Carolina Politics Online

Erick Erickson from the conservative organization RedState wrote a piece this morning explaining why it’s futile for grassroots conservatives within the Republican Party to depend on conservative party “leaders” to make the first move in getting behind a quality candidate.  He cites Nikki Haley’s candidacy as an example.

In Pennsylvania, again Jim DeMint showed real leadership. He came out for Pat Toomey when everybody else went with Specter. Now it looks like Toomey has a serious shot at winning. Conservatives took real risks in going with Toomey. But with that great risk is coming a great reward.

That’s not happening so much any more.

In South Carolina, Nikki Haley struggles to get momentum. Republicans like Sarah Palin and others could come in and endorse her. But then if she loses these potential 2012 Presidential candidates might have to face a South Carolina Governor who they didn’t endorse. But Haley is the one who is most right on the most issues. She is the dream candidate with the compelling narrative.

RedState

I don’t know that I’d consider Sarah Palin to be a grassroots conservative leader considering that she required a $100,000 fee to be a speaker at the recent national tea party event in Nashville, but conservatives around the country seem to have an infatuation with her.  Her example aside, I do agree with Erickson when it comes to Nikki Haley.  Of all candidates on both sides of the aisle Haley is the one I am most confident in when it comes to bringing this state forward and achieving positive results.  The fact that RedState has endorsed her candidacy tells me that she should be the ideal candidate for most conservatives as well, yet leaders of the conservative movement are MIA when it comes to getting out in public and pushing her candidacy to Republican primary voters.  Is Erickson correct in his assessment that Republican presidential wannabees are reluctant to weigh in on the gubernatorial race due to a fear of not backing the eventual winning candidate and losing support of the future governor of the first in the south primary come 2012?  After all, historically the Republican candidate that has won the South Carolina presidential primary has gone on to win the party nomination at the convention.

A true principled leader would certainly not let politics sway their voice.  As Erickson pointed out, political convenience did not stop Senator DeMint from publicly stating that he would not back the reelection of an incumbent seeking reelection in his own party.  That, my friends, is true leadership, so where are the movement “leaders” for Haley?

The Cumberland County Republican Party had a big “to do” last week and a crowd of about 300 gave their endorsements for candidates in the 2nd, 7th, and 8th Congressional Districts in North Carolina, all of which cut in to Cumberland County due to a gerrymander in which the City of Fayetteville is located.

The straw poll winners were:

• Renee Ellmers – NC-02
• Will Breazeale – NC-07
• Lou Huddleston – NC-08

In my political experience straw polls are really just a way to gauge where the committee insider support is going to be.  They carry very little weight when it comes to who the voters are going to choose and that’s a good thing because for what ever reason they also decided to hold a presidential candidate straw poll vote and Caribou Barbie emerged as the victor.

Slowly back away and run.

A few weeks back I wrote about how Change the Congress in 2010 came out against Patrick McHenry’s reelection bid and instead endorsed one of his primary opponents, Iredell County Commissioner Scott Keadle. Keadle’s endorsement was based on the idea that he will not be a career politician and has experience as the average working man, something sorely lacking in the halls of D.C.

Keadle’s campaign have responded to the endorsement.

“Scott is always pleased to have the endorsement of true conservatives who want to take our government back from career politicians. It takes guts to challenge the powerful Washington establishment, and Scott shares that quality with Mrs. Wellborn. Obviously she recognizes that before we can clean out the Democrats in the fall elections, we must first nominate authentic Republicans. Scott is the real deal–no politics, no bull, just a dentist and a family man who has had enough of the same lousy people getting the same lousy results. He’s tired of watching his team lose and he thinks we need new players on the field.”

“Conservatives across the country are demanding a return to citizen-legislators who truly represent the intent of our Founding Fathers. It is time for an end to Washington insiders ruining our country. Change The Congress 2010 members from here in Western North Carolina have given Scott financial and volunteer support, and are excited about his candidacy.”

