There have been those asking me "what do you mean Romney will not play in South Carolina? I am a conservative and I support him".

Nine times out of ten this comes from moderate party folks who say they are conservative.

Today is a good example of what Romeny can expect in South Carolina from Christian Conservatives:

Romney grilling ‘in bad taste’

By LEE BANDY
lbandy@thestate.com

The quarterly meeting of the S.C. Republican executive committee Sept. 16 ended on a sour note when one of its more prominent members cornered Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and grilled him about his Mormon faith.

It was not a pretty sight, according to witnesses.

Romney, a possible Republican candidate for president in 2008, was in town to address the state executive committee.

Cyndi Mosteller, chairwoman of the Charleston County Republican Party, one of the largest GOP organizations in the state, came armed with a bunch of material — and questions — about the Mormon church.

The incident only underlines what could become an uncomfortable debate over Romney’s faith if he runs for the White House. The issue will be on the table in South Carolina’s early primary contest, where roughly 35 percent of GOP voters are evangelical Christians, many of whom view Mormonism with skepticism.

Mosteller, an evangelical, said she especially was concerned about the church’s attitude toward African-Americans and its stand on polygamy.

The Mormon religion was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing faith groups in the United States. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, it is known formally as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Mormonism’s short history has been tumultuous, with an early embrace of polygamy, which it later renounced. Still, Mormons grapple with their polygamous past.

It has been almost 30 years since the Mormon Church lifted a ban that kept black males from the church’s priesthood.

Brigham Young, who succeeded Smith as church leader, wrote that God put a curse on Cain — a “flat nose and black skin” — for killing his brother Abel.

Mosteller said the issues of race and marriage concern her. She fears they could become campaign issues and hurt Republican chances.

She had planned to ask the questions in an open committee session, but Romney nixed that idea by ending his short address with a final “thank you.”

The governor then proceeded to meet with the media for about 15 minutes.

Enter Mosteller.

Sensing trouble, Romney aides hurriedly ushered reporters out the door.

Afterward, Mosteller said the governor did not answer any of her questions. She described the meeting as “very tense.”

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/15594211.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp



If a guy like Mike Pence enters the race then Romney will have no chance in South Carolina. In a field without Mike Pence, Mitt Romney only chance is to be bold and take stands on important issues.
He simply will not over come the Yankee-Mormonism thing unless he is a real conservative and devolps a strategy for reining in the federal Government.
A Lukewarm Romney will go down to defeat,as well he should.
Romney needs to propose to eliminate some Government agencies.
Do not expect South Carolina Conservatives to compromise for Romney just because he looks Presidential and can give an OK speech.Ideology matters and we are looking for another Reagan.

Day full of Pence update

I was just told by a friend that last Friday he went to the West Oak High School football game in Westminster(Gresham Barrett's hometown) and that Pence volunteers were passing out game rosters that doubled as Pence 08 flyers.He said that everybody got one and they were well recieved.

West Oak was playing cross county rival Seneca.

A Day full of Mike Pence

A Day Full of Mike Pence

It is not easy being a conservative South Carolina Republican. Our party has more rivalries and infighting than I could list in an hour. Everyday one elected Republican attacks another, some party leader gets into it with a donor, some "consultant" attacks another one, and the sad part is most of it tends not to be ideological but rather about personal beefs and power.

The one bright spot is Gresham Barrett who no doubt will be our Governor in 2010, but after him it is curtains. When thinking about the future of our party and this nation it is hard to find any kind of vision and integrity. For the last several months I have been looking elsewhere for that Reaganesque Leader who will provide the vision to lead America forward and I found in an (then) obscure Congressman from Indiana named Mike Pence.

Mike Pence is Chairman of the Republican Study Committee and he describes himself as "a Christian, a Conservative, and a Republican in that order".

There is a Draft movement to get Pence to run for President in 08 and I have been watching with great intensity the begining efforts to put Pence on the map here in South Carolina. You can imagine my surprise when last Friday it seemed I could not escape Mike Pence anywhere I went.

My morning started off with a meeting with the head guys of Draft Pence as we were to discuss possibly bringing me on in a official capacity next semester. Right now I am just a supporter and I have let the guys contribute to the blog at times. I need to do more. Right off the bat this meeting was unlike any other I have had in my political career. No cursing, no gossip. We simply discussed a vision for the future of America and we discussed the integrity and Character of Mike Pence.

This renewed my hope that this would be different.

