Free Republic

The hiring stage of the 2020 shadow primary is underway. At least a dozen possible Democratic presidential candidates have begun bolstering their teams by adding aides with campaign experience to their Senate staffs, personal offices or 2018 reelection payrolls. The hires are never explicitly advertised or designed to be about 2020. But the behind-the-scenes shuffle is a long-overdue stage in the traditional precampaign scramble. Potential candidates who have run before — like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden — largely have their core teams in place.

Black lawmakers say their agenda is stifled LEE BANDY Knight Ridder Newspapers COLUMBIA -- Most black legislators say they can't get their proposals passed or even considered in the General Assembly because of an age-old problem -- racism. They say if they want to get a bill through the Legislature, they normally have to take it to a friendly white Republican lawmaker and ask him or her to introduce it. "Black legislators still are searching for equal footing in the General Assembly," said state Rep. Seth Whipper, a black lawmaker from Charleston. "There are problems with complete acceptance by white...