By FITSNews || It’s been a bizarre election cycle here in South Carolina – one that will no doubt have a special place in the state’s already “colorful” political history once November 2010 finally rolls around.
Which reminds us … can November hurry up and get here already?
Seriously …
Anyway, much of the recent craziness stems from the increasingly brutal competition among new media outlets and the mainstream press (or “legacy” media, as our founding editor calls them) for stories. Contrary to popular perception, though, it was the MSM – not the blogs – which sent us hurtling down this road toward journalistic oblivion, at least as far as the Palmetto state’s dirty laundry is concerned.
Seriously, people, the moment The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper published Gov. Mark Sanford’s racy emails with Maria Belen Chapur last June, all bets were off – and have remained off. Amid the cacophony of noise related to the various scandals, though, a simple question is no doubt being asked right now by Palmetto state voters.
Simply put, “what matters?”
Seriously … why should you vote for (or against) a certain candidates.
First, in our opinion, here is a list of good reasons to vote for (or against) a particular candidate:
Voting record (particularly when it comes to fiscal responsibility, individual liberty)
Position on the role of government (i.e. are they free market backers?)
Position on taxes and spending
Personal financial record
Corporate financial performance (i.e. have their companies failed? succeeded?)
Previous political experience/ performance
Commitment to government transparency
Consistency of public statements
Fulfillment of prior campaign promises
Now (also in our opinion) are a list of items that we believe should NOT – we repeat NOT - influence your decision to vote for (or against) a particular candidate:
Physical appearance
Race
Religion
Sexual orientation
Marital status
Marital fidelity (unless they lie about it)
Birthplace/ where they live (a.k.a. “regionalism”)
Endorsements (i.e. who is or isn’t supporting their candidacy)
Obviously, there are literally tens of thousands of voters in South Carolina who will make their selection in November based on items in that first grouping – but there will also be tens of thousands of voters who make their choice based on an item (or items) in that second grouping.
For example, plenty of people will probably vote for Nikki Haley simply because they think she’s got attractive stems (btw, it’s nice to see her taking our founding editor’s “no pantsuit” advice these days) just as plenty of people will likely vote for Vincent Sheheen because he’s white – and because he sounds like they do.
Also in South Carolina, regionalism (i.e. voting for the “hometown” candidate) is particularly pronounced – something that we believe has had disastrous effects for the state as a whole.
Finally, it’s very important to remember that there is a huge gulf between what people say is important to them and what they actually pay attention to – which was on display during the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal.
So … “what matters” to you? What items would you add/ subtract from our lists?
To the comments!
By George June 16, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I will definitely be sad when the SC elections are over because no more comic relief then. Maybe Folks can cook up another story, eh?
By Hermione June 16, 2010 at 4:07 pm
I’m curious. You say that “marital fidelity” is not something we should consider when evaluating a candidate… unless a candidate has lied about it. How did you come to that conclusion? Both adultery AND bearing false witness are forbidden by the Ten Commandments. Both suggest a weakness in character and a willingness to deceive. I’m just wondering why you – and lots of other people, apparently – think one is acceptable in a candidate while the other is not? It seems to me that if adultery’s okay in your book, lying should be equally okay. (Possibly even MORE okay, since the adultery is for sheer personal gratification, while the lying about it is, presumably, to protect the feelings of loved ones.) Please explain your position.
By eggaday June 16, 2010 at 4:24 pm
maybe that’s your list Sic but my priorities in a candidate are far different.
first, i want no previous experience, end of story , period.
there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between an R and a D, so how bout honesty, lack of ethical problems??
that is really way up there on my list.
By piepton June 16, 2010 at 4:26 pm
I think the fidelity question comes down to a question about the marriage relationship. If it is a marriage of convenience or has become one (which seems quite common in politics) then there is no deception because both partners know what is going on. In fact, I would argue that the ability to get into somebody’s pants requires the very skills (negotiation and ability to compromise) that make a good politician.
On the other hand, ability and willingness to lie is problematic because it disables the population’s ability to know if they are being properly represented so that informed decisions can be made about that representation.
By ManWithoutaParty June 16, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Breast size. Has to be at least a D. Preferably under 35, as well.
By Costello June 16, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I only vote for candidates who have slept with Will Folks.
By Florida Watching June 16, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Character First – Gotta vote for honesty, integrity, intelligence.
Physical characteristics Second – Legs to the moon, boobs to the wall, hips on auto-vibrate, you get the idea.
By Paul Zimmerman June 16, 2010 at 4:57 pm
With his grind grind grind Darling Nikki story Sic has either broke No. 9 (false witness against his neighbor) or No. 10 (covet your neighbor’s wife) off the Top Ten list.
He’s also probably shredded No. 2 (making yourself an idol) and at least bent No. 5 (honor your parents).
Needless to say his priorities are different.
By The Colonel June 16, 2010 at 5:19 pm
“Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry, and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy people.”
G.Washington, 1789
Find me that man or woman who understands and aspires to those words an I’m all in.
