U.S. Budget Chairman John Spratt gave a speech earlier this month bashing private accounts for America’s debt-laden Social Security system – a concept he supported in the not-too-distant past.
Of course what’s noteworthy about the embattled Congressman’s latest adventure in flip-flopping on this issue isn’t so much the Democratic talking points he regurgitates in this speech, it’s the way his handlers are continuing to limit public access to the fourteen-term incumbent. In fact, as Spratt was about to begin his address on Social Security, an attempt to videotape his remarks was shut down by one of his handlers.
“You’re not authorized to do that in here,” Spratt’s communications director Wayne Wingate scolds a would-be videographer, making a beeline toward his camera.
“Put it away, put it away, put it away,” Wingate insists, becoming increasingly agitated.
Seriously, people … this was a public event. And Spratt is a public official. What gives?
Well, in case you haven’t been following this race Spratt’s handlers have been doing this for months in an effort to shield their candidate – who has Parkinson’s disease – from questions about his increasingly liberal record. In fact here’s a refresher on Spratt’s definition of a “town hall” meeting. And here are a pair of clips that show just how out of touch – and “out of it” – Spratt was at those two meetings (click here and here).
No wonder he doesn’t want to be taped …
Anyway, here’s the link to Spratt’s speech if you care to hear it …
Meanwhile, Spratt’s opponent in November, fiscally conservative S.C. Senator Mick Mulvaney, told FITS earlier this year that he wants to have “multiple” debates over the course of the campaign with Spratt.
Wonder if the Congressman will refuse to let those be recorded as well?
By BadNewsMulvaney August 24, 2010 at 9:54 am
One more article from Big Bad Sic Willie bashing Mean ol’ John Spratt. Go ahead and write your endorsement of “Carpetbagger” Mulvaney and return to writing newsworthy articles.
By b August 24, 2010 at 11:18 am
Sic, you still got a hard on for JS?
By CAE Native August 24, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Poor ‘ole Spratt. Just another S.C. Democrat trying to “save himself”!
By Fighting 5th Voter August 24, 2010 at 2:47 pm
No only did the Spratt camp not allow this guy to video his speech at a friendly Social Security rally, word has it that they have agreed to participate in a debate that the Lake Wylie Lions Club sponsors ONLY if the debate was not to be televised or if video cameras were banned. Print media is allowed and in York County, that would be uber-liberal Matt Garfield. Clearly they are using the old Strom Thurmond tactic of staying away from a younger and sharper opponent.
Get a grip Bad News Mulvaney, Spratt is on the ropes!
By mw August 24, 2010 at 2:49 pm
I hope we can get him to agree to be recorded sometime during the campaign season. There are many people who cannot get out for whatever reasons: illness, mobility, transportation, whatever. It might make them even sicker to hear some of this drivel, but at least they could make up their own minds. Thanks for letting us know what’s going on.
By countryboy August 24, 2010 at 3:14 pm
John is out of touch but may very well still win, if blacks go to the polls like sheep and vote overwhelmingly for him, because they were told it’s who “we” want. At least that’s how it works up here in Chesterfield County. “We” being the old tired democrat machine that’s weakened but still alive.
By eggaday August 24, 2010 at 3:34 pm
humpf. he knows.
By Term Limits August 24, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Spratt is your typical fat white blowhard southern Dem.
Little Lord Fontleroy, get your fat ass out!
By larsjohnson, md, phd August 24, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Spratt looks like he needs a good neurologist. I’m in a position to make very helpful suggestions…
By Lamda August 24, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Spratt needs image coaching. I’ve never seen him smile or laugh. He looks wooden, like a tree. Also, fat, old, and losing steam. I have no idea what he does except he’s been in Washington too long. Let’s replace him with someone with blood pressure above 90 over 65.
By eb August 25, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Unfortunately, for Mr. Spratt, I think it is over.
There is not the same pop in his campaign as there has been in the past. People are aware of his votes for Obama in the last year or so and are not happy with him.
And for the people that have actually seen and heard him in person, they say it is time to hang it up.
The man is a mere shell of his old self.
I recently had a Democrat gentleman proffer an interesting speculative explanation of Mr Spratt’s intentions. It would depend on certain events happening:
1. Mr. Spratt wins the election for his seat.
2. Mr. Sheheen is elected Governor.
3. Mr.Spratt assumes his newly elected seat and promptly resigns.
4. Mr. Sheheen appoints a Democrat Party placeholder.
5. This appointed person would be a prominent Democrat.
6. This person would run for the seat in the next election.
7. This would give the Democrats a leg up on keeping the seat.
It is interesting spectulation but I have a couple of concerns for the Democrats. Number 1 and 2 will not happen. I am not sure that the governor appoints the replacement for a member of the House. I thinks the seat stays vacant till the governor calls a special election.
If, by some strange chance he was elected, I don’t think he is capable of completing his term.
By mw August 25, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I listened to the posted audio here and also heard him on the WCRE (www.MyFM939.com) program out of Cheraw recorded when Spratt was in town this week: he doesn’t sound too good, but the interviewer gave him a lot of love. I’m surprised the campaign has not restricted access to print only. That’s probably coming.
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