SC

SC-1: The Endorsement Game

The “Republican” race for the South Carolina first congressional district is down to two candidates – former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford and former Charleston County councilman Curtis Bostic. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place, huh? Anyway, what about the fourteen “Republicans” who didn’t make the…

The “Republican” race for the South Carolina first congressional district is down to two candidates – former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford and former Charleston County councilman Curtis Bostic.

Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place, huh?

Anyway, what about the fourteen “Republicans” who didn’t make the cut in last week’s special primary election? They’re deciding whether to endorse Sanford or Bostic – or stay out of the race altogether.

So far, Sanford has received endorsements from former candidates Ray Nash, Elizabeth Moffly, Jeff King, Keith Blandford and Shawn Pinkston – who combined to receive roughly 7 percent of the vote in last week’s primary. Bostic has been endorsed by former S.C. Sen. John Kuhn – who received 6 percent of the vote.

Obviously the two biggest ex-candidate endorsements in this race belong to S.C. Sen. Larry Grooms (who narrowly missed the runoff with 12 percent of the vote) and Teddy Turner – son of liberal media mogul Ted Turner (who drew 8 percent of the vote).

We don’t expect supporters of these candidates to blindly follow their recommendations (assuming they make a recommendation), but endorsements can signal momentum in a race.

In Grooms’ case, we would be surprised to see him back a candidate like Bostic – who has a record of supporting excessive government spending.

Of course we could easily see Grooms (and Turner) sitting this one out, too …

***

Related posts

SC

South Carolina Mayor Dead Following Car Crash

Will Folks
SC

Palmetto Past & Present: How Columbia Became the Confederacy’s Currency Capital

Mark Powell
SC

Catherine Templeton: Stopping The Weaponization Of South Carolina’s Judicial System

FITSForum

22 comments

BigT March 25, 2013 at 1:04 pm

The No. 1 imperative of FITS-Sanford is to push the idea of Momentum. They are doing this by Playing ANY endorsement, be it a sanitation worker or a funeral director, as gignified…it’s how hack consultants try to push their pathetic Clown as acceptable…

Sanford Desperately needs to be seen as weathering the adultery scandal…and back to be palatable…

So far, the low-level of un-importants endorsing him, only make him look like the Insider, status-quo, career politician, that is THE problem…

If an endorsement can hurt, because of the good ol’ boy syndrome, let’s hope that happening to Sanford…we don’t need to go backward….and Sanford is embarrassment, to real men (fathers and husbands) the GOP and South Carolina…

Reply
BigT March 25, 2013 at 1:04 pm

The No. 1 imperative of FITS-Sanford is to push the idea of Momentum. They are doing this by Playing ANY endorsement, be it a sanitation worker or a funeral director, as gignified…it’s how hack consultants try to push their pathetic Clown as acceptable…

Sanford Desperately needs to be seen as weathering the adultery scandal…and back to be palatable…

So far, the low-level of un-importants endorsing him, only make him look like the Insider, status-quo, career politician, that is THE problem…

If an endorsement can hurt, because of the good ol’ boy syndrome, let’s hope that happening to Sanford…we don’t need to go backward….and Sanford is embarrassment, to real men (fathers and husbands) the GOP and South Carolina…

Reply
Draper March 25, 2013 at 1:32 pm

Teddy Turner took off for vacation once his ticket didn’t get punched. His campaign manager, Michael Smith, had the worst reputation of everyone you talked to of any campaign I’ve ever been around. That’s a first time candidate for you. Money can’t buy good decision making.

Reply
Draper March 25, 2013 at 1:32 pm

Teddy Turner took off for vacation once his ticket didn’t get punched. His campaign manager, Michael Smith, had the worst reputation of everyone you talked to of any campaign I’ve ever been around. That’s a first time candidate for you. Money can’t buy good decision making.

Reply
CNSYD March 25, 2013 at 1:49 pm

“son of liberal media mogul Ted Turner”

On our way to the second zabillionth use of this phrase, as if it mattered to anyone but Sic Willie.

Reply
tomstickler March 25, 2013 at 5:28 pm

Maybe he forgot to add “the stepson of Hanoi Jane Fonda.”

Reply
CNSYD March 25, 2013 at 1:49 pm

“son of liberal media mogul Ted Turner”

On our way to the second zabillionth use of this phrase, as if it mattered to anyone but Sic Willie.

Reply
tomstickler March 25, 2013 at 5:28 pm

Maybe he forgot to add “the stepson of Hanoi Jane Fonda.”

Reply
L. Dupree March 25, 2013 at 1:50 pm

Those of us who voted for Grooms and are now faced with Sanford / Bostic have a whole new perspective because it’s a whole new ball game. Grooms was a harmless, conservative, and scandal-free and almost-boring guy with no ox to gore. Even though Sanford is a national disgrace, a liar, and an egomaniac, I agree with him on the issues more than Bostic, whose intolerant social / religious agenda goes back to the Puritans — the folks who burned “witches.”

Most of us District One people don’t care who Grooms or Turner endorse.

Reply
work it March 25, 2013 at 2:10 pm

That you Sanford?

Reply
L. Dupree March 25, 2013 at 3:23 pm

No, this is Len Dupree and I live in McClellanville.

Reply
L. Dupree March 25, 2013 at 1:50 pm

Those of us who voted for Grooms and are now faced with Sanford / Bostic have a whole new perspective because it’s a whole new ball game. Grooms was a harmless, conservative, and scandal-free and almost-boring guy with no ox to gore. Even though Sanford is a national disgrace, a liar, and an egomaniac, I agree with him on the issues more than Bostic, whose intolerant social / religious agenda goes back to the Puritans — the folks who burned “witches.”

Most of us District One people don’t care who Grooms or Turner endorse.

Reply
work it March 25, 2013 at 2:10 pm

That you Sanford?

Reply
L. Dupree March 25, 2013 at 3:23 pm

No, this is Len Dupree and I live in McClellanville.

Reply
bogart March 25, 2013 at 2:08 pm

The only person picking a candidate because of someone’s endorsement is one without a brain…………opps,forgot we’re in SC.

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 25, 2013 at 4:59 pm

+10000!!!! Endorsements are empty words from crony politicians. Too bad lots of voters are easily led by ‘what other people say about other people’ aka gossip.

Reply
bogart March 25, 2013 at 2:08 pm

The only person picking a candidate because of someone’s endorsement is one without a brain…………opps,forgot we’re in SC.

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 25, 2013 at 4:59 pm

+10000!!!! Endorsements are empty words from crony politicians. Too bad lots of voters are easily led by ‘what other people say about other people’ aka gossip.

Reply
Main Street March 25, 2013 at 4:42 pm

Ray Nash endorsed Sanford today, and that may influence some people in Summerville / Dorchester County where Ray has a good reputation as an honest Joe. Bostic isn’t as well known there because he’s from Charleston County.

Reply
Main Street March 25, 2013 at 4:42 pm

Ray Nash endorsed Sanford today, and that may influence some people in Summerville / Dorchester County where Ray has a good reputation as an honest Joe. Bostic isn’t as well known there because he’s from Charleston County.

Reply
southmauldin March 25, 2013 at 6:04 pm

Wow. That’s about the difference between a shart and explosive diarrhea.

Reply
southmauldin March 25, 2013 at 6:04 pm

Wow. That’s about the difference between a shart and explosive diarrhea.

Reply

Leave a Comment