hand reports that he is NOT a sleazy, win at all costs type of who will bow to political correctness. He actually thinks things through based on his principles.
He seems to be a dedicated, intelligent, energetic leader who has a respect for the US Constitution unlike 99% of the rest.
By Psssssst January 7, 2010 at 4:34 pm
I like Bill Connor. He has been to many of our GOP meetings and he is a true southern gentleman. He has sacrificed and given up his time with his family to try to make a difference in SC. after spending time in a hell hole in the middle east. The current establishment will not be able to control us through the nanny state they are creating. It’s no wonder they are attacking him personally, they really have a lot to lose. Backroom deals that sweeten the pot are hard to give up eh? If he was a go along to get along, party insider with no backbone they would be showering him with blessings. The Rep. Party has a bunch of whining leaders with an agenda and he is a threat to their good ole boy system. The more they FEAR him, the more they attack him. Judging by the ugly stuff they are saying, they must be scared shitless. He has my vote. Oh and yes… I am a conservative. It seems that the Ard camp came out in full force on this one. It’s bad when someone with the record of a hero can come home and be attacked almost as viciously as if he were among enemies. I figure it’s his camp but it could just as easily be the Scott camp, after all, it’s rumered that he too has a dark side. (No Pun Intended LOL)
By David January 7, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Wow. The libs and Ard supporters working together and slamming Connor yet again. How coincidental is that
By Soft Sigh From Hell January 7, 2010 at 10:53 pm
He has a whiff of Tetley.
By Barker January 8, 2010 at 2:28 am
Minto, you figure it. He doesn’t want to go to church in Oragneburg, and doesn’t want his kids to go to public school there either. Sounds like someone may think it to be a good time to light them crosses and don the sheets, don’t you think?
By Liberty For Me January 8, 2010 at 10:05 am
Without knowing anything else about him…I have the same problem with him as I do with DeMint.On the liberty side they talk (and DeMint votes) well.But they still promote the military industrial complex with phony patriotism…To me its just as bad as supporting socialized medicine.In fact I would rather have socialized medicine than bogus wars.At least we would be just blowing money here and not blowing young soldiers up and raiding homes and killing peoples families..encouraging terrorists.
By O'Brien January 8, 2010 at 10:55 am
Who objected when Wall Street got it’s handout? I only remember the liberal haters screaming about the bailout. All the while it was the conservatives who gave it up without hesitation. No sacrifice was too great to make for big business. But, watch the conservatives turn red and frothing at the mouth at the thought of giving food stamps to those terrible welfare queens. Bogus wars and all that seem a little strange. If it’s all about turning to the government as an answer to their problems, then why bother the government by taking pay for being in their service? They can’t afford to supply Kevlar vests for the troops but nobody minded when the 2005 inauguration party cost $40,000,000. What problems are specifically being spoken about? The problem of people calling police when someone breaks into their house? The problem of people calling the fire department when their dwelling catches fire? The problem of giving people enough food stamps to eat rice and some beans? The problem of giving billions and billions to CEOs who deliberately plundered the loot from the corporations they worked for and needed money to keep on doing it so the government helped them out? It’s tiresome to hear people complain about others looking to “the gubmint” or “insert name here” for their problems. What parasitical services are people living off of which are provided by the government? If you mean Wall Street bailouts, okay. They are a minority. What huuuuge percentage of people are taking advantage of the government? Keep in mind that any large percentage of people in the country likely consists of middle and lower class incomes. There is abuse in any system, but peasants can’t cheat anyone out of enough to worry about any longer because welfare was neutered many years ago and not by a Republican.
By WorkingTommyC January 8, 2010 at 11:52 am
I saw Connor last night at his open house and had a great time talking with him and other folks there–great group. Several of us there were veterans and we had some good conversations.
I talked to Bill for a bit before the guests arrived. Bill is really down to earth. He doesn’t put on airs like I’ve seen some of the others do. He is definitely active and engaged. Working class folks like me were welcome there as were others.
Bill Connor comes from a background the far greater majority of us share: he is NOT a career politician. He is making sacrifices and already working hard by stepping up to the plate to take office for a while to truly serve rather than to BE served at the taxpayer trough like so many typical politicians do. His non-political background is the best thing in his resume.