A few months back I wrote about an organization that sprouted up out of Charleston called Change the Congress in 2010, the brain child of a Ms Catherine Welborn with the explicit intent of removing as many incumbents from Congress as possible.  The group has crossed the border into North Carolina and now has their eyes set on Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry.

Late last week, the group came out and publicly endorsed one of McHenry’s Republican primary opponents, Iredell County Commissioner Scott Keadle.  I exchanged emails with Ms Welborn and she cited her motivation being a great many grievances with the current sitting Congressman.  Among them were several improprieties that have shown up in the media over the past few years.  These include the 2007 indictment of one of McHenry’s campaign aids, his 2005 appearance on “ABC World News Tonight” in which he defended then House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s Congressional ethics violations, and a voting scandal in which McHenry claimed a owner occupied tax deduction on a Washington D.C. home, while still voting in North Carolina.

What seems to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, however, was the recent release of an article by the John Locke Foundation.

Fighting the pay raise

A few lawmakers have consistently fought automatic pay raises. Among them is Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, who, according a recent Deseret News article, has tried vainly every year since he was first elected to Congress in 2000 to force a straight up-or-down vote. With the economic downturn, Matheson predicted lawmakers in the new 111th Congress might be more interested in forcing the issue to a vote.

Early in 2009, three bills were introduced in the House and one in the Senate to deal with this issue. All members of the N.C. delegation were contacted. Of those who responded, most added they would likely support any bill to stop pay raises, should one come up for a vote.

The first bill, H.R. 156, would prevent members of Congress from receiving any automatic pay adjustment in 2010. N.C. delegation cosponsors are Reps. Walter Jones, R-3rd, Howard Coble, R-6th; Sue Myrick, R-9; Larry Kissell, D-8th; and Heath Shuler, D-11th. Rep. David Price, D-4th, plans to cosponsor the bill, according to his spokesperson, and added the decision was made prior to being contacted about his position on this issue.

Rep. Virginia Foxx , R-5th, is a cosponsor of H.R. 346, which would repeal the law that provides automatic pay adjustments for members of Congress.

Coble is also a cosponsor of H.R. 201, which would prevent automatic pay raises for members of Congress in the year following a fiscal year in which there was a federal budget deficit.

S.B. 102 would repeal the law that provides automatic pay adjustments for members of Congress. Deputy Press Secretary David Ward said Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., has voted against automatic pay increases in the past and would do so again. Colleen Flanagan, a spokesperson for Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., said Hagan is opposed to any automatic pay adjustments, given these economic times.

Something is glaringly missing here.  Patrick McHenry.  Every member of the North Carolina Republican Congressional delegation has co-sponsored one of these bills, including a few Democrats, seemingly except for Patrick McHenry whose name is no where to be found.  I too found this somewhat curious and I emailed his press secretary last evening, whom I get frequent press releases from each week, asking about this.  At this point I have not received a response regarding my question, although I did receive a new press release this afternoon.

Regarding Mr. Keadle’s candidacy and her endorsement of him over McHenry, Welborn based her support upon Keadle’s promise to not be a career politician, but to serve no more than three terms in the House.  He has also pledged to oppose Congressional pay raises and to not accept the Congressional pension upon leaving Congress.

Welborn also stated, “Scott Keadle is not a career politician.  He is not in anyone’s debt, not beholden to any group or organization except the people of NC-10.  He believes that it’s time to take back our country.  He believes that it’s time to replace career politicians with people who have real experience working at real jobs.  He believes that it’s time to send real people to Washington, people with real experience dealing with families and the emergencies involved with families.”

I have to say, it’s difficult to argue with her logic.

First it was the Charleston County Republican Party that came out and publicly scolded Senator Graham for his Cap and Trade and illegal immigration support.  Now it’s the Lexington County GOP following in step.  They too have formally rebuked the Senator by passing a censure vote among the county committee.  A censure is really just a symbolic way of shaking their finger at Graham to show their disapproval.  It doesn’t actually have any effect on his ability to hold his office, but now that it’s happened to him twice he may consider taking his head out of his ass.

