South CarolinaPing
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Posted on 10/13/2009 7:21:22 PM PDT by MitchellC
October 12, 2009 —
Every few years, Republicans get ambitious and mount a well-financed challenge to US Rep. John Spratt (D) in South Carolina’s 5th District (Rock Hill, etc.). They almost succeeded in 1994 amidst the tsunami that swept Democrats from office all over the country. But that close call -- Spratt won with a mere 52% -- was not repeated in ’96 nor in subsequent years when a combination of the GOP’s national money and its local muscle never got that close again. By 2008, Spratt had nominal Republican opposition and won with 62% at the same time John McCain was carrying the district with 53%.
Once again Republicans are gearing up to do serious battle with Spratt. Although he has not announced, state Sen. Michael “Mick” Mulvaney (R) is expected to declare his candidacy in the near future, possibly at an October 17 gathering of the district’s Republican officials in Lancaster. Mulvaney represents a senate district that includes the Fort Mill area, now a suburb of Charlotte, N.C., and parts of Lancaster County, where he resides. He has an impressive educational background that includes Georgetown University, UNC-Chapel Hill law school, and Harvard Business School. He is one of the largest real estate developers in the area. He has been active in business and civic affairs in the district, serving on the boards of a hospital, the chamber of commerce, USC-Lancaster, United Way and other groups and institutions. In addition, Mulvaney has substantial experience -- and name ID -- from his service in the legislature, first in the state House of Representatives and now in the state Senate.
Glenn McCaul, chairman of the York County (Rock Hill, etc.) GOP and the state’s Republican National Committeeman, says Mulvaney will run well because he is extremely conservative and “passionate about the issues… People are looking for a change.” McCaul says key issues that Mulvaney and the voters care about include limited government and fiscal responsibility.
Despite the party’s losses in the past, the GOP’s interest in the district is not entirely quixotic. The 5th district has a Republican voting history, giving President Bush 57% to John Kerry’s 42% in 2004 and usually favoring Republican candidates in contests for statewide offices. Moreover, Spratt’s voting record provides a reasonable target in this time of conservative anger at the new administration. The National Journal rated him 68% liberal, 32% conservative, not a passing grade by national Democratic standards, but hardly that appealing to 5th District voters.
Spratt, however, has substantial advantages. He has represented this district in congress for 27 years, giving him seniority in a state where it is highly appreciated. He chairs the House Budget Committee and is the second ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. He has a reputation for staying on top of casework for folks in his district. A lawyer and banker, he is well connected to his district’s business and civic establishment. Moreover, the district is 31% black, giving any Democrat a significant base. Finally, he’s good in the money game. Spratt’s 3rd Quarter financial report has not yet been published, but at mid-year, he had a healthy $574,000 on hand, and given his clout in a Democratic-controlled congress, he should have little difficulty filling a large war chest.
Jay Parmley, executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party, has little doubt that Spratt will prevail, although he acknowledges that Mulvaney is “a credible opponent.” Says Parmley, “Spratt has had several what Republicans believe to be tough challengers and each time [Spratt] does better and better.” He notes that 5th District Democrats are very loyal. “When Spratt needs them, they rise to the occasion.” Indeed, Parmley believes that the extra Democratic turnout in the 5th District, due to a Spratt-Mulvaney contest, will help Democrats in next year’s governor’s race.
Spratt, 67, is so likely to get re-elected, opines Parmley, that Mulvaney “is probably just jockeying for name ID for when the seat might become open” in the future.
Spratt remains the favorite, but if the hostility to President Obama’s domestic agenda continues to build in the region, the long-serving congressman could face a surprisingly tough race. For starters, watch Mulvaney’s financial report for the 4th Quarter, due out in January, to see if he’s getting significant money from contributors in the 5th District, a sign that some of the local moguls are beginning to rebel.
Now SC must somehow recall Lindsey Graham from office.
Heck yeah. Joe Wilson is right. I hope this SC Dem gets a whuppin.
Let’s hope the local moguls rebel against that POS RINO sissy Lindsay Graham-nesty.
He is like a much more sissified version of Ashley Wilkes (see Gone with The Wind) or a slightly butcher version of Scarlett with far less backbone.
YES!!! Recall lindsay graham
Republicans score another recruiting success.
Can’t recall a federal officeholder, it’s not permitted under the Constitution. Prior to the popular vote for a U.S. Senator, when they were elected by the legislature, if a Senator wasn’t following the dictates of the legislature’s preferences, they’d often be honor-bound (not legally binding) to resign and be replaced by someone who would follow the legislature’s instructions.
Sprat is a jerk I hope he loses big
So you want Spratt to go splatt ? ;-)
Spratt’s hearing aid defense is right up there with Gore’s “iced tea” defense. More here http://www.heraldonline.com/109/story/795160.html
Oh well it was just a daydream then.
Unfortunately, SC doesn't have recall.
Miss Scarlett had better hair.
I have to wonder why the Pubs would put up another real estate developer against Spratt. The rural areas don't trust the big developers and that had a lot to do with Ralph Norman's loss to Spratt the last time.
Ralph Norman owns the Rock Hill end of the proposed Lancaster Hwy (Dave Lyle Blvd.) and Mulvaney owns the land on the other end. I believe that both are probably more interested in seeing this highway completed than representing South Carolinians.
NO state can recall a member of congress.
“The rural areas don’t trust the big developers”
Class warfare crap right out of the rat playbook.
“I believe that both are probably more interested in seeing this highway completed than representing South Carolinians.”
I bet Spratt is more interested in filling his fat face and lining his coffers with special interest money than representing South Carolinians.
I'm in SC-2, but contributed to Mulvaney’s campaign in SC-5.
The RNCC has shown an interest in this race through their ads, even though Spratt has a big lead in the money race. If Conservatives show their support for Conservative candidates, as they did for my congressman, Joe Wilson, they will continue to funnel money into this contest.
My hope is that Mulvaney gains support nationally, given that Pelosi’s agenda necessarily passes through House Budget Chairman Spratt’s committee.
Nancy is tied tightly around John Spratt’s neck. We need to make national Conservatives aware of the importance of this race.
I agree. There’s no reason that this race shouldn’t be in the national spotlight. Spratt has only skated by thanks to weak competition, and a national trend that hurt Ralph Norman in 2006.
Mitch:
Happy New Year to you and yours!
I would like to think that we could inform Freepers as to how important this race is for Conservatives. Do you have any ideas as to how we can let them weigh in on our “provincial” election ?
John Spratt has been flying under the radar for years, but now he is showing himself for what he really is, just another enabler for Nancy Pelosi and the leftists.
What this mouthpiece passes through his committee affects every American.
National Conservative voices need to be heard.
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