I do not agree with Bill Connor on absolutely everything–though 95+% is pretty darned good–but I agree with him 100% on the big three defining issues, in my opinion, of the day: I’m against amnesty, against socialized medicine, and against cap and trade. These are three essential issues that have affected, or could profoundly affect, us as individual citizens in our states and yet again work to further corrode what tenuous remains of state sovereignty and consent of the governed that are left to us.
I had a couple of good, fun debates in the corner of the room with one or two other guests. Of course, we all would not have been there if we did not support the far greater number of issues and basic philosophies we all have in common with Bill Connor–whether we support different folks for other offices or not. Good, honorable people can disagree and discuss the issues without being disagreeable, I found out again last night.
The main thing all of us in the corner agreed on was the need to find people running for office who will speak up and speak out as Connor will. Instead we are frequently being given the choice of candidates who habitually stay non-committal and evasive in the hopes that others will project their own beliefs and hopes on a “blank slate” candidate.
We NEED conversations in public going back and forth, up and down and even sideways on basic principles and beliefs on governance. We do NOT want politicians who will sleaze their way in the effort to gain power and money and are only right by coincidence rather than due to their standing on sound principles.
We don’t need to hear “both” sides of issues, we need to hear ALL sides. There’s no “happy medium” between the big government politicians of both major parties. There is only more sleazy politics. We need to bring the Republican party back to its own platform based on the natural or God-given, unalienable rights of individuals and their rights to govern themselves.
We also don’t need people to go into a discussion on an issue ready to compromise in a “one-step forward, two steps back” sort of approach as the Republicans have been doing for far too long. We want them standing on principle, taking pro-active steps in restoring our rights, and making the OTHER side compromise for a change.
The conversation has already shifted towards liberty in this country despite the uptick of corruption and extreme socialism by many in both parties. Our politicians need to catch up and act like they have a backbone for a change. If you don’t want divisiveness and arguments and hot tempers and so on, then don’t get involved in politics. We want FIGHTERS!
Connor is far above and beyond the other candidates for Lt. Governor. In conversations and emails I’ve had with him, I’m convinced he has good experience in dealing with difficulties and is, like all good leaders, willing and able to learn and take advice when the situation calls for it.
It is obvious to me that Connor, through his extensive military background in addition to his active involvement in his community and as a family man, can handle the current bad times and potentially worse times ahead. I’m convinced that Connor will proceed with strong, fair leadership that respects the rule of law and looks out for the interests of South Carolina.
I highly recommend Bill Connor for Lt. Governor. I’m hard pressed to find ANYONE as intelligent, energetic, or of equally high character running for ANY office. So far this election cycle, it’s just been Bill Connor and a couple of others (whom I will endorse separately).
DISCLAIMER: I am not in any position in Mr. Connor’s campaign but have supported his campaign with a donation. Someone of Bill Connor’s caliber is a very rare find in my 25 years of (on-and-off) citizen activism. Please find out more about his man and if you like what you find out from reputable sources, please go here to help support him: http://voteconnor.com/
A little or a lot from EACH of us who are concerned about saving our state from the ages old cycle of endless corruption can make a REAL difference in supporting Bill Connor.
By Joseph W. January 8, 2010 at 2:15 pm
I too am a supporter of Bill Connor.
I find it hard to believe how those career politicians try to slander folks like Bill. It’s amazing how scared they’re showing themselves to be right now. Bill Connor is a fine human being and super conservative, which is what we need. I found out a great deal of what I know of him through his testimony. Please take the time to look at it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj9KrKs2oZg
By Soft Sigh From Hell January 8, 2010 at 4:42 pm
I now remember what this pile of piffle reminds me of. Those smarmy shallow screeds that would win the American Legion or DAR student essay contests on “What America means to me.” Writings targeted to the least-sophisticated thinkers. Rotary Club. Babbitts.
By Barker January 8, 2010 at 4:59 pm
JW, it’s not slander. Why do you think he doesn’t want to interact with the (mostly poor and black) population of the Orangeburg area?
Light up a cross so I’ll know you’re ready with your answer.
By Preston January 8, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I wish Bill did a better job of articulating what he intends to do if elected, rather than rattling off about his time in Afghanistan. As Lt. Governor, he would have no influence over foreign policy. Nevertheless, it is all he ever talks about.
A lot of SC Conservatives are not militarists, and it does not impress us when he talks about his time occupying other people’s country.
By David January 9, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Barker, your remarks are idiotic. Charges of racism are totally out of line and you’d not be making them if not hiding behind a computer screen.