Of course, South Carolina could have had an excellent Senator in Democrat Bob Conley, but 58% of voters in 2008 decided to stick with Grahamnesty, but continue to complain about him.

This is rather interesting.  Public Policy Polling has a released a poll of North Carolina voters showing that the Republicans in the state have their best shot at capturing either the house of the state legislature or both since 1994.  According to the pollster, 43% of North Carolina voters prefer the Democrats in state races while 42% prefer Republicans.  That is basically a dead heat in a state that historically favors Democrats at the state and local level.  They go on to point out that Republicans are more coalesced around their party’s candidates than the Democrats and that the state’s independent voters give the GOP a slight edge.

I still hold my skepticism that the GOP will be able to take either house next year without some key retirements among the Democrats.  The Republicans need to pick up six Senate seats to win the majority in the State Senate or nine House seats for the State House.  That’s a tall order without any retirements given the typical incumbent retention rate.  I would like to see at least one of the chambers change hands, however, because the Democrats have brought this state to a tipping point where it’s now teetering on the edge of being shaped into a northeastern rust bucket.  There needs to be a balance in the legislature.

This is Tom Fetzer’s time to shine.

The Charleston County Republican Party’s executive committee took the unusual step Monday night of censuring U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. because of several positions he has taken that clash with the GOP party line.

County Chairwoman Lin Bennett said the unanimous vote “is an effort to get his attention. They’re just fed up, and they want him to know they’re fed up.”

The resolution mentions Graham’s cooperation with U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., on energy legislation to his support for the $700 billion Troubled Assett Relief Program to his calling some opponents “bigots” when they opposed his immigration stance.

The Post and Courier

Personally, I wish we had a recall provision like in California where we could just recall Graham.  If Cap and Trade ends up getting through the Senate because of Graham’s support, the lives of the thousands of South Carolinians that will be destroyed will be all on his shoulders.  Cap and Trade will destroy jobs and do nothing to curb carbon emissions.  I have even read that there is a provision in the legislation that once the law goes into the effect you will have to make energy upgrades to your home if you go to sell it to the cost of several thousand dollars.

Homebuyers Beware. Trying to save up for a new home? You may have to save up a little longer for your purchase. The Democrats’ bill would dramatically increase new home costs by mandating California’s expensive new building codes for the entire nation. Immediately upon enactment, the Democrats’ bill would demand a 30 percent increase in energy efficiency for new construction. A couple of years later, the Democrats’ bill would require an additional 50 percent improvement. These numbers were chosen with no concern for cost to consumers or feasibility in implementation.

John Boehner

Is this what Lindsey Graham thinks the people of South Carolina support??  The Federal government nosing its way into our homes and telling us how to update it before we can sell it?  How about the increased costs in home building raising the price of homes putting them farther out of reach for many Americans, essentially killing the dream of home ownership?

Lindsey Graham is a an authoritarian thief of everyone’s freedom.  The man should be “hung from the Liberty Tree.”  A mere censure is being way too nice.

Congressman Joe Wilson will be the guest of honor at the York County Republican Party’s Christmas fundraiser. Interesting choice.  The event will take place on Friday, December 11th in the Magnolia Room at Laurel Creek beginning at 6:30PM.  More details below courtesy of The Herald.

This year’s featured charity is Toys for Happiness, which collaborates with United Way of York County and various other groups to help families in need.

Guests are asked to bring items to benefit children from birth through 14 years. These items range from educational toys, gifts for infants/toddlers, sports equipment, arts and crafts supplies to $10 to $15 gift cards for ages 12 through 14.

Tickets are $50 a person or $95 a couple and include a festive buffet of heavy hors d’eouvres and a cash bar. For more information, e-mail Diane Carr at dianecarr1@bellsouth.net.

A political tip: If you’re going to send something to the governor’s office, you better know what’s in it.

