S.C. Tea Party favorite Tom Davis – the most influential fiscal conservative in the S.C. General Assembly – has decided to endorse a presidential candidate prior to the Palmetto State’s “First in the South” primary on January 21.
The State Senator and early chief of staff to ex-S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford made the announcement Wednesday evening during an appearance on Pub Politics, a Columbia, S.C.-based internet talk show.
Who will be the recipient of Davis’ backing? He didn’t say … although based on previously-expressed reservations it’s unlikely that he would support former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the establishment favorite and winner of the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire primary.
“He supported interventionist policies in lending, TARP and ethanol subsidies, and he seems to support currency manipulation instead of sound money,” Davis wrote of Romney on his Facebook page earlier this month. “Do we really know what we would get with a President Romney?”
Whoever Davis endorses, that candidate will be receiving a coveted fiscal conservative imprimatur. A first-term State Senator from Beaufort, S.C., Davis has led the fight in Columbia, S.C. for long-overdue fiscal and structural reforms in state government – including the creation of a taxpayer rebate fund. He’s also been among the most vocal critics of taxpayer-funded “economic development” incentives that have shifted the state’s tax burden onto small businesses.
Most importantly for the state’s economic future, Davis has been the leading proponent of a public-private Jasper Port terminal – although S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s recent “Savannah River Sellout” may have doomed that project.
“Senator Tom Davis’ fiscal conservative credentials are outstanding,” said Matt Moore, executive director of the SCGOP. “Any candidate would do well to gain his endorsement.”
Not surprisingly, Davis’ nod has been among the most sought-after of the primary season. Last year, The Politico named him one of its “50 politicos to watch,” while a recent CNN story referenced him as a “rising star.”
His influence obviously hasn’t been lost on the candidates, either.
“To get an endorsement from someone like Tom Davis is a big deal,” former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum told The Hilton Head Island Packet recently. “It would speak volumes to folks and make them take notice and give us a look.”
Obviously we’re hoping that Davis decides to endorse U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) – who has turned in stronger-than-expected finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire but has been stuck in fourth place here in the Palmetto State. Based on Davis’ record it’s hard for us to imagine him endorsing anyone else, although Paul’s controversial foreign policy views could cause him some trepidation.
Of course if there’s any high-profile elected official in the Palmetto state who is willing to bite the bullet and support the only real fiscal conservative in this race … that person is Tom Davis.
Also, we suspect that Davis’ endorsement will bring several other fiscal conservative lawmakers along with it.
UPDATE: From Davis’ Facebook page …”In the next few days, I’m going to announce support for the one candidate in the race for president who has consistently stood for taxpayers- one who has a plan to balance the budget RIGHT NOW.”
***
By T Bell January 11, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Sen Davis has a track record of speaking truth to power and voting for the taxpayer… there is only one presidential candidate who fits that bill. Anything other than an endorsement for Dr. Paul will need a lot of context/explanation/excuses to not invite questions from his base back in his district and supporters throughout the rest of the state.
He doesn’t have to endorse, and all the state lawmakers who’ve done it so far have chosen the wrong one[s] (and done it on a cash-and-carry basis, thanks to PAC donations) so good on Davis for using his pulpit well!
By palmetto populist January 12, 2012 at 8:42 am
Will Folks has a track record of enthusiastically performing political fellatio on Tom Davis at every contrived opportunity.
Were Will Folks not to fellatiate Tom Davis would invite questions from his 900 readers.
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By Forrest Gump January 11, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Tom Davis will play to the press and his constituents: far right to the ultra-right. Against abortion, stem-cell research, same-sex marriage, sex education, birth control, family planning, peaceful civil protest; promoting gun ownership, pentagon spending, and free-wheeling capitalism. Most important, NO government and NO taxes. Don’t press Tom on specifics but this means no schools, law enforcement, road maintenance, mail service, social security, medicare, medical research, oversight of financial institutions and other liberal left-wing democrat welfare-state inventions. That is, right off the cliff.
That’s all I have to say about that.
By chris January 11, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Senator Davis = LEADERSHIP!
Ron Paul 2012! Destiny Awaits!
By CNSYD January 12, 2012 at 9:48 am
LEADERSHIP. That was Sanfraud’s slogan so it fits (pun intended) Davis well.
By SCHotline January 11, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Let’s just wait and see what Tom does, says and why, as is anything related to SC politics right here, right now it will be interesting. With that said we know Davis to be a stand-up guy!
By Hanover January 11, 2012 at 10:55 pm
If I vote for Romney, it will be the endorsement of Curtis Loftis, NOT HALEY! I would prefer this incompetent lady endorse someone else! When I see the clips of Romney and Haley, I get nauseaus.