It looks to me like Bill Connor interacts with all, regardless of race, religion or political preference.
What I’m sure he wouldn’t have time for is fools like you throwing out comments that have no basis in fact or reality.
Crawl back into your liberal ivory tower and throw your stones elsewhere.
By WorkingTommyC January 11, 2010 at 10:15 am
These are some of the issues and where he stands:
http://voteconnor.com/index.php/values/
• Protect Life. Our state currently has a one-hour waiting limit for abortion. Most states have a 24-hour waiting period, while ours is at one hour. Saving lives is worth taking the time make sure the right decisions are made. Of course, my preference would be to do away with abortion altogether . . .
• End the tax on military and law enforcement retirement. We have 56,000 military retirees bringing over $1.14 Billion a year in retiree income . . . I want to work with the senate to end the tax on military retirement and on law enforcement retirement. I also want to increase the “homestead exemption” to bring in more non-military retirees.
• End income tax in SC. I want to work with the Governor and Senate to end the state corporate and income tax. Ending these taxes is the simple, but proven, way to bring business to SC. Texas has shown the way in this regard. Government doesn’t create jobs, private enterprise creates jobs. Private enterprise will go the most financially advantageous locations. Additionally, instead of spending massive state benefits to catch one “big fish”. . . ending these taxes helps SC small business. We would go to a state consumption tax to make up the revenues and everyone would have to pay taxes–not just those who work hard . . .
• Energy Independence. Our state has the opportunity to jump start economic development by doing two things: building new nuclear reactors to generate electricity and drilling offshore for natural gas. Nuclear is proven and its clean . . . It’s also important to note that natural gas exploration can (and must) be undertaken in a way that presents no threat to our tourism industry.
• State Sovereignty. There has been a movement of late to pass resolutions that declare the sovereignty of our state under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution (which reserves rights to the states that have not been granted to the federal government.) This needs to deepen. When we see crazy legislation coming out of Washington that threatens freedom, we need to take a stand and say “not here.” This means state legislation that says no to “public option” health care plans, “cap-and-trade”, or any of the other myriad ways the federal government has intervened in areas reserved for states. When I talk about making South Carolina a “Shining City on a Hill,” this is what I mean – making our state a place that holds to our values of life, liberty and limited government in a way that empowers other states to follow our example and return to our foundational Constitutional principles.
• Constitutional Mindset. We want a Constitutionally minded conservative person who knows the Laws of this state as Lt. Governor. All legislation goes through the Lt. Governor, and as a conservative Law School graduate I will know what to look for in saving our state money and ensuring we pass laws that will work.
• School Choice. The education debacle can be ended with one word: Competition. We need more charter schools, tax credits for private and home schooling. This will allow parents the method to “vote with their feet”, therefore ending failing schools and rewarding ones that work. We spend almost $12,000 per student for a system that produces the lowest SAT scores and graduation rates in the nation. We need to improve that return on investment by mandating that more money reach the classroom instead of the bureaucracy.
By UShouldKnowBetter January 11, 2010 at 10:27 am
David,
People who don’t like Connor are not always associated with a rival political camp.
I don’t like him because I went to law school with him. Plain and simple.
By David January 12, 2010 at 6:34 am
UShouldKnowBetter
If you knew me in school, you probably wouldn’t like me either, who knows.
Now, at this point in my life, hardly anyone meeting me doesn’t come away feeling like they’ve met someone they could be great friends with.
Fact is, life experiences have changed all of us to some point. I’m sure many of us have things from our school days we aren’t necessarily proud of or want to brag about.
I’m not going to vote for candidates based on what they were in school, whether it be kindergarten, High School or Law School. I’m basing my opinions on who they are now and proven to be dealing with issues regarding their families and their relationship with God.
I didn’t know Bill in law school, but I have known him well for quite some time and read his articles for the last seven years. He’s proven to me he’s uniquely qualified to hold statewide office here and a much better choice than most of those running for Gov, Lt Gov, Congress or Senate at state or federal level.
WorkingTommyC posted some of the issues and where Bill Connor stands. I’m much more concerned with those than what he did in law school.
By hypocrisy January 15, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Is it not a concern for his supporters that he’s an adulterer parading himself as a pious Christian?
If you sat through one Constitutional law class with him, you’ll know he’s not a conservative, he’s a reactionary.