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger showed off a wheelbarrow full of “Conservative Voter Surveys” Tuesday that he said reflected lots of anger and frustration with Democrats.

We’re guessing Berger never imagined the governor’s staff would bother to read them. He was wrong.

Perdue spokeswoman Chrissy Pearson, responding to a request from Dome, said she had skimmed about a third of the 3,000 or so surveys. She noted comments written to the Republican party included:

“I am embarrassed to be associated with this organization. Your tactics are disgusting and you’re going to lose a generation of voters.”

And then there was the check. A staff member found a $50 campaign contribution made out to Berger tucked in the surveys, which were, after all, a fundraising ploy.

The N&O

::head in hands::

::heavy sobbing::

Hendersonville mayor Greg Newman (R) has said that he will run for congress against Rep. Heath Shuler (D) in N.C.’s western-most house seat. Newman was elected mayor in 2005, and before that he was a local lawyer and prosecutor.

“What I think I’m going to have to do to be successful is make myself available in the district and get outside Hendersonville and Henderson County, and really connect with people with both parties,” said Newman, 47.
“I’m just going to have to go out and do what I’ve done as a lawyer for 20 years — get out there and make my case,” Newman said.

The Ashville Citizen-Times

Anyone challenging Shuler has a tough road ahead of them. But if Shuler is going to lose, this is probably the year. Shuler has done a very good job of appearing to be a moderate voice, but 2010 will be the most opportune time to tie him to Queen Nancy and her happy band of goofballs up in D.C.

Attorney Ed Krause has also entered the race as a Republican, but with considerably less fanfare than Newman. Other candidates being mentioned are Western Carolina University Professor Daniel Ostergaard, former state Rep. Charles Thomas, and 2008 candidate Carl Mumpower.  Dr. Dan Eichenbuam of the Ron Paul-ite wing of the party might jump in too.

People have asked me why I am running for the State House 33 seat in the North Carolina legislature.
I have to respond that “We are losing our freedom and God given rights on a daily basis”.

People ask me why in a state so dominated by the Democratic Party why I am running as a Republican.
I have to respond that “My core principles are a best fit in the Republican Party. It is apparent with the level of corruption and quid pro quo that is happening in North Carolina, we are corrupt only second to Illinois”. Let me be blunt, the Democratic Party leadership is responsible.

I have been asked what we can do about jobs in North Carolina. I have been asked what we can do about returning this state and District 33 back to prosperity.
First we need to reduce the tax burden on the small businesses and people who are the spenders in this capitalist society. And at the same time we need to go back to zero based budgeting. It is common sense to only budget what we NEED and what we can AFFORD as a state.

Another question that has come up is the Defense of Marriage act.
Unlike my opponents I am fearless when it comes to defending marriage being defined as the union of one woman and one man at one time. This is especially important in District 33. I will put any opponent I face next year in the spotlight concerning this issue.

I have been asked about forced annexation and property rights in this state.
Those two issues are both separate and connected in some way. The municipalities are allowed to annex without reservations any blocks of unincorporated land in their zone of influence. And the Supreme Court allows a government to take from you to give to another private entity. These are both issues where we need to pass laws not allowing either one of these issue without those citizens approving it.

I have been asked about redistricting and how that will affect us in the future.
Republicans have to win the State House and or State Senate next year. And we need the help of independents and Conservative Democrats next year. Not winning is not an option. Gerrymandering, some of which has been struck down by the courts, disenfranchises many voters.

How are Republicans going to win?
We need the grassroots volunteers and most of all we need money. $20 dollars from many people will add up for us state level candidates, and donations of $100 will be critical. In my case I can expect my opponent to raise close to $50,000. My campaign as an example will need at a minimum of $20,000 to get out the mailers to like minded voters before the election. If 1,000 people gave $20 or even 500 gave $40 that would equal the minimum.

