2005 produces winners, losers in South Carolina's political arena
First, the winners:
The speakers. Former House Speaker David Wilkins of Greenville got a big boost in his profile as the Bush Administration's new ambassador to Canada, while House Ways and Means Chairman Bobby Harrell of Charleston took over as new speaker.
The attorney. Attorney General Henry McMaster raised the office's profile for actively pushing for more prosecutors to combat one of the state's worst problems, criminal domestic violence. He also got a big win by encouraging the General Assembly to expand powers of the state grand jury to include special prosecution of environmental crimes.
The volunteers. Hats off to Sam Tenenbaum, Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, Ginger Crocker and a host of others who made a big success of South Carolina Cares, a Columbia-based organization that provided help to Hurricane Katrina victims. Kudos also to Columbia public relations guru and director Bud Ferillo for "Corridor of Shame," his eye-opening film on rural education in the state.
The leader. Congratulations to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who was elected to the third highest leadership position among House Democrats. He also provided a private endowment to S.C. State University that could grow to $1 million.
The policies. The year signaled the end of minibottles at bars and restaurants (starting Jan. 1) and a tougher seat belt policy that should save lives on state highways. An early-year push for a school voucher-type program waned at the end of the year as the governor pulled support.
And now the losers of 2005:
The governor. From being named one of the worst governors in the nation to continuing to antagonize lawmakers in his own party, South Carolina's thin-skinned governor did little right in 2005. Gov. Mark Sanford's meddling to privatize Santee Cooper and the state's Medicaid program led to fractious events. His continuing lack of legislative accomplishments and poor economic record ("More could be done," noted fellow Republican and U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett) earned him a GOP primary challenger in 2006, although he likely will return to the governor's mansion for another term.
The comptroller. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom nabbed more than $100 million in state funds to pay down an old deficit, but was spanked by lawmakers, editorial writers and finally the attorney general for exceeding his authority.
The economy. At year's end, South Carolina's unemployment rate remained one of the nation's highest while job growth was in the cellar of the 50 states. The state's credit rating also dropped from AAA for the first time in years.
The mouth. State Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, always is good for a quote, but he stepped in it in 2005 for sexist remarks ("Women want to punish the men") on domestic violence and shabby treatment of a TV reporter.
The party. South Carolina Democrats had little to smile about when their top vote-getter, state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, declined to run for governor or even her current office. That leaves the party without a well-recognized candidate at the top of the ticket.
The politicians. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer didn't do much to help himself throughout the year, but he managed to pick up a primary challenger (Mike Campbell, son of the late Gov. Carroll Campbell) and a Democratic challenger (former Rep. Robert Barber of Charleston). State Rep. Michael Thompson, R-Anderson, picked up enmity for proposing a study of drilling off the South Carolina coast.
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., spouted off with a lot of war-mongering talk and had embattled Rep. Tom DeLay headline a fundraiser.
The policies. Tort reform passed with much hullabaloo, but it reportedly is having no effect on rising medical insurance rates for doctors. Advocates for property tax reform moved the issue to the top of the 2006 agenda, although major shifts in the state's tax structure could have long-term negative effects, particularly for low- and moderate-income people.
With a statewide election on tap for 2006 and members of the House up for re-election, 2006 likely will be even more lively than the year just passed.
While I disagree with this author on many points, we all have to agree that we must do better in '06. All the groundwork has been laid for sucess, we just have to be bold enough to follow through.
The speakers. Former House Speaker David Wilkins of Greenville got a big boost in his profile as the Bush Administration's new ambassador to Canada, while House Ways and Means Chairman Bobby Harrell of Charleston took over as new speaker.
The attorney. Attorney General Henry McMaster raised the office's profile for actively pushing for more prosecutors to combat one of the state's worst problems, criminal domestic violence. He also got a big win by encouraging the General Assembly to expand powers of the state grand jury to include special prosecution of environmental crimes.
The volunteers. Hats off to Sam Tenenbaum, Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, Ginger Crocker and a host of others who made a big success of South Carolina Cares, a Columbia-based organization that provided help to Hurricane Katrina victims. Kudos also to Columbia public relations guru and director Bud Ferillo for "Corridor of Shame," his eye-opening film on rural education in the state.
The leader. Congratulations to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who was elected to the third highest leadership position among House Democrats. He also provided a private endowment to S.C. State University that could grow to $1 million.
The policies. The year signaled the end of minibottles at bars and restaurants (starting Jan. 1) and a tougher seat belt policy that should save lives on state highways. An early-year push for a school voucher-type program waned at the end of the year as the governor pulled support.
And now the losers of 2005:
The governor. From being named one of the worst governors in the nation to continuing to antagonize lawmakers in his own party, South Carolina's thin-skinned governor did little right in 2005. Gov. Mark Sanford's meddling to privatize Santee Cooper and the state's Medicaid program led to fractious events. His continuing lack of legislative accomplishments and poor economic record ("More could be done," noted fellow Republican and U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett) earned him a GOP primary challenger in 2006, although he likely will return to the governor's mansion for another term.
The comptroller. Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom nabbed more than $100 million in state funds to pay down an old deficit, but was spanked by lawmakers, editorial writers and finally the attorney general for exceeding his authority.
The economy. At year's end, South Carolina's unemployment rate remained one of the nation's highest while job growth was in the cellar of the 50 states. The state's credit rating also dropped from AAA for the first time in years.
The mouth. State Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, always is good for a quote, but he stepped in it in 2005 for sexist remarks ("Women want to punish the men") on domestic violence and shabby treatment of a TV reporter.
The party. South Carolina Democrats had little to smile about when their top vote-getter, state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, declined to run for governor or even her current office. That leaves the party without a well-recognized candidate at the top of the ticket.
The politicians. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer didn't do much to help himself throughout the year, but he managed to pick up a primary challenger (Mike Campbell, son of the late Gov. Carroll Campbell) and a Democratic challenger (former Rep. Robert Barber of Charleston). State Rep. Michael Thompson, R-Anderson, picked up enmity for proposing a study of drilling off the South Carolina coast.
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., spouted off with a lot of war-mongering talk and had embattled Rep. Tom DeLay headline a fundraiser.
The policies. Tort reform passed with much hullabaloo, but it reportedly is having no effect on rising medical insurance rates for doctors. Advocates for property tax reform moved the issue to the top of the 2006 agenda, although major shifts in the state's tax structure could have long-term negative effects, particularly for low- and moderate-income people.
With a statewide election on tap for 2006 and members of the House up for re-election, 2006 likely will be even more lively than the year just passed.
While I disagree with this author on many points, we all have to agree that we must do better in '06. All the groundwork has been laid for sucess, we just have to be bold enough to follow through.
posted by SCGOP at 7:33 AM
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