SC

“French For Freedom”

MEET THE S.C. LIBERTARIAN PARTY’S GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE As we exclusively reported a few weeks back, the South Carolina Libertarian party will field a candidate in the 2014 gubernatorial election – the first time that’s happened since 1998. His name? Steve French – a Lowcountry small businessman who has a compelling…

MEET THE S.C. LIBERTARIAN PARTY’S GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE

As we exclusively reported a few weeks back, the South Carolina Libertarian party will field a candidate in the 2014 gubernatorial election – the first time that’s happened since 1998.

His name? Steve French – a Lowcountry small businessman who has a compelling personal narrative, a gorgeous wife (and new baby) and the looks and charisma you’d typically associate with an upwardly mobile young “Republican.”

Fortunately for South Carolina taxpayers, though, French is no “Republican.” Obviously he’s for less government and more individual liberty (hence the big “L” you’ll see by his name on the ballot) – but unlike GOP candidates he’s willing to put substantive policy behind those rhetorical points.

Like so many next generation politicos, French has also figured out there is no longer a home for true limited government, pro-free market, pro-freedom views in the Grand Ol’ Plutocracy.

Just ask them … 

The 33-year-old business owner – who runs an environmentally friendly grease cleaning company in Charleston, S.C. – has the potential to be the GOP’s worst nightmare. If he can tap into the growing nexus of fiscally conservative, socially libertarian voters – all the while hammering away at the rampant corruption of both parties in Columbia – he could cause incumbent “Republican” Nikki Haley some real problems.

French says he’s running for governor because Columbia, S.C. represents the “ultimate clean-up job.”

“And cleaning up messes is what I do for a living,” he says.

He’s also talking about raising up to half a million dollars for his bid – which would make him a genuine threat to Haley’s all-but-assured reelection. Not only that, several top fiscally conservative policy makers at the state level tell FITS French has been in touch with them – bouncing his policy ideas off of them.

In other words French’s bid has all the makings of a serious candidacy …

Haley ran as a Tea Party Republican, but veered wildly toward the status quo after receiving the GOP nomination in 2010. Things have only gotten worse since then. In fact on taxesspendingeducation and (most notably) government-subsidized health care, she’s governed like a Democrat – a pattern that has accelerated in recent years due to the lack of a pro-free market challenger on her ideological right flank.

Can French exploit Haley’s vulnerabilities?

That remains to be seen … but his mere appearance on the ballot is likely to deprive Haley of at least 1.5 percent of the vote.

In addition to French, former S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is reportedly still contemplating a third party bid of his own – also eyeing Haley’s vulnerable right flank. A mystery “Confederate candidate” is also eyeing the race …

Stay tuned … at this point the 2014 race is still Haley’s to lose (especially given the abysmal campaign being run by her Democratic opponent, Vincent Sheheen), but the emergence of a potentially credible voices to her ideological right is something she can ill afford to take lightly.

STEVE FRENCH FACEBOOK PAGE

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74 comments

Yelsewh March 14, 2014 at 2:31 pm

If he doesn’t win then I hope he can at least spoil Queen Nimrata’s coronation.

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miss suzanne March 14, 2014 at 3:25 pm

By this time next year, Haley will be unemployed and evicted from the mansion. Wonder how much fumigating the place will cost.

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guest March 14, 2014 at 5:22 pm

Don’t worry if Haley will be unemployed, she is going to run as Jeb Bush’s vice President. Bush/Haley 2016

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Buz Martin March 14, 2014 at 6:05 pm

Cue many people trying to get Will to comment on Haley’s bush — or lack thereof.

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snickering March 15, 2014 at 2:21 pm

Perfect Segway Now Please!

Norma Scok March 17, 2014 at 10:35 am

How would he know?

Bej March 14, 2014 at 6:17 pm

If she can’t win re-election in the SC, Jeb Bush won’t touch her with a 10 foot pole.

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guest March 14, 2014 at 6:29 pm

It may have been in the plans that Bush/Haley will run in 2016 before she was elected Governor.

TontoBubbaGoldstein March 15, 2014 at 6:09 pm

Heheheheheheheh….you said, “Bush.”
Heheheheheheheh…..you said , “touch her with a…pole.”

MashPotato March 14, 2014 at 7:31 pm

Doesn’t matter to whoever moves in- taxpayers will foot the bill.

