By FITSNews || Former S.C. Senator John R. Russell (R-Spartanburg) has resigned from the S.C. Policy Council’s board of directors – the first in what could be a stream of departures from the governing body of this conservative think tank turned new media outlet. Russell, who also served as a legislative aide to Gov. Mark Sanford, was not immediately available for comment, although multiple sources tell FITS that he was displeased with the “new direction” of the organization.
Based on grant money tied to several as-yet-undisclosed corporate entities, the Policy Council has shifted its mission over the last year to focus on new media efforts – namely its website The Nerve. As a result, the organization is no longer as engaged in the policy arena as it used to be.
Has this shift paid off?
Not according to site traffic.
Despite its massive infusion of cash, The Nerve is currently competing against the bottom-feeders of the Palmetto political blogosphere, including poorly-read websites like Wolfe Reports or SC Hotline.
Obviously, the site is still young, but 1,200 unique visits a month (compared to more than 70,000 for FITS or 270,000 for The State.com) just isn’t going to cut it.
Also, FITS has spoken with several current conservative Senators who are concerned that the Policy Council’s new focus is depriving them of research that they need to effectively fight for fiscally responsible policy from the floor of the State Senate.
“We’re going into battle empty-handed,” one conservative Senator told FITS.
By baker April 2, 2010 at 11:40 am
I was never particularly impressed with the Policy Council’s “research” — much like the “investigative reports” by the SCRG folks. Still, the emphasis on the “new media” and, I imagine, even more blatant propaganda seems kind of hokey for an organization that boasts the name Policy Council.
By crackahasscrackah April 2, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Old timers remember when the Policy Council was founded. It was then and always has been considered a joke among those legislators who substantively impact public policy (you know the ones – the Republicans that Folks calls RINOs and the Democrats that the squishy soft liberals call DINOS or DLC’ers or “Mossbacks”).
But seriously, nobody that matters when it comes to policy in SC has ever cared one whit about the SC Policy Council. They might as well have gone into the blogging business. Folks posts cooler pictures though so I’ll just keep coming back here for my “unique visits.”
By Wes Wolfe April 2, 2010 at 9:11 pm
What’s that I hear from up Lee Street? Yeah, it’s the mewling of a 30+-year-old child. What, did Rick Quinn and Ashley Landess not make their payment on time to you this month?
By carl April 3, 2010 at 10:01 am
The Policy Council brought attention to the Sembler giveaway which would probably been rubber stamped if it wasn’t for them. The House just past transparency bill that stemmed from their work. The Bass Pro incentives are getting second looks because of their work on how incentives don’t work.
Pretty huge victories for the group lately. And it seems more activists concerned about government are getting involved with the Policy Council
This is typical hearsay nonsense from FITS
By yo April 3, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Since Ed McMullen left the Policy Council is dead. Thay did provide a ton of research that was heavily relied upon. But now they are just some anti government group with no credibility. When Sandord goes they will go. But you have to ask why do they not do research any more? Its because Ashley doesn’t know anything about policy. She has always been shrill and now the organization is a function of her personality.
By please. . . . April 3, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Right, everyone seriously interested in policy turns the intellectuals of Tittsnews.
By fitsnews April 3, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Tittsnews … Love it!
-Titts
By Mr. Darcy April 3, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Ah, Mr. Folks is neither pride nor prejudice. He is Mr. Wickham. Be careful, Wickham, fair-weathered friends don’t always fare well. When Howie “rich” leaves town, and eventually he will, he won’t take you with him. You’ve sold your soul, but it’s not too late. It’s Easter. Repent. It might hit your “bills” for awhile, but more times than not pain comes with doing what’s right. You’re young and stupid now, but you can’t say that for too much longer. In reality, what you can’t afford is not to do the next right thing.
By FITSNews April 3, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Mr. Darcy-
“you gentlemen
ought to expand
you’re going to need
a helping hand, now
so, gentlemen
well, what about me?
we’ll make a little
business history …
… well we build it up
and i buy ‘em out
but, man they made me
grind it out, now
they open up a new place
flipping meat
so i do, too
right across the street
i got the name
i need the town
they sell up in the end
and it all shuts down
sometimes you gotta
be an s.o.b.
you wanna make a dream
reality
competition?
send ‘em south
if they’re gonna drown
put a hose in their mouth
do not pass go
go straight to hell
(mmmm) i smell that
meat hook smell.”
-Wickham
By Mr. Darcy April 3, 2010 at 3:50 pm
The lady doth protest too much, methinks. Having said that, not bad.
By sensibility April 3, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I thought FITS opposed Sembler, too? What am I missing in the insinuations here?
By BIN News Editorial Staff April 3, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Use the korrect name: S.C. Policy Scam Council. And it’s media effort called “The Nerds.” Just paid political p@mps.
Over time, they’re like the “Today’s Tuneage.”
“Dust in the Wind.”
Our Funding Editor has a softspot for one hit wonders like sic(k) willie, the policy scam council, s.c. ir-responsible voucher scams (we don’t hear much from them anymore), the voice for voucher clowns, etc. etc. etc.
“Tittsnews.” Our Funding Editor thinks that’s great.
By "Former" news April 3, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Wow, talk about a former story. Maybe after Former Senator Russell resigns, he’ll grab up one of those former legislator car tags.
By jeffy April 3, 2010 at 8:43 pm
when McMuffin left…it went down hill in a hurry. They were barely relevant then…now…nada, zilch, nothing. Kinda of like BINs IQ…doesnt exist.
By the way….no porn on this post? Lame.
By Real Roger April 4, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Policy Council has plenty of substantive research. Boys in the Statehouse — and their lobbyist/consultant friends — just don’t like it because it focuses on everything they are doing wrong. Unleashing Capitalism is good economics, exactly what this state needs, and the only policy approach that is going to change anything for the better. As long as the legislature resists it, we’ll keep going downhill in every way possible.
By conservative republican April 5, 2010 at 5:15 am
By Real Roger on April 4th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
“Policy Council has plenty of substantive research. Boys in the Statehouse — and their lobbyist/consultant friends — just don’t like it because it focuses on everything they are doing wrong.”
Amen to that “Real Roger”!
By Toyota Kawaski April 5, 2010 at 8:49 am
SC Policy Council and Nikki Bob Haley all flaming out
By vagabond April 7, 2010 at 9:27 am
Sounds to me like someone is concerned about the competition. Take away the T&A and the stories based strictly on rumor and it would be curious to see what FITSNews viewership would be.