Ravenel calls himself 'a Reagan Republican'

The Herald ^ | January 16‚ 2004 | Andrew Dys

[JohnnyZ]

U.S. Senate candidate Thomas Ravenel billed himself as "a Reagan Republican" as he stumped for votes in Rock Hill on Thursday, saying federal spending has to be clamped down.

Lower taxes and less government are vital for a strong America, Ravenel told the Kiwanis Club during a speech at the City Club of Rock Hill. A strong national defense to fight terrorism is the No. 1 issue facing the country, Ravenel said, but "to pay for it you need a strong economy."

Charleston's Ravenel, 41, a real estate developer, is the second Senate candidate to speak to the Kiwanis Club. Former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon spoke in December, and the club hopes to have the remaining candidates speak in the next few months.

Besides Condon and Ravenel, former Gov. David Beasley, Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride and U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint are seeking the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings. A primary will be in June, and the general election will be in November.

Beasley officially joined the race Wednesday, but Ravenel said Beasley and the others are not running against him, but with each other for the chance to beat a Democrat.

"I welcome Governor Beasley into the fray," Ravenel said.

Ravenel said government's role should be to get out of the way so that business can prosper, creating wealth and jobs. He supports the Bush tax cuts.

Ravenel slammed Democrats and trial lawyers, saying judicial reform is needed to stop frivolous lawsuits he described as "out of control."

He favors a loser-pays system of civil courts but would go even further, like Brazil.

"There if the loser can't pay, his lawyer pays," Ravenel said.

Ravenel is not all in the Bush camp though, saying the "No Child Left Behind" federal education initiative is full of good intentions but unattainable because of bloated education bureaucracies.

Federal education spending has mushroomed from $36 billion to $56 billion under a Republican controlled White House and Congress, he said.

Ravenel favors some privatization of Social Security and Medicare, saying, "Consumer choice and competition are the key."

[JohnnyZ]

Ravenel is the son of a former Congresscritter and would probably make a good senator. He hails from Charleston, which is a good geographic base.

[Clintonfatigued]

I am intrigued by a Ravenel candidacy. He is a conservative from the all-important Charleston area, he has personal wealth to use, and has some name I.D., as his father is a long-time office-holder (state legislator, ex-Congressman) from Charleston. There is one important question about Ravenel: where does he stand on free trade vs. fair trade?

[phillyfanatic]

It seems to me as I have read of this race, that DeMint has the largest face-time in the media and the most support so far. Perhaps Johnny Z can keep us up to date with poll numbers when they come out?!

[Clintonfatigued]

I don't think that Jim DeMint is strong enough to win statewide. He is a free-trader, and South Carolina is a protectionist state.

[Kuksool]

Being from Low Country is a huge plus in this Senate race. I have a feeling the Senate race will be determined by Low Country. Beasley has had problems with Low Country in his campaign runs. The question is, will Low Country residents, Condon and Ravenel, cancel each other out and allow DeMint to win the GOP primary through his strong support in Up Country?

[Impy]

I think any of the Republicans would win. Inez!!! is like a female rat Bill Weld. She can win state office but the state's partisan balance will bite her on the (noun) in November.

[Clintonfatigued]

You may be right. But Inez Tennenbaum could turn out to be the Mary Landrieau of South Carolina if Republicans nominate an unappealing candidate. South Carolina is conservative and usually Republican, but it's also protectionist and upset about corporate scandals.