Posted on 03/20/2013 10:54:48 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Nothing says “let’s change Washington” like re-electing a disgraced former Congressman who vowed to serve only three terms before tossing his hat in the ring again this year.
With all precincts reporting, unofficial results show Sanford received about 37 percent of the vote in the southern coastal district. It was unclear who he would face in the April 2 GOP runoff.
Former Charleston County councilman Curtis Bostic held a slim lead over state Sen. Larry Grooms for second place. But the margin is so narrow, less than one percent, that it will trigger an automatic recount. Teddy Turner, the son of media mogul Ted Turner, trailed Bostic and Grooms.
The eventual Republican candidate will square off in the May 7 general election against Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the sister of comedian Stephen Colbert. She won the Democratic primary for the seat, handily defeating perennial candidate Ben Frasier.
Actually, there won’t be an automatic recount between the second- and third-place finishers. Grooms, who finished with 12 percent, conceded this morning to Bostic, who finished with 13. Question for South Carolina politcos: Is there even a remote chance that Bostic will pull the upset on Sanford in the runoff? It’s not impossible for a candidate who finishes second in the first round of the primary to win the election. David Dewhurst beat Ted Cruz by 10 points in the first round in Texas last year; Cruz ended up crushing him in the runoff by 16, partly because the anti-Dewhurst vote consolidated behind him (and partly, of course, because he became a cause celebre among grassroots conservatives nationally). Sanford had way, way, way more name recognition than any of his opponents last night and still couldn’t get to 40 percent, so there’s obviously some anti-Sanford sentiment out there.
What I want to know from people who watch the state is whether there’s enough to propel Bostic to victory. He’s a lawyer and a former Marine, is popular among evangelicals and home-schoolers, and founded a nonprofit that does charity work for people under oppressive regimes but his experience in government is limited to two terms on the Charleston city council. Will all of that get him to 51 percent against a two-term governor, three-term Congressman, and once-upon-a-time potential presidential nominee, even with anti-Sanfordites turning out? I’m skeptical but willing to be corrected.
Either way, though, don’t worry about Colbert’s sister in the general election. She’ll have plenty of money for ads but the district hasn’t elected a Democrat in more than 30 years. Last night she won her primary with a bit less than 16,000 votes against a single opponent who barely charted. Sanford won the Republican primary with nearly 4,000 more votes than that despite facing a field of 15 candidates, some of them credible. Overall, more than 40,000 Republicans turned out to vote. The general election is a foregone conclusion. Is the runoff, though?
*sigh* The collective “we” get the government we deserve.
I’m beginning to hate the American public.
He would not have been my first choice. So.....let he who is without sin cast the first stone?
Its none of my business because I’m in GA and we have Chambliss in the Senate but you would think that the GOP of SC could find an acceptable congressional candidate that is not a disgrace to himself, his family and the state of SC. I guess not.
This is in the same state that gives us Grahmnesty.
I believe Sanford was able to make it to the runoff on name recognition alone in a field of 16 candidates. We’ll see how stupid we are in SC if Sanford wins the runoff. I’m not holding my breath considering we keep send Graham back to DC.
RE: This is in the same state that gives us Grahmnesty.
But then this is also the state that gave us the great Jim DeMint.
And Tim Scott
I think Sanford will lose the runoff, and handily. He has 100% name recognition. People opposed to Sanford will unite, particularly with the decision of the third place candidate to concede.
I voted for Mr. Bostic yesterday morning. The line coming from the local media, when they even mention Bostic, is that “he came out of no where.” I believe he will beat Sanford in a run off.
It’s not too surprising that long-term backers of Lindsey Graham would vote to return Sanford to Congress. Many may not even know of all the things Sanford did. They certainly are fully informed about their Lindsey too.
To everybody here, I just want to give a shout out that I know Curtis Bostic personally. About 20 years ago he was my next door neighbor for a couple of years before he left for law school. I can tell you he is definitely the kind of man you want in Congress. He is a man who loves God, his country and family. While he and Mark Sanford may have similar views on fiscal matters, he does outshine Mark Sanford in the character department. He is happily married and has been for 25 years and is the father of five children. I was at his campaign headquarters Tuesday night, and when is was apparent he was going to make the runoff against Sanford, that place exploded. It was electric, and it sounded like he won the general election. While the road will be difficult in the next two weeks, I believe he has a good chance at upsetting Mark Sanford. Please get the word out and help this good man win the runoff on April 2, and then the general election May 9. If you know someone who lives in the 1st Congressional District, spread the word that if character does count, then Curtis Bostic has it and tell them to donate to his campaign. Check his website out at http://stopspending.com and if you are on facebook, check out his facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/stopspending and like it. Thanks again and spread the good word on a good man in Curtis Bostic.
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