I am enthusiastic about the results of the School Board elections in Wake County. It was a bipartisan effort by everyone along the entire political spectrum that brought change to our schools. Unlike the current House 33 seat holder, I will be on a mission to do what is right for all of House 33’s citizens. Listening to the citizens will be my first priority.

John W. Pope Civitas Institute

In a recent USA Today article summarizing how states balanced their budgets this summer, Vice President of the National Taxpayers Union Pete Sepp declared, “With a few exceptions, states have been able to avoid the doomsday projections that big tax hikes were on the way.”

Unfortunately, North Carolina was one of those “exceptions.”

Democrats like Chairman David Young always use the class warfare theme of taxing the rich. Except in this instance they raised the sales tax and created many new fees. And of course a higher sales tax has an ever increasing impact on the poor and middle class. The more money they take out of your pocket means less freedom for you and more power to the government.

I do hope everyone sees through the smoke and mirrors being put out by the North Carolina Democratic leadership. Even a newly appointed Democrat in House 33 has only towed the party line. She has not voted against any Democrat bill. One has to wonder how many Democrats below the leadership actually read the bills.

If you disagree with the last tens years remember that off year municipal and next year’s elections are your opportunity to throw off the yoke of a possible socialist agenda. I do not use that word lightly and I do not throw it around. I implore you to fight back against the tide.  I am truly afraid of what is happening to us locally and nationally.

The Republican committees of Newberry and Laurens Counties are hosting the first gubernatorial debate for the 2010 election season.  It will be a debate of the five current and potential Republican gubernatorial candidates and will be broadcast via the Web at www.wistv.com.  People across the state can submit questions via YouTube to www.NewberryGOP.com.

The debate will begin at 7:00pm at the Newberry Opera House and tickets are $25 per person and available from both county Republican committees.

Participating candidates are:

• Congressman Gresham Barrett
• Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer
• Sen. Larry Grooms
• Rep. Nikki Haley
• Attorney General Henry McMaster

I wrote about this last week.  The House Republican Caucus had a taxpayer funded junket in Myrtle Beach over this weekend and the skinny was that they would consider a possible impeachment of Sanford.  I said then and I obviously still think that if Sanford doesn’t resign they will follow through on the threat.  Sanford has no happy alternative, but it would behoove him to resign and bow out gracefully rather than his legacy forever being the governor who got impeached.  At least if he leaves by his own accord he’ll save that little teensy bit of dignity he has left.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sixty-one South Carolina House Republicans asked Gov. Mark Sanford to resign Wednesday, questioning his ability to lead the state since his unannounced summertime trip to see a mistress in Argentina and investigations of his state and private travel that followed.

“Your decision to abandon our state for five days, with no defined order of succession and with no known way to contact you, is inexcusable,” said a letter from the lawmakers signed by House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham.

The letter, which listed the names of 59 other lawmakers, came a day after the House speaker issued a similar call. Any move to impeach the GOP governor would begin in the House, which has 72 Republicans, 51 Democrats and one empty seat. Bingham’s office said an additional member joined the effort after the letter landed on Sanford’s desk.

The chamber’s Democratic leader, Rep. Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, has said his caucus will discuss the governor next month.

The AP

There are more than enough votes to impeach.  They need 83.  60 Republicans appear to have committed.  You can guarantee that all the Democrats will vote for it so Sanford will lose this battle in a landslide and hence the war will be over.  Sanford’s last stand.

The State House Republican Caucus, wining and dining themselves on our dime this weekend in Myrtle Beach, have shown no love for Governor Sanford.  According to The State many state reps are pushing for impeachment, but House Speaker Bobby Harrell is insisting on waiting for the results of a pending ethics report.  Two things are certain .  They want Sanford gone and Sanford isn’t leaving unless forced to.

The Civitas Institute will be holding their fourth annual Conservative Leadership Conference in Raleigh Septemeber 11th and 12th at the Sheraton Hotel.  Those interested in attending can sign up at Citivas’ Web site.