By Yikes, not Mitt! January 12, 2012 at 12:40 am
Don’t vote for Mitt, Romney is tied to tons of corruption. The Romney family have badly misused the members of the Mormon Church. They are a ruthless, moraless and greedy family.
By Yikes, not Mitt! January 12, 2012 at 12:41 am
And if Loftis had any decency he would drop Mitt like a hot potato.
By JoeH January 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Wow Yikes, Do you have any evidence to support your claims against Romney? I would really like to know the details in order to form an informed opinion.
By Sen. Davis (Dem in hiding) January 11, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Davis endorsing a Republican or Democrat Obama????
If you go by his record of donating $$$ to Dem Candidates prior to his buddy Mark Sanford getting elected Gov, all signs point to him endorsing a Democrat!!!! (bet Tom wishes there was a little less transparency in how political donations are reported in SC now…seriously, look it up, this guy is a Democrat campaign donor)
On second thought, changing your politics as drastically as former-Democrat-donor Davis has, Romney might be a logical pick for Tom.
Tom Davis blows with the popular political winds (almost as bad as this website blows him on a daily basis) and will say whatever to accomplish his power grabbing goals. Don’t be fooled by this guy!!!!!!!!
By Billy Mulligan January 11, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Davis will endorse Huntsman, is my prediction.
By palmetto populist January 12, 2012 at 8:43 am
The Sanfraud gang has been backing Huntsman — the sole barrier to my consideration of voting for him.
By Billy Bob January 11, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Who gives a shit what he says????????????????????
By Matt January 11, 2012 at 11:24 pm
I’ll put money on Tom Davis endorsing Rick Perry.
By Willard January 11, 2012 at 11:37 pm
“He supported interventionist policies in lending, TARP and ethanol subsidies, and he seems to support currency manipulation instead of sound money,”
All true. I’m intrigued by the last comment on sound money. Only one candidate is talking about the importance of it….could this be a clue as to who he’s leaning towards?
By Shanky January 12, 2012 at 12:10 am
Hanover I cannot resist a big hell yes to that… W’s recent acknowledgement of her “preening” was so dead on my wife puked on me..
By Taylor January 12, 2012 at 12:57 am
It’s going to be Paul
By RAS January 12, 2012 at 5:01 am
This is not news. Make the post when he endorses someone. This is unprofessional dripping on behalf of a friend.
Speaking of unprofessional: It’s obvious you and Viers have a history and your attacks are personal.
And hiding behind “It says ‘Unfair and Inbalance’ at the top of the page” is lame.
By RASinners January 12, 2012 at 10:37 pm
I used to post under this site as RAS. I’m bothered that someone is posting under what I post as.
By Yikes, not Mitt! January 12, 2012 at 5:36 am
Mitt is boasting DeMint will be giving him an endorsement along with Perry.
By BigT January 12, 2012 at 5:40 am
One of Davis Claims is that he worked for Sanford…(chief of staff to ex-S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford)….
Davis might want to update that Promotion Sheet…seeing on how Sanford pretty much failed at moving forward the state, and ended up shaming us…and did even worse to his kids and wife….
Sanford had so much promised, and turned out to be so corrupt and a hypocrite…to associate w/ his name, disgraces Davis…
PS: Is this an ANNOUCEMENT of a yet-to-be-made Announcement, that is pretty much meaningless???
By sam January 12, 2012 at 7:00 am
Davis is a hippocritical opportunist, which is another way of saying “jerk.”
By snodgrass January 12, 2012 at 7:38 am
Endorsements have become a mainstay of political bartering. Regrettably, endorsements tend to get auctioned off to the highest bidder. It’s not Ron Paul’s style to solicit endorsements, much less grant anything in return for them. If Senator Davis gives him the nod, I’d have to assume that he genuinely believes in Ron Paul’s message.
Regardless of Senator Davis’ decision, I respect him for engaging in the process now rather than lounging on the sidelines with a moistened finger in the air. That’s more than can be said for some our state’s most influential “leaders.”
By Old Bike Dude January 12, 2012 at 7:46 am
Ron Paul is the only candidate who has the courage to talk about the real problems in America. Cookie cutter republicans only talk about taxes, taxes, taxes, abortion. Ron Paul talks about liberty. Liberty is the absence of restraint. But it takes courage to buck the system. Voters too must have the courage to elect a candidate who will move America forward by expanding the realm of liberty.
By notagain January 12, 2012 at 8:02 am
I have followed Davis to some degree. Not impressed. I don’t care who he endorses–it will not affect my vote.
By johnb January 12, 2012 at 8:41 am
I will support his endorsed candidate.