By Pam in SC June 16, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Amen Colonel Flordia Watching(giggles to you)
By Florida Watching June 16, 2010 at 5:34 pm
You know……..Slick Willie created this whole article to focus on just one thing………
“Marital fidelity (unless they lie about it)”
He knows the Naughty Nikki campaign is monitoring this 24/7. He is doing his best to still give them a way out. To save face. To come clean. He knows he broke some rules…….and he confessed. Now, since he tried to help via that dimlight campaign manager to make things right…..he has been slammed. His feelings are hurt. Naughty Nikki lied through those pearly whites to avoid looking like an easy, sleazy, unfaithful, hypocrit..so that Sic Willie looks like a revengeful sleaze-ball. Yeah, he screwed up and came clean. Look where that got him with the Naughty Nikki Committee. I’m rooting for Sic Willie. He’s trying to do the right thing. This article is for Nikki………PAID ATTENTION!!!!!!
By thesushi June 16, 2010 at 5:44 pm
nice.
By Steve V June 16, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I agree with Manwithoutaparty. The size of the front porch is crucial. In an emergency, they can be used as a floatation device…or a pillow.
By Florida Watching June 16, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Details: Sic Willie is giving the Naughty Nikki Gang one more chance to come clean.
“Marital fidelity (unless they lie about it)”
You all over at Nikki’s camp please pay attention. This is for your benefit. Sic Willie wants a confession before he has to lower the boom. He is getting impatient. Come clean and take your medicine. OR is it too late?
By Just Another SC Voter June 16, 2010 at 7:14 pm
To quote a few of you.. your requirements include:
“Breast size. Has to be at least a D” by Manwithoutparty
(Sounds like Jake Knotts to me. He’s indeed at least a D!)
“Boobs to the wall, hips on auto-vibrate” by Florida Watching
(Well, He is wall to wall boob and just give ole Jakie a crispy creme and yes Sir-ee, those hips are on auto-vibrate)
And my personal favorite…
“The size of the front porch is crucial. In an emergency, they can be used as a floatation device…or a pillow.” by Steve V
(Definitely another Jake Knotts description especially the floatation device)
I would have never guessed in a million years that Jake Knotts has so many fans. No wonder he stays elected. You three must be proud.
By SubZeroIQ June 16, 2010 at 8:55 pm
We should be trying to figure out how to stop the oil leak in the Gulf, not where Alvin Green got his 10K filing fee or whether FITS kissed Nikki.
You people are fiddling while Rome burns, rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic after it hit the iceberg.
Listen! There is a run off that really matter because the candidate’s character affects his job and his job affects all of us in Kershaw and Richland Counties. It is the runoff for Fifth Circuit Solicitor between John Meadors and Dan Johnson.
Unless FITS is on Meadors’ payroll, I’d like to write a quick true serial:
MONEY, MADNESS, MURDER AND MEADORS.
Look for it today and tomorrow, God willing and FITS agreeing.
By Bob June 16, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Character counts, so infidelity is a stike against the candidate. Lying about it is strike 2 & 3. Having said that, Bill Clinton was a great president and received my vote twice.
By sid June 16, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Does fecal matter?
By Whippersnapper June 16, 2010 at 9:37 pm
By Florida Watching on June 16th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Details: Sic Willie is giving the Naughty Nikki Gang one more chance to come clean.
“Marital fidelity (unless they lie about it)”
You all over at Nikki’s camp please pay attention. This is for your benefit. Sic Willie wants a confession before he has to lower the boom. He is getting impatient. Come clean and take your medicine. OR is it too late?
*****************************************************************
Florida Watching, the psychiatric nurses are calling you; time to take your meds!
By Democratic Primary Voter June 16, 2010 at 10:29 pm
The order in which the candidates are listed on the ballot is HUGE!
By Bocotton Stormfield June 16, 2010 at 11:23 pm
I agree with Florida watching. Will has all the time in the world, now. He has done a great job of keeping his powder dry. Don’t expect any new dirt until after the runoff. Nikki will mop the floor with Barrett; then when she sits, uncontested, at the top of the ballot, (actually Al Greene will have that honor, come to think of it) Sheheen will eat her lunch (Please!! I said LUNCH, not MUNCH. Vince is totally square in that regard.)
By Esquire June 17, 2010 at 12:03 am
So Leighton Lord gave money to Vincent Sheheen, does FITS recommend voting for or against him?
By phil tup June 17, 2010 at 12:43 am
to: Florida Watching on June 16th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
i too, was once a believer. but now i feel like sic willie has double crossed those who believed and supported him. there’s been plenty of time to provide substantial, verifiable, additional circumstantial evidence – loads of it, clearly incriminating.
and yet, he hasn’t produced anything, and now i believe he won’t. if you’ll notice, gone are the self righteous, indignant posts and intimidating threats. and see, still no lawsuit from naughty nikki. coincidence?
so, nikki’s won the day by denying and lying, and folks has come to his senses about his future, and who’s gonna be sitting in the luv guv’s chair for at least the next 4 years (and prolly, 8).
at least he’s smart enough to see that he gets nothing out of taking her down now (though i am sure that he could). so, soon enough, all of the out-of-staters and online gawkers like you and i will fade away, on to the next bright and shiny scandal, served up like roasted fly in ointment. and “this” will all just be another “a bizarre election cycle here in South Carolina”. in the end, hypocrisy wins, its nothing more, and everything less.