That’s the word according to an email forwarded to me.  Why is it that our “representative” up here in the upstate doesn’t feel the need to speak with and hear the opinions of his constituents?  I know why.  He knows this health care plan is going to go over like a ton of bricks and he’s going to get his ass reamed like many of his colleagues have been across the country.  Let’s be real here.  Jack Spratt doesn’t represent this district anymore; he represents the loony leaders of his party, people like Nancy Pelosi.  He has apparently succumbed to the false reality that so many career politicians do when they’ve been in office for too long.  He thinks he’s invincible at the ballot box and there was a time that may have been true, but not anymore.

Spratt has had one real scare and that was in 1994 when he barely won reelection with 52% of the vote.  That was the year Republicans were sweeping the Democrats all across the country.  Since then he has cruised fairly easy to reelection, but the Fifth Congressional District has changed.  In 2006, Republican Ralph Norman held him to just 57% of the vote in a year that Democrats swept the country and having been outspent by Spratt nearly two to one.  According to the Cook Political Index, the Fifth District is now ranked R +7 meaning Republican presidential candidates have received seven points over the national average in the past few elections.  That’s pretty significant.  Spratt is on borrowed time and should he make it all the way to retirement the Fifth is a definite GOP pick up.  I don’t think we’ll have to wait that long, though.

Despite how strong the Republicans are in South Carolina they haven’t put much effort into finding a strong challenger to Spratt, but I have one.  The perfect candidate is RNC Committeeman and York County Republican Chairman Glenn McCall.  McCall is well respected in the area and is an honest and principled man who has the right ideas for how this country should be run and the direction it should be taken in.  If McCall hasn’t considered a challenge to Spratt, he really should because I think next year is a prime opportunity that hasn’t come often.  Two major issues are going to hurt Spratt at the polls if he’s beaten with them over and over.  One is his vote for Cap and Trade, an example of when he voted to support Nancy Pelosi instead of his constituents.  The second will be his vote for this disastrous health care bill coming out of the house.  Yes, I’m pretty certain he is going to support it.  Why else would he not hold any meetings around the district to discuss this bill and hear the wishes of the voters?  It’s because he’s already made up his mind what he’s going to do and he doesn’t care what we think.  The Republicans are foolish if they brush this seat off next year as too much of a long shot and right now that seems to be the case.  The NRCC released their list of the 70 Congressional seats they are going to put their focus on next year and Spratt’s wasn’t one of them.  They plan to target the First Congressional District of Hawaii, where they haven’t got a bat’s chance in Hell, but they’ll let Spratt coast right by.  This is all the more reason why a strong candidate like McCall needs to get into the race, to keep Spratt from coasting right by.  He can defeat him.

Those of you in the Fifth District who want to keep the Congress from destroying your health care are urged to call Spratt’s offices day and night and make it very clear to him that you do not support this legislation.

Washington Office
1401 Longworth Bldg.
Washington, DC 20515
Tel. 202-225-5501
Fax 202-225-0464

Rock Hill Office
201 E. Main Street, Suite 305
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Tel. 803-327-1114
Fax 803-327-4330

Last week, I’m sure many of our readers opened their mailboxes and got a nice little “howdy” from new NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer. The state party sent out a survey to gauge our opinion on such pressing and controversial matters as “Do you support job-killing tax hikes proposed by the Democrats?” or some such nonsense.

I highly doubt the NCGOP gives a damn about your answers. This was nothing more than a fundraising letter with a bunch of questions attached to it to make it look like they care about what you have to say. Well, let this one Republican save you the time of reading my survey answers, NCGOP.

One of your questions was: “Why did the GOP lose the 2006 and 2008 elections?”. One of the possible answers was “Too many Republicans acted like Democrats.” I’m glad you realize that that’s certainly part of it.

Then you lost me, and any chance you had of getting my money (which, admittedly, wasn’t much of a chance to begin with), with your last question: “Do you support spending $25 million building a pier for Marc Basnight?” Well, no. Unfortunately, had I been in the General Assembly, I would have been the only Republican to vote that way!

