Jul 21 2008
Fletcher a Long Shot in the 46th
Kent Fletcher, a Democrat from Bluffton running for Senate District 46 representing Beaufort County, has not raised a single dollar since filing to run in March aside from $250 of his own money, according to a campaign finance report filed July 10.
Meanwhile, Republican opponent Tom Davis has already raised and spent more than $300,000 through the end of June, according to his July 10 finance report.
You have got to raise money. I’ve said it time and time again. You simply cannot win a race without the money needed to get your message out, especially when you’re the underdog.
“Politics is all local. The people of Beaufort County own that Senate seat, and not someone that raises $300,000 or any other amount,” Fletcher said. “No matter how much money is raised, you cannot buy a vote.”
That’s not entirely true. Unless Fletcher plans on knocking on every single door in the Senate district, which is impossible, money is the only option he has to communicate to the voters. If you want to look at it as vote buying so be it, but that’s a fact of campaigning.
This is a heavily Republican district. Davis is safe.
Was anyone aware that in 2003, then-Lt Kent Fletcher, a Marine officer in Iraq, was relieved of command for cowardice? During a firefight in An Nasiriyah, he abandoned the platoon that he was in command of, and ran into the back of another LAV, screaming, “We’re six inches away from death! We’re six inches away from death!”
There is more shame to his conduct as an officer than that. But I will leave it there.
I wouldn’t even care to post this. But the fact that he has a picture of himself on his website wearing Marine Corps Dress Blues, is a disgrace.
Since Mr. Fletcher is running on his Marine Corps bona fides, he should provide records of his military service to the media and the constituents that he wants to represent.
As the Company Commander that relieved Mr. Fletcher from his duty as platoon leader, I just wanted to back up the above response as valid.
I believe that anyone can change and make a positive impact on our society but it begins with integrity. If Mr. Fletcher wishes to represent a district in SC, I believe he should begin with representing himself and his military career honestly. I am mortified that he is using the Marine Corps as leverage for political gain.