After the meeting I then headed down to Clemson for a speech by Congressman Tom Tancredo. To my surprise when I walked into Brackett Hall all I saw was Mike Pence for President flyers, and they were everywhere. I found out that Tancredo was not speaking at the auditorium but rather teaching in a classroom so I didn't get to hear him speak. As I walked by the classroom to get a glimpse of the "Tank" entering, I saw a girl with a Mike Pence for President button sitting in the front row. I immediatly began to smile.

Before noon I was listening to some local talk radio as they discussed immigration.
They were talking about the need to seal the border and what compromise would be acceptable to them. Without saying Pence's name they went on to list the Pence plan verbatim "seal the border, pass sanctions, send the illegals home and make them sign up legally" Both of the guys on the air agreed this was the best deal possible.

As they went to break I was thinking "man, Pence is everywhere" so you can imagine my surprise when they came back and did a segment on the future of the party and where the heck is the next Reagan? They again listed all of Pence's traits without mentioning him by name.It is clear to me that Mike Pence is the next Reagan.

I then was able to have three Pence-free hours before I called my moderate buddy and politics came up. He thinks we have to go with Rudy or McCain because "retaining 1600 is the only thing that matters." He didn't even know who Pence was before I told him a few weeks earlier. He called me a couple hours later to tell me (in a half yelling way) he just viewed Pence's LIBERTY ad online and it was the greatest he ever saw and he thinks Pence is the man.

What did this day tell me?
One, that moderates base everything on their emotions and that good campiagn ads can get their votes.

Two, that there is a small flicker of support of Mike Pence in 2008 and it grows everyday. There is a sweeping brushfire of support for the return of Reaganism and no one emodies Reagan more than Pence.People are searching for and demanding a new leader with vision and intergrity to lead our nation in the future.

Can Pence win in South Carolina? Certainly yes. Will he? The odds are long but each day that passes things are looking good. I know for certain that no other candidate will excite this South Carolina conservative base. Pence has the total package: Strong on defense, stalwart Fiscal conservative, and strong on moral questions. Pence is the only guy I have seen who can play to both the Upstate Christians and the Low Country coastal Libertarians.

Mike Pence's message will play here is SC, it did in '80 and '84 and it will again someday!
These next two years could get real interesting here in South Carolina.
Next I will do a blog speculating on whether Pence even wants it in 08.



Mike Pence for President and Gresham Barrett for Governor!

GOP debates closing primary

GOP debates closing primary
By LEE BANDY
lbandy@thestate.com
Since 1980, South Carolina Republicans have used the open primary process to build the party into the political force it is today.

Now, some in the party want to close it, making it tougher for independents, disenchanted Democrats and mischief makers to cross over and vote in the GOP contests.

Some legislative leaders are lukewarm to the idea. But other party leaders are out to replace the “y’all come” invitation with a members-only sign.

The move is “a degree of arrogance” on the part of Republicans, said Francis Marion University political scientist Neal Thigpen, a Republican activist and consultant.

“They rose to power on it,” Thigpen said, referring to the open primary. “Now, they want to close it.”

South Carolina is one of 20 states allowing open primaries. In such contests, voters are free to choose the party ballot they want.

If S.C. Republican leaders have their way, voters would have to swear their loyalty to the GOP before participating in the primary, a move designed to discourage Democrats from crossing over to create mischief.

In theory, the Democratic mischief makers cross over to the GOP’s primary and cast their ballots for the weakest candidate, making it easier for the Democratic candidate to win in the general election. But studies show such voters account for only about 2 percent of primary voters at most.

Still, GOP leaders want to close their party’s primary.

“The time has come for people to stand up,” said state GOP Chairman Katon Dawson, who favors a closed primary. “It’s time for the debate.”

The 2004 state Republican convention voted overwhelmingly for closed primaries, with 58 percent of the delegates favoring voter registration by party.

“It’s time,” Dawson said.

For the last six years, the Republican-dominated General Assembly has failed to adopt legislation to end open primaries.

State Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, chairman of the election laws subcommittee, shows little enthusiasm for closed primaries or registration by party.

“South Carolina has a pretty rich tradition of independence when it comes to voting in primaries,” he said. “Closed primaries take a lot of folks out of both parties, probably more out of the Republican Party. I don’t know that would be healthy to our political process.”

House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Harrison, R-Richland, doesn’t hold out much hope for party registration either.

“It has been before a subcommittee and debated for at least six years, maybe longer,” he said. “Nothing ever comes of it.”

Drew McKissick, a GOP consultant with close ties to the conservative religious community, admonished Republican legislators “to get with the program and get it passed.”

But Dan Ross, former state Republican chairman from Blackville, is opposed vehemently to party registration.

