I know he was state chairman, it’s not going to derail the campaign. Dream on.
No, Mr. 'I've been studying terrorists since 1975' is doing that all by himself.
This one incident won't do much to his NATIONAL campaign in the long-run, but anyone who doesn't think this doesn't have a major effect on his STATE campaign in South Carolina is kidding themselves. Three points:
1) Rudy was an incredibly hard-sell in South Carolina to begin with, as he is a pro-abortion, pro-gay, gun-grabbing candidate trying to win the Republican nomination in a state dominated with super social conservatives. Having Ravenel as his state campaign manager was the one lifeboat he had to stay afloat, as the Ravenel family is a big name is South Carolina and having the so-called "true conservative" Ravenel vouch for Rudy had given him crediblity. Now that the real Ravenel has been exposed, Rudy must find another SC Republican willing to back someone with his "values". He will most likely end up with a third-rate little known Republuican. Any replacement Rudy can find for state party chair won't have nearly the type of gravitas. What little chance Rudy had of winning the SC primary is gone.
2) With Ravenel gone from the picture, any chance the Graham haters had of finding a first-tier challenger for Graham is also gone. Why do you think they were pressing so hard for a Rudybot with questionable morals to run even AFTER he had ruled it out? He was the one credible "100% pure" statewide official they had. Unless hell freezes over and Mark Sanford runs for the Senate, any Graham challenger next year will be 2nd rate as best. Notice on this thread, they're now gunning for Karen "I'm the only Republican who failed to get elected statewide in South Carolina" Floyd as the next best choice. Obviously the #2 choice is quite a step down from the gravitas of no. #1. 'Nuff said.
3) With Ravenel's ugly truth coming out, Sanford will be sure to appoint an intermin treasuer who is squeaky clean, and probably a mainstream Republican who won't rock any boats by running off to cast his lot with Rudy. So ironically, all the anti-Graham freepers who said their goal was to get rid of someone who was "an embarrassment" for South Carolina have gotten their wish -- except it's the exact opposite of the candidate they intended!