By RONNIE HYDER May 28, 2010 at 9:23 am
EVERY BODY TALKS ABOUT WELFARE , FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT PAY TAXES &DUES BUT THEY GET PUT DOWN BECAUSE THEY MIGHT NEED HELP!!!!!!!EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE ,I HAVE WORKED ALL MY LIFE MY HEALTH WENT BAD ON ME ,I NEED MEDICAL HELP CAN NOT AFORD INS. BUT I MAKE TO MUCH MONEY TO GET HELP,BUT IF I WAS NOT FORM AMERICA I COULD GET ALL THE HELP I NEEDED FOR FREEEE!!!!!! AND ALSO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES!!!!!! WHICH I STILL PAY ALL MY DUES SO THEY CAN GET ALL THEY WANT. NOW WHO OUT THERE HAS A BACK BONE TO STAND UP FOR THE LAW!!!!!!!THAT IS ON THE BOOKS .I DON NOT CARE WHAT SCHOOL YOU WENT TO ,OR HOW YOU WERE RISED SEND THE PEOPLE BACK TO WHERE THEY BELONG ,SO THEN JUST MAYBE I CAN GET THE HELP I NEED THAT MY TAXE!!!!! DOLLARS PAY PAYS FOR THEM DO THINK.
By JSN September 7, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I’m a long time, friend of the Connor’s. Just recently, I was pointed to this article by a mutual friend and I’m shocked and appalled at the lies and attacks. If the truth is distorted it becomes a lie and that’s exactly what I see has happened. I’m going to attempt to set the record straight.
I firmly believe that the long, slandering comments above were clearly made by the “woman” in question, who will not use her name. From what I understand to be the truth, the main reason she will not use her name is that she is a serial “home wrecker” with multiple marriages to men who were previously married (with young children) when she “met” them. Some of the former wives hate her for breaking up the marriages and still seek her out. Anyone will be able to check this history if she uses her name. The initials of one of the women who lost her husband: CS (used to be CL, until her husband PL divorced her). CS is still upset and only remembers being harrassed during the divorce by the woman who stole her husband.
The woman attempted to get Bill, but he was the one husband who got away. He changed sections to get away from her to save his marriage. She stalked him after he changed sections. To save her own reputation, she slandered Bill to as many people as possible in her law school section (including professors) making him out to be the bad guy. Some of those students bought into this garbage and are now making every harsh comment possible about Bill. They do not know about this woman’s history.
Bill was a token conservative in law school and made many enemies because he was an outspoken Christian who argued for Christian issues. He tells everyone his story of having been born again during that first year in law school.
Bill’s life is an open book. If people want an honest assessment of Bill’s character, they can speak with those he has served with in the military through most of his life (including fellow cadets at The Citadel). They can speak with those who worked with him at Murphy-Grantland, or Hamilton and Associates, the two firms he practiced after law school. They can speak with people in Orangeburg SC. They can read his evaluation reports from the military. They will find nothing about Bill hitting on other women or any hint of accusation of unfaithfulness.
Bill has been married for over 19 years to the same woman. They have raised 3 wonderful children and Bill is known as a born-again Christian, faithful husband and doting father. He volunteered to defend this great nation, and his family went through the sacrifice of 15 months of wartime separation. He has told everyone he is a “sinner saved by grace” and knows he is not perfect. I believe he made a mistake in law school, but attempted to do the right thing.
The comments about Bill’s military service are garbage. When he took leave from law school, Bill joined back up with the military and did deploy to Korea with the 263rd AAMDC. When he started back in law school, he did not “tell everyone he went to Iraq”, but did tell some he went overseas and joined back up in the military. Additionally, some commenter “veteran” claim Bill lied in his e-mail blast when he claimed go to Ranger School only days after getting married. This is verifiable fact. He graduated The Citadel in 1990, and went to IOBC and Bradley Commander’s Course in 1990-1991. On June 15, 1991 Bill was married and before the end of June he started in Ranger School class 10-91. He was in the last class to finish in Dugway, Utah and graduated Sept 3. This is all verifiable record. As a side note, most of the vicious comments were made as Bill and Susan were celebrating 19 years of marriage.
Bill had never run for office, but felt called to this mission. This came after 15 months of mobilization to Afghanistan. He and his family did not deserve this slander against their name. They have served our state and nation for 20 years, and yet his children will have to read all the hateful things written about their daddy some day. Most of it is coming from a woman who has made it her mission to destroy as many families as possible. Let’s not join in hurting this family.