He noted the party has collected more than 600,000 names, thanks to the open primary. “That’s a gold mine.”

State Democratic chairman Joe Erwin, of Greenville, sees no need for party registration.

“One of the things South Carolinians value is their independence. We’ve always been a very independent-minded people,” Erwin said, citing exit polls showing 28 percent of the state’s voters called themselves independents in the last election..

“If that’s true, why cut them out of the process?” Erwin asked. “By being open, we encourage more participation.”

Greg Shorey, former state chairman from Beaufort, has led the fight for registration since the late 1950s.

“By what right do I have intruding into the candidate selection process of another political party?” he asked.

“We’ve become of age now in helping develop a viable two-party state. It’s time we matured and grow up. We’re no longer a minority,” Shorey said of the state GOP.

Shorey also had a word of warning for reluctant legislators.

“They’d better wake up,” he said. “Their jobs are now in jeopardy.”

S.C. parties could be forced to close their primaries. In a federal court case yet to be decided, the Virginia GOP contends open primaries are unconstitutional.

Added Shorey: “If we don’t settle this legislatively, it’s going to be settled in court, and it will be expensive and an embarrassment.”

Wilson to Unveil Write from the Front Exhibit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 7, 2006



CONTACT: Kim Olive

(202) 225-2452 (office)

(202) 420- (cell)





**MEDIA ADVISORY**



Wilson to Unveil Write from the Front Exhibit



COLUMBIA - Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) on Monday will participate in the unveiling of the Write from the Front traveling exhibit. Write from the Front was launched in 2003 by the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum to preserve the stories of South Carolina soldiers. Congressman Wilson is a Write from the Front contributor.



Dale and Ann Hampton, the parents of Capt. Kimberly Hampton, the first woman pilot in U.S. history to die in combat, will be in attendance. The Hamptons will donate some of Kimberly's belongings to the museum. Other special guests include Lisa Yanity, a high school guidance counselor who wrote a blog during her service in Afghanistan . Ms. Yanity's blog is part of the Write from the Front collection. Members of Bryan Tolar's family, who is currently deployed training the Afghan army with the S.C. National Guard, will also attend.





WHO: Congressman Joe Wilson



WHAT: Press conference/ceremony to unveil the Write from the Front exhibit



WHEN: Monday, September 11, 2006; 10 a.m.



WHERE: Atrium of the State Museum , 301 Gervais Street

We are winning in Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 7, 2006


CONTACT: Kim Olive

(202) 225-2452 (Office)

(202) 420- (Cell)







Republican House Members Applaud Progress of Iraqi Government



WASHINGTON -Republican House Members today applauded the continued progress of the Iraqi government on its path to full independence. Iraq today assumed full control of the Iraqi armed forces, putting the prime minister in direct control of the military.



"Today's transfer of the Iraqi military to direct Iraqi government control is a major step toward Iraq 's full independence. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is committed to achieving a stable democratic society in Iraq . A competent military is essential for success.



"With two thirds of the Iraqi Army's combat units in the lead, we are encouraged that Iraqi Security Forces are assuming more responsibility for the security of their country. As these brave Iraqis continue to take the lead against those who seek to deprive their countrymen of the rights they have fought to secure, we will continue to stand with them.



"Success in Iraq is vital to world stability and security in the United States . Today's transfer is one step further to achieving victory in Iraq ."





The following statement was released by Reps. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Kay Granger (TX-12), Randy Kuhl (NY-29), Doc Hastings (WA-04), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Phil Gingrey (GA-11), Sam Graves (MO-06), Henry Brown (SC-01), Steve King (IA-05), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), John Carter (TX-31), Michael Burgess (TX-26), Gresham Barrett (SC-03), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), Ander Crenshaw (FL-04), Mike Conaway (TX-11), Mike Pence (IN-06), Michael McCaul (TX-10) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18).

The 06 elections are here!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Caitlin Carroll (202) 225-





Republican Members Call Senate Democrat Amendment on Rumsfeld "Political Grandstanding"



WASHINGTON , DC -Republican Members of Congress today issued the following statements in response to Senate Democrats' attempts to introduce a resolution forcing a vote of no confidence in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Bush Administration's Iraq policies:



"We are living in a pivotal time in the history of our world. Our way of life is under siege. Our men and women in the armed forces are risking their lives daily to defend our freedoms. Yet, in the face of such high stakes, Democrats choose instead to demonize our nation's leaders and politicize the most critical issue of our time - defeating terrorism worldwide. The American people will not be duped by Democrats' smoke and mirrors. As President Bush and Republicans in Congress continue to pursue an aggressive strategy to win the Global War on Terror, Americans will see the Democrats' tactics for what they are: political grandstanding that distracts from protecting American families."

- Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC)



"The President and his administration have shown a deep understanding of the distinct challenges of terrorism, a commitment to taking the fight to the terrorists, and an assurance that our government will utilize all necessary tools to protect our homeland. I agree with those who liken this to a World War III. We are in a fight for the future of our civilization, and we must remain deeply committed to this effort."

- Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA)



"It's near-sighted to think we can walk away from the main front of the War on Terror and distract this nation's focus with meaningless resolutions. We must remain committed to fighting terrorism, both at home and abroad. These terrorists are committed to killing Americans and disrupting our way of life. We must continue to fight terrorism with the same dedication and passion as we near the fifth anniversary of 9/11. This political stunt is another example of the Democrats putting their blind desire to capture the Majority ahead of the security of this nation."

- Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA)



"It is just plain irresponsible for elected officials to play politics during a time of war. Terrorism does not stop for midterm elections, and the Democrats believe it is harmless to spin their wheels and rhetoric for the television cameras as our men and women defend us in the War on Terror. It is not harmless. Their posturing has a negative affect on the safety of Americans and our troops worldwide. Secretary Rumsfeld has done a fine job of transforming the outdated and conventional armed forces program into the modern day force required to fight contemporary terrorism. While I recognize some things could have been done differently, he and those in the Department of Defense are adapting improved strategies and procedures in response to ongoing changes in our defense needs."

- Congressman Steve King (R-IA)



"This was yet another cheap attempt by the Democrats to cause more polarization on the War on Terror for their own political gain. It is a shame they choose to ignore and overshadow the many successes in the War on Terror in this manner."

- Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC)



"We are in the midst of a worldwide war against terrorism. Attacks on the leadership of this administration's defense strategy are little more than grandstanding by opposition opportunists. I want to thank Secretary Rumsfeld for his leadership. He has led the Department of Defense during two wars, wars that resulted in the liberation of 25 million people in Afghanistan and 25 million people in Iraq . Now is not the time to change the leadership. Retreat is not the answer and no is not a policy."

- Congressman Henry Brown (R-SC)



"If you believe that George Bush and Don Rumsfeld are causing our problems with Muslim terrorists, then you absolutely have to believe that Bill Clinton caused 9-11. There is no choice because we know unequivocally that the planning and preparation for 9-11 were all begun and almost completed while Bill Clinton was President. The fact is that, though Bill Clinton may be guilty of many things, he did nothing to deserve 9-11 being plotted while he was President. Actually, if you look at the areas and causes for which he committed troops, it was almost always to help Muslims. He was the most friendly President in history to Palestinians. Clinton did nothing to deserve the 9-11 atrocity being plotted while he was President. The current President understands we are in a world war for our survival and we cannot withdraw. It will keep coming after us unless we get it first. The failure to win means we are sent back to another Dark Ages. We are safer today than we were on 9 / 11 because now we know we are in a war, and we did not in 1993 after the first attack on the World Trade Center and the Terrorists know now that they have been engaged, have paid and are continuing to pay the price for there acts of war against us."

- Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX)

Where they Stand (on Iraq)

The debate on the WOT over the next two months will not resemble anything we have had in the previous two cycles.The Democrats simply do not believe we are at War and they might now feel that enough Americans agree with them that they can actually tell the truth about their view on the WAR ON TERROR.THEY ARE WRONG!



WHERE THEY STAND

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., was the only member of the S.C. delegation to vote against the use of force in Iraq. Three years later, the delegation remains largely supportive of the war, though more concerns are being raised about its conduct.

• Clyburn, of Columbia, still opposes the war as a costly, bloody mistake.

• U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., of York, voted in favor of the Iraq war resolution after an unsuccessful push to have the Bush administration seek more weapons inspections and international support. Spratt is critical of how the administration has handled the war but agrees with Bush on the importance of success in Iraq.

• With the exception of U.S. Reps. Bob Inglis of Travelers Rest and Gresham Barrett of Westminster — neither of whom were in Congress in 2002 when the war vote was taken — the state’s Republican congressmen voted in favor of the war resolution. Inglis recently returned from Iraq and has said more pressure should be applied to Iraqi leaders, who need to take firmer control.

• U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., of Springdale, has been a vocal supporter of the administration’s policies in Iraq. He has traveled to the region, and his son served in Iraq. As he travels through his congressional district, Wilson carries an “Iraq Update” flyer that highlights progress he believes is being overlooked amid the problems there. “I’m really an optimist,” Wilson said. “We are making progress.”