By A Humble Chef January 12, 2012 at 8:47 am
Old Bike Dude – I have been saying that exact same thing for months leading up to this, and I couldn’t have said it any better myself. I have my fingers crossed that he can make enough people understand, because I don’t think he will be able to run again and what a missed opportunity it will be.
By JimBob January 12, 2012 at 8:59 am
I hope that he does endorse Ron Paul. It will firmly establish that he is a nutjob. It will place him squarely on the extreme right looking for those black helicopters. It would also have the added benefit of making this “Mark Sanford” wanna-be unelectable for the higher office he so obviously covets.
By Dixie January 13, 2012 at 1:13 am
I laughed when I read this. That your username is JimBob makes it even better.
By ceilidh10 January 12, 2012 at 9:33 am
Will he go against the boss lady’s endorsement of Romney ?? Boss Haley is kissing up to Romney. She wants a high post in his administration. Maybe Crusher-in-Chief of Worker’s Comp injury victims.
By 350ZLADY January 12, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Well, that would get her out of our state pretty quick….
By Bogart January 12, 2012 at 9:43 am
DeMint says he’ll not endorse anyone,obviously he feels none are worthy of POTUS….Sanford won’t endorse because he knows no one wants his endorsement….Davis,being Sanford’s lap dog,will be going for Sanford’s choice.Will knows they’re both for Paul,so we get this lead in story before the fact.And the beat goes on.
By Michael January 12, 2012 at 11:40 am
I generally like Tom on the issues, but who really cares who a State Senator endorses? Find me one person whose vote this is going to affect. Pure grandstanding.
By Tim January 12, 2012 at 3:06 pm
With Ron Paul’s 68% support from GOP voters under 30 years old, what will that mean if he were to lose this year and then run again in 2016? Libertarianism (or even Rand Paul) is the future of the GOP.
By RAS January 12, 2012 at 3:27 pm
What would it mean? It would mean the first octogenarian President in US history.
By IMHO January 12, 2012 at 3:41 pm
They better be grooming someone other than old Ron. He’s definitely showing signs of wear and tear. Funny how Palin was among the first to state the GOP should not be alienating Ron Paul supporters.
By Alabaster II January 12, 2012 at 4:42 pm
National Review Online had an article revealing Mark Sanford’s opinion about Nikki Haley. He said he wonders if Nikki will be more of a liability to Romney than she is an asset. Is that also a hint that MS is for Romney?
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By Aaron January 13, 2012 at 3:24 pm
http://www.dailypaul.com/203823/exclusive-top-sc-tea-party-senator-to-endorse-paul
Rumors are afoot.
My prediction is Ron Paul!
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By Jeff Cox January 14, 2012 at 8:37 am
Dr Ron Paul is the only candidate worthy of an endorsement,,the others are just the same ole scamming,tell you anything they think you want to hear politicians. RON PAUL will bring the pride back to America again.
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By Jason Herr January 15, 2012 at 7:59 pm
It is interesting how some people say negative things about Ron Paul, yet Ron Paul believes in liberty and freedom and wants to return the power to the “People”. Are those out there positions? Ron Paul talks like our Founding Fathers who created freedom in America. Sadly, our freedoms are evaporating and yet people still want to defend the establishment. Both the Democrats and the Republicans have taken our rights away for decades, but yet many people still support these candidates. If you like the government in every aspect of your life, along with paying high taxes, the Patriot Act, Indefinite Detention, government run healthcare, fascism, illegal wars that put our brave men and women in harm’s way, police state, presidential assassinations, Federal Reserve, Internet and telephone spying, TSA abuse, welfare, foreign aid to countries who despise America, wasteful spending, national debt, stealing from the American people’s pockets, outsourcing of jobs, the ability of the government to shut down any business it chooses to, IRS corruption, CIA corruption, thousands of Federal agencies that take jobs from the private sector, ATF giving guns to Mexican drug cartels, etc., then you vote for someone other than Ron Paul, but you are only hurting yourself. Save America and Restore the Republic. Vote for Ron Paul in 2012!
By William L January 15, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Jason Herr, you have hit the nail on the head. Excellent! Scroll up and read it again, folks! I would only add that NONE of the candidates except for Dr. Paul have condemned the NDAA. Senator DeMint opposed it vigorously. Indefinite detention or worse with no recourse for US citizens, is this the USA? Legalize the Constitution! Vote for Dr. Paul!
By Alex Kelley January 15, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Ron Paul has some interesting perspectives and yet he does not line up with the party platform. We really need to pray for our country…we have left our moorings that were originally in the Scriptures and the God Who inspired them. Abortions, failed marriages (1 of 2), and greed (or coveting) and idoltary have brought us down and will continue to take us on the downward spiral. We want all of our choices (as bad as they are) but with them come the consequences. God has “given us over” to our own desires and we are experiencing the pain now. Pray that we return to Him Who created us.