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just another guy March 14, 2014 at 2:32 pm

He has my vote with a wife that looks like that. That is what we are suppose to vote on, right?

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TontoBubbaGoldstein March 14, 2014 at 8:50 pm

He has my vote with a wife that looks like that. That is what we are suppose to vote on, right?

President Fred Thompson on line one…

Oh, wait….

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John March 14, 2014 at 2:52 pm

Hopefully his lovely wife will work hard to earn him some votes.

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Cabbage March 14, 2014 at 2:59 pm

I’d like to know what are his key issues and where he stands on them. For instance, where does he stand on official governmental corruption and the FOIA law?

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Any Other Questions? March 14, 2014 at 3:49 pm

I’m not a real intellect or anything, but I would imagine,and I emphasize this is just a guess,that he is AGAINST governmental corruption and FOR the FOIA law!

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Colin Ross March 14, 2014 at 4:25 pm

check them out at Frenchforfreedom.com. He thinks its downright revolting that Statehouse members are able to exempt themselves from FOIA

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Dolly March 14, 2014 at 3:00 pm

Wow what a handsome man and a beautiful wife and child. He has my vote!

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gunj March 14, 2014 at 3:39 pm

Bet Michael wishes he had a wife like that.

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Scooter March 14, 2014 at 11:58 pm

That is some reason to vote for someone. No wonder we are in such a fix.

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Seems like a nice guy March 14, 2014 at 3:10 pm

He’s got to find a way to get into debates if he’s even gonna get 10%. Hopefully he runs hoping to educate rather than thinking he can win. Of course, that’s assuming he’s not another phony like Rand Paul.

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Bible Thumper March 14, 2014 at 3:12 pm

Our system is rigged toward two parties and incumbency. He needs to first get elected as a republican then switch parties when reelection comes.

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Elfego March 14, 2014 at 5:34 pm

This is just another ploy to give us a good old Democrat.Old Vince and his Obama spiel!

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Sarah Palin Forever! March 14, 2014 at 8:20 pm

Yeh lets keep old Nikki and her Sarah Palin spiel(wink wink)

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Elfego March 15, 2014 at 10:08 am

It is really sad we do not have more choices in a lot of cases but I soon as take the Devil as the Judas Democrats!

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Sticky March 14, 2014 at 3:51 pm

For the Love of God, don’t start out your political career with the obligatory wholesome family photo. We have such BAD precedent for using your handsome wife and children as a front for later uncovered disordered acts and connivance, ie… Sanford, Patrick, Haley, Peeler, …. Stand alone and on the issues.

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Mike at the Beach March 16, 2014 at 2:20 pm

This homegirl ain’t no standard cookie cutter political bro. That picture is pretty tame, but there are pics of her (no, not *those* kind) that show her to be the hammer that she is.

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GrandTango March 14, 2014 at 3:57 pm

A vote for a Liberal-tarian is a vote for a democrat. They have NO chance, and only serve as spoilers in close races.

Remember Kooky Ross Perot who could have won in 92, but when he realized he was more acceptable than Clinton, he began talking about Black Helicopters…He had no intention on winning…just electing Clinton..

The GOP should have learned in Va. that they need to do extensive Op Research and take these clowns out…and make it VERY Expensive for them to help the democrats…

Thank God the Liberal-Tarian was not able to spoil the Fla. Congressional race the other day..but one could cost this country in a closer race…

If they do LOVE freedom, they need to Butt out..or run as democrats….

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Smirks March 14, 2014 at 5:33 pm

If you love freedom, you have to make sure you limit your freedom to supporting only one party, regardless of how shitty the candidates are!

You wouldn’t want to, *GASP*, support a DEMOCRAT, would you?!?!?!?!?!?!? Then shut up and vote for the Republican that is even crappier than the Democrat!

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Bible Thumper March 14, 2014 at 6:21 pm

Your punctuation is beginning to look more like GT’s. I’m sure he’s flattered.

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just Sayin March 15, 2014 at 6:25 am

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – sarcasm, is sort of the opposite…

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Mike at the Beach March 16, 2014 at 2:18 pm

Uncalled for, dear sir! Absolutely uncalled for! Civilized persons do not compare one another to GT in polite society.

