By FITSNews || There’s literally more “fallout” than we know what to do with from Wednesday’s big story about S.C. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom and S.C. Superintendent of Education candidate Kelly Payne – two Republicans whose romantic relationship became public knowledge after the couple’s private emails were leaked to the media.
Obviously, we have many thoughts (as we’re sure you do) on this whole thing, but before we start assessing the affair and its impact, one thing stood out in the coverage of liberal La Socialista (a.k.a. The State newspaper) – which of course attempted to turn the whole affair into an indictment of the reform movement.
From La Socialista’s story:
Those who had endorsed Payne’s campaign, including House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham, R-Lexington, said they now are in wait-and-see mode.
“I’ll need to talk to Kelly. I think she ought to evaluate her situation,” Bingham said.
Talk about a dagger in the back …
Irrespective of what you think of Payne’s conduct, is that a typical political response or what?
In fact, we plugged it into our handy-dandy bureaucratic translator and Bingham’s quote came out as follows:
I am with you as long as things are going well. If not, screw you – you are on your own.
Seriously, people. This “Dapper Dan” man would sell out his own kids if it meant protecting his political hide.
As our founding editor can relate from personal experience, though, “Dapper Dan’s” reaction to Payne’s public misfortune is all too common in Palmetto political circles, where today’s friend is tomorrow’s appetizing carcass.
It’s reflexive … involuntary.
By Gov'tAcctBalance= -12.5 Trillion (andcounting) February 18, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Fit’s I don’t know if I would classify this as an affair, let alone news worthy. Two single adults in a consenting relationship have had their e-mails (private e-mails I believe) leaked/hacked. What happening to protecting the liberties of US citizens, granted they are public figures but I would hope people are more concerned with lowering taxes and getting rid of 75% of the SC House and Senate.
By SCHotline February 18, 2010 at 3:51 pm
GovAcctBalance,
In SC it is called illegal… but that is not the only illegal activity by the CG is there…
By Huhhh??? February 18, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Since the emails I read yesterday were all from Eckstrom (whose spokeman said he is not interested in investigating how they got out), from only one of the parties, it makes me wonder if there’s a family member on one of the sides mad about the relationship, got access to the stuff and leaked?
I don’t see either one of these 2nd and 3rd tier types of much interst to anyone who would actually go to the trouble of hacking a computer.
By Richard February 18, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I think what’s illegal here is Bingham as Majority Leader, his engineering firm getting favorable state and county contracts, and registering all his company vehicles in another county for lower property taxes.
By Say So February 18, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Kenny doesn’t think before he speaks. He is an emotional guy and that makes him Kenny. But, that doesn’t mean that is what a majority leader should be. And I know he doesn’t need to replace Dan Cooper. More on that later!