Paul doesn’t see an issue with drugs and many irresponsible choices if left to others. At some point, there are going to be limited freedoms because of dangerous choices. Again we have left the moorings of our founding fathers. Time for us to return to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thanks for the forum to express my freedom of speech. :)
By Mike O Smith January 15, 2012 at 10:57 pm
YOu do realize that the founding fathers all grew and smoked Pot. They called it hemp.
Governments are good at taking rights away. How will you feel when they take your right away to read and tell others about what the Bible says?
Obama and all of the other GOP leaders were in favor of the NDAA act. Only Ron Paul is against it. Now our military can come in to your house take you prisoner and put you in a military jail and not charge you and hold you for as long as they like.
If you want to pray for something pray that Ron Paul can get in and do something about this. I am a christian and im voting Ron Paul and nobody else in 2012……………….
Please watch this a christian case for Ron Paul. Thanks
http://ronpaulflix.com/2011/11/the-christian-case-for-ron-paul-tom-woods-on-iowa-talk-radio/
By Nancy January 15, 2012 at 9:11 pm
If the TEA PARTY is for Ron Paul, I’m no longer for the TEA PARTY.
He’s too old and too crazy.
By tropicrot January 15, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Funny on so many levels.
By MarieW January 15, 2012 at 9:22 pm
I cannot understand why anyone would continue to support Ron Paul.Have you listened to him on foreign policy ?? It is down right scary.
The Muslims call us the big satan and Israel the little satan. They vow to eliminate the Jews and to force everyone to change to
the Muslim religion and Sharia law. That is how they believe that
they will go to Heaven. They don’t hate us because we are there, they hate us because we don’t believe as they do.
Ron Paul would leave us wide open for their take over. Please read
what they believe and rethink what we should do about it.They are
now in charge of the whole MidEast.
This could lead to WWIII we need a STRONG leader.
By Mike O Smith January 15, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Israel wants the USA to butt out of there business. They can take care of there self. They want the USA to stop giving millions of dollars to there enemies and wants us to stop telling them what they can and can not do. Ron Paul is Israels best friend.
The only ones going to start a war with Iran is Obama and Romney and the establishment GOP.
Ron Paul is the only one saying we should have talks and we should understand that there is blowback when bombing and occupying Muslim countries.
What would we do if we was Iran??????? We have put military bases all around Iran its no wonder there scared and want a nuke.
You have no clue what your talking about and you should stop watching CNN and FOX. How about go and watch Ron Paul speak and then you may realize that Ron Paul is the only one trying to stop us from having WW3. When the USA attacks Iran I hope its your 19 yr old son that has to go over to Iran and fight and not mine.
By Mike O Smith January 15, 2012 at 10:32 pm
SEn Tom Davis endorsed Ron Paul. Ron Paul 2012
By 350ZLADY January 16, 2012 at 9:22 am
mike o –
1st – It’s “their” as possessive, not there – like over there.
RP will be as good as the people he surrounds himself with in his cabinet, and will surround himself with people who have similar / like passions – if there are any left to pick from. Iran’s mission is to invade Iraq and to control the majority of the oil to hurt us in the pocketbook along with many other agendas. I say lets tap into our resources and let them sell to China & Russia and pay “their” oil price. There are alot of variables here…pro and con with RP, but I feel there are more pros with RP that any other canidate running…. but that is my opinion and you know what they say about opinions… they are like. A$$^)%!’s… everyone has one!
By Bett January 15, 2012 at 11:31 pm
What has Paul said to Congress in 02′ that he warned them would come to pass if they did NOT heed
the changes he recommended. ALL have come true and you owe it to yourself to hear him speak in link below. Agenda 21 here to takeover USA, obama threatened congress to sign NDAA and next hillary wants guns under it’l law so we will be in the One World Order. If Paul does not get in, then you can kiss our Sovereignty good bye and you will remember we had one last chance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifJG_oFFDK0
By redjacobson January 16, 2012 at 12:12 pm
It’s becoming very clear that Dr. Paul is electable and the one to lead this republic out of the dismal state it finds itself in. His message is accurate and consistent. His following is definately growing and is very solid and loyal. Not only the young are enamored and joining the movement but so are Independents, Progressives and Conservatives. His strength is being ‘trustworthy’ and that comodity is in demand due to the times we find ourselves in when distrust and misrepresentation runs rampant in the land. Get informed citizens for the restoration of America is at hand. Ron Paul 2012.
By celebs4truth.com January 16, 2012 at 5:03 pm
What a great article! Ron Paul IS the best candidate! Thanks for your help!
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