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Bible Thumper March 16, 2014 at 2:34 pm

Polite society? Yes, but fits?

Mike at the Beach March 16, 2014 at 3:11 pm

Point taken, sir…

TontoBubbaGoldstein March 14, 2014 at 8:47 pm

Remember Kooky Ross Perot who could have won in 92, but when he realized he was more acceptable than Clinton, he began talking about Black Helicopters…He had no intention on winning…just electing Clinton…

Uh oh….GT’s figured it out….

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Colin Ross March 14, 2014 at 4:02 pm

Let’s go steve!

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Same ol' Same ol' March 14, 2014 at 4:47 pm

Hope his closet is clean. I’d hate to see his family dragged through the mud. Anyone who has anything on him will out it if his campaign really gets serious.

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Buz Martin March 14, 2014 at 4:53 pm

/// and the looks and charisma you’d typically associate with an upwardly mobile young “Republican.” ///

Is that because the politically-involved parents of upwardly mobile young “Republicans” who are not photo/telegenic (or who are down-right ugly) smother the little boogers in the cradle? Or do they merely hide them in the basement, and threaten to disinherit them if they show their faces in public?

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Buz Martin March 14, 2014 at 4:54 pm

Having said that, I’ll support the guy, just because I despise Haley and Sheheen, and the race as it’s shaping up needs a good spoiler.

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Bible Thumper March 14, 2014 at 6:25 pm

They become Democrats.

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snickering March 15, 2014 at 2:26 pm

No they become Meth Heads or from Lexington County.

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Bible Thumper March 15, 2014 at 3:06 pm

They run political websites.

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snickering March 16, 2014 at 12:27 pm

That too.

euwe max March 15, 2014 at 8:31 am

/// and the looks and charisma you’d typically associate with an upwardly mobile young “Republican.” ///

——-
The meth will eventually take care of that.

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SCBlues March 14, 2014 at 6:15 pm

Will he be true to that Big L after his name? I’ll believe it when I read his positions on all of the issues – especially some of the so-called “social issues”. Those BIG L’s like to morph into little L’s to pander to a certain constituency that is huge here in SC.

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Newcastle March 14, 2014 at 7:47 pm

Wow, his wife is just stupidly gorgeous… he’s got my vote if nothing else than to see more of her.

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euwe max March 15, 2014 at 8:30 am

She’s also married to Jep Robertson.

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Slartibartfast March 14, 2014 at 8:15 pm

The baby’s face says it all. . . . Oh God! If daddy wins, I’m going to wind up the most screwed up kid in the entire state. Remember Donnie Russel? That poor bastard became a doctor, for God’s sake. I guess this means I’ll either be a pothead or a lawyer. Dang!

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Scooter March 14, 2014 at 11:56 pm

Freaking Libertarians only wast time.

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euwe max March 16, 2014 at 11:10 am

Yes, but they’re damned good at it!

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Scooter March 15, 2014 at 12:05 am

His candidacy will have about as much merit as that of a p— ant climbing an elephant’s rump with rape on its mind. It will harm Sheehen more than anyone.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein March 16, 2014 at 9:57 am

An elephant was walking through the jungle one day when she got a thorn in
her foot. The further she walked, the more painful it got. After a while she
started to limp. After a while, this ant walks up and asks, “Hey, what’s the
matter?” The elephant answers, “I’ve got this thorn in my foot and I would do
anything to get it out.” The ant says, “Anything? Would you let me butt fuck
you?” The elephant thought about it for a minute and decided what the hell.
How bad could an ant be? So she agreed. The ant started pulling on the thorn
and sure enough, he got it out. True to her word, the elephant laid down on
her side and moved her tail out of the way. The ant crawled up on her and
started going to town. This monkey was up in a tree watching this. He
couldn’t quite believe his eyes. He started laughing and rolling around in
the tree. Then he knocked a coconut out of the tree that went down and hit
the elephant right between the ears. The elephant moaned loudly in pain,
“Awwoooohhhhh!” The ant yelled at the top of his voice, “Take it all bitch,
take it all !!!!!!”

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euwe max March 16, 2014 at 11:10 am

the ant is Damned Tango, and the Elephant is Dumb@ss LINOs posting on FITS.

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euwe max March 15, 2014 at 1:57 am

Freedom Fries.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein March 15, 2014 at 7:56 pm

TBG would like a “shake wid dem fries”.