Let me say this again- for all the bitching and moaning Republicans are doing about this $25 million boondoggle pier, NOT A SINLGE GOP SENATOR OR HOUSE MEMBER VOTED AGAINST THE THING. Not one. Zero. Zip. Nada. Zilch.

You are like the guard dog who sleeps through the burglary, wakes up after everything’s gone, and starts barking. What the hell good are you if you’re telling me about the burglary AFTER my stereo’s been lifted?

So don’t bother looking for my check, NCGOP- it’s not coming. Not until you prove to me that you actually give a damn about protecting North Carolina taxpayers. Not until you take a firm stance against socialists like Fletcher Hartsell and Richard Stevens, who run as Republicans only to vote against freedom. Not until you get your act together, grow a backbone, vote the way we expect you to vote, and punish those who don’t. Do that, and maybe you’ll see some money. Continue on the path you’ve been walking, however, and don’t expect to see too many contributions, or a way out of the minority.

North Carolina is building a new pier near Nags Head, but this is not just a simple boardwalk from which to cast a fishing rod.

This pier is essentially an aquarium on piling, with live animal exhibits, a 16,000-square-foot pier house and wind turbines generating electricity.

The price tag is $25 million.

The N&O

We’d like to remind you that while this spending outrage flew under everyone’s radar, a few months ago Civitas made this one of their Bad Bills of the Week. Then we here at CPO picked this up and even made it part of our Dead Republican Walking series.

In fact, I seem to remember a lot of Republicans voting for this when it came up. In fact, didn’t EVERY Republican vote for it?

Lawmakers unanimously passed legislation in April, well into the state’s fiscal crisis, that converted those funds to construction money. Not a single legislator voted against it.

“It was a mistake,” Berger said, adding that he and others should have given the bill tougher scrutiny.

Yeah, well if I had last night’s lotto numbers I’d be shopping for castles in Ireland right now, so woulda, coulda, shoulda, Sen. Berger. You’re not much of a fiscal watchdog when you start barking after-the-fact. Civitas could recognize the fetid smell of wasted tax dollars from a mile away, but it doesn’t look like we’ve got anyone in the General Assembly who can do the same.

This censure resolution was passed by the state committee last night after a lengthy conference call.

“Whereas, the South Carolina Republican Party adopts this Resolution of Censure as a unified expression of the Party’s opinion in the recent matter relating to Governor Marshall Clement Sanford, Jr.; and

“Whereas, the South Carolina Republican Party adheres to a set of core principles and beliefs, primarily but not exclusively expressed in our Platform; and

“Whereas, the revelations regarding Governor Sanford’s private and public conduct demonstrate repeated failures to act in accordance with these core principles and beliefs; and

“Whereas, Governor Sanford’s conduct, in addition to falling below the standards expected of Republican elected officials, has breached the public’s trust and confidence in his ability to effectively perform the duties of his office; and

“Whereas, a formal admonishment by the South Carolina Republican Party is appropriate and necessary and, barring further revelations, will be the Party’s last word on the matter;

“Therefore, be it resolved, that the South Carolina Republican Party does, with great regret, censure Governor Mark Sanford for his recent conduct.”

So what does this mean?  Pretty much nothing.  Censuring is just a reprimand akin to shaking one’s finger at someone because you don’t like what they did.  It’s a public scolding and not much more.  The Democrats have a different take on this action.

A day after the state Republican Party voted to formally reprimand Gov. Mark Sanford, state Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler said the action in effect tries to shield the governor from his wrongdoing.

“What they did was designed to take the heat off the governor,” Fowler said this afternoon.

The Post and Courier

Is that what happened?  Maybe.  Most committee members voted on a reprimand rather than a resolution demanding he resign.  There doesn’t seem to be a lot of confidence in Andre Bauer taking the reigns so perhaps the thinking is to let Sanford just finish out his term and hopefully keep a low profile.