By Florida Watching June 17, 2010 at 7:54 am
Whipperwhoever:
Give up……….
By Florida Watching June 17, 2010 at 8:12 am
phil tub – Yup, you are making way too much sense. But the bottom line is that cheaters and liars win. They win all the time. Naughty Nikki and No Homor Connor have no integrity. None.
By FunkyChicken June 17, 2010 at 11:51 am
I will vote for Paul Thurmond next Tuesday, in part, because he has a beautiful family. As a father myself, I look to see if the candidate has a family, so that I can reasonably expect the candidate understands the issues surrounding family. This is exactly why I cannot vote for Tim Scott. Tim Scott is 45 years old and has never been with a woman and has certainly never thought about having a family. Tim Scott will eventually come out of the closet and I will not be the one to be blamed when he is in Washington doing his thing with Lindsey Graham.
By Florida Watching June 17, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Ahhhhh……..Lindsey needs love too. But I understand. Sooooo, does Tim claim to be normal? Maybe his love machine lacks length….girth…..I don’t know anything about this. Got more examples????
By Muffin June 17, 2010 at 6:54 pm
I just can’t belive that the SC Democratic Party is about to remove the rights of a negro man who won the primary for a Senate run! How can they treat the black (or negro) man this way? This is backwards.
By Florida Watching June 17, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Dude…..are you from this century?
By C20H26N2O June 17, 2010 at 8:21 pm
So… if Will waits til after the primary to disclose, then he tilts the election in the Dem’s favour. Hmmm… Who really is behind Will Folks? I notice that Florida Watching is posting, but no Paris. What’s up with that? You’re slipping Florida P. Sylum. You like to talk about men’s private parts a bit too much for me. But the real tell-tale sign is…. you like the word “naughty”. Does it give you gasms to say the words? Go ahead – say it over and over to yourself…Naughty Nikki – Naughty Nikki – Naughty Nikki – Naughty Nikki – Naughty Nikki. Catch your breath now Florida P.
I can see BS from anywhere.
By Florida Watching June 17, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Hey C20H26N20 – Hmmmmm, seems to me a frazzle nerve got tweeked? Did it snap???? You from Holy Haley’s Camp trying to dampen this string? I’ll go with Holy Haley……….same idea………the Hypocrisy. I miss Balsak. That is one really great commentator. Perhap if you continue on, we can get some of the greats back.
No don’t forget No Honor Connor……….can’t have gender bias here. Yeah, Holy Haley…..thanks dude, that tells it all.
By C20H26N2O June 17, 2010 at 9:15 pm
I wasn’t responsible for the site crash this morning. Am I blacklisted???
By Whippersnapper June 17, 2010 at 9:17 pm
By Florida Watching on June 17th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Hey C20H26N20 – Hmmmmm, seems to me a frazzle nerve got tweeked? Did it snap???? You from Holy Haley’s Camp trying to dampen this string? I’ll go with Holy Haley……….same idea………the Hypocrisy. I miss Balsak. That is one really great commentator. Perhap if you continue on, we can get some of the greats back.
No don’t forget No Honor Connor……….can’t have gender bias here. Yeah, Holy Haley…..thanks dude, that tells it all.
**************************************************************
Nurse!! Quick …. it sounds as though “Florida Watching” has had a stroke. She’s babbling nonsense!! Quick, let’s get her to a stroke center and try to save the little left of her brain matter.
By Florida Watching June 17, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Whipperwhoever – same old theme, try something original. Attacking me is pointless and boring………. it doesn’t change the fact that Naughty Nikki……. Hypocrisy Haley…….. whatever, made her bed, slept in it with multiple partners, decided to deny it, and now has No Honor Connor keeping the flame alive. But don’t let me get in the way of you licking her feet. My as well lick his feet too.
By sober rover June 18, 2010 at 12:31 am
sic willie is still the grandmasterflash at his chosen profession.
his forthcoming book(possibly entitled Politics Old School/New School: My Role in the Love Gov and Haley’s Shooting Star political campaigns)
will be released one of two times
mid-Sept(soon enough for a tearful “I did nothing wrong but am quitting to spend more time with my hubby who has of course absolutely nothing to forgive me for other than a penchant for working 24 hours…” and either plan A:Yes I said I’d resign but really, isn’t everyone doing it? or
plan B: I resign, and the committee already has someone in the wings
OR
early Feb(valentine’s is so fitting) and “Yes I said I’d resign but I am governor now and having re-thunk my previous words, I have decided my state needs me”
like today’s NBA finals, its all about suspense except for the home town fans…
By Andy June 18, 2010 at 5:14 am
Bizarre election cycle. What? Bizarre? In SC?
Be careful; describing business as usual as bizarre will offend the good ole boys.
By Florida Watching June 18, 2010 at 7:40 am
At least NN is a Good Old Girl.
By Florida Watching June 18, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Oooooooh OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH, Girls who wanna have fun ………. ohhhhhhhh girls who wanna have fun fun.