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euwe max March 15, 2014 at 8:02 pm

[shakes da weave outta TBG’s]

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just syain March 15, 2014 at 6:23 am

This loser will only weaken Sheheen.

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Thomas March 15, 2014 at 12:06 pm

Gee, Mr. French. If you have no allies in the General Assembly, any bills your administration proposes are D.O.A. If you disagree with anything the General Assembly passes and puts on the desk of the Governor, you can veto it. Ooops, the GA will just override your veto. As Governor you can make appointments to head some agencies. Ooops, they will not be able to fire incompetent employees nor can they make any budget decisions without approval from the GA. Your choices are clear. Run for a position on a city or county council, a post in the General Assembly, and then have other Libertarians do the same. You know, grassroots. Or you can run as a Republican and persuade Republicans to your ideologies. Other than that, expecting to clean house from the Executive Branch is a laugher and insincere.

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rwwllms March 15, 2014 at 12:08 pm

Doesn’t matter. I’d still vote for him. Simply because he’s not Hateful Haley.

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Ha Ha March 15, 2014 at 2:17 pm

Yeh Kimpson is going to be unseated over that!Hahahaha!

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Fits Aint No Republican March 15, 2014 at 2:21 pm

All these non Republican Republicans who are sat pying nice things about this guy including Fits, are going to rapidly desert him now that he has stated he is PRO CHOICE on abortion.

Nothing raises the ire of a Republican and Non Republican Republicans like that does.

RE ELECT NIKKi here they come!

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snickering March 15, 2014 at 2:30 pm

Handsome Family.Now we need a shadow government and use them for show. Any takers Sic Willie?

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Squishy123 March 15, 2014 at 5:22 pm

Just read the story on him in The State. He’s a resident of SC for a total of 6 years, dropped out of college, runs a business collecting used cooking oil, and has never held an office of any type. Sounds perfect for SC.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein March 15, 2014 at 6:07 pm

Not sayin’ she ain’t pretty (she is.), but , in the name of Mark Felt, that lady has a long neck.

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fedup March 16, 2014 at 1:37 pm

I was supporting this guy until he said in the Post & Courier he admired Bill Clinton.

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Watching A Republican Lie March 16, 2014 at 4:16 pm

Yeh sure you were.Give a better excuse than that Nikki voter.

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Nevermore March 16, 2014 at 2:12 pm

Before Brth French was a potential First Lady …

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4nAGNIlDOcY

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Mike at the Beach March 16, 2014 at 2:36 pm

“In other words French’s bid has all the makings of a serious candidacy …”

This guys seems sharp enough, but as we all know “sharp” isn’t what gets folks elected. Unless he raised a couple million bucks (much easier said than done), he won’t even likely reach spoiler status. Sheheen is imploding as fast as he can (which is killing his fundraising), and he would need to hang within 5-8 points of Haley to make a third party cay with limited funds a player even as spoiler. French is “talking about raising up to half a million dollars?” Okay, but I can talk about Cindy Crawford being my next ex-wife, but that won’t make it so. Could his campaign take off? Sure. Will it, most likely? Nope.

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Simple March 16, 2014 at 2:52 pm

Sheheen was never in the race and isnt now.He is going to lose because Haley is the Republican and SC ,in statewide races,elects Republicans.

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Mike at the Beach March 17, 2014 at 3:20 am

True indeed.

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dsmith March 17, 2014 at 8:21 am

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…going to clean up corruption. “Cleaning up messes is what I do.” Cute.
High and mighty moral values candidates like the unelectable Mr. French all say they are going to clean up the mess and then turn around and become entrenched politicians begging for campaign money. Which reminds me of the quote….”The meek shall inherit the earth, but how long will they be meek after they do?”

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Roger Tyson March 17, 2014 at 1:07 pm

On the lighter side:

I think my paper shredder may be Libertarian!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPVXRDHHD-I

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southmauldin March 17, 2014 at 2:33 pm

Looks like a delightful change in the weather approaches.
Out with the bad, in with the good.

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west_rhino March 17, 2014 at 3:27 pm

I really shouldn’t say who I’ve seen conspiring with Andre, but it might surprise ya.

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Bryan Wqsc Crabtree March 18, 2014 at 2:51 pm Reply

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