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Crowded S.C. Primary Poses Challenge for Graham
RCP ^ | 8-3-2013 | Scott Conroy

Posted on 08/03/2013 6:13:16 PM PDT by ClaytonP

Newcomer Nancy Mace and libertarian-leaning state Sen. Lee Bright are set to become the second and third GOP candidates to announce their intentions to run against the second-term senator, and political watchers in the Palmetto State believe the field may expand even further in the coming weeks.

At first glance, when gaming out Graham’s chances of surviving a multi-candidate primary and going on to win re-election, the logic seems simple: the more competitors, the merrier.

For a lawmaker who has long raised the ire of some rank-and-file conservatives with his deal-brokering and occasional breeches from Republican orthodoxy, there is a benefit to splitting the Tea Party vote into as many parts as possible.

But this line of reasoning has a potential flaw: South Carolina electoral law stipulates that a candidate must win at least 50 percent of the primary vote to avoid a runoff, and Graham’s chances of reaching that threshold could become even more difficult with additional names on the ballot.

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; Politics/Elections; US: South Carolina
KEYWORDS: 2014; alreadyposted; graham; howmanymoretimes; lindseygraham; nancymace; poofter; randsconcerntrolls; rinohunting; rinokeywordcowards; searchisyourfriend; southcarolina
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To: GeronL

That’s a good question. Its worth trying.


21 posted on 08/03/2013 7:53:48 PM PDT by Maelstorm (If all are treated as suspects it will not be long before we all are treated as prisoners.)
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas

It’s particularly good because some of our candidates have been seriously defective, like Akin in MO. We need to weed such detectives out to get the strongest possible people. The most vital thing to remember is female reproductive physiology and fundamentalist Christian theology DO NOT MIX.


22 posted on 08/03/2013 8:02:38 PM PDT by libstripper (A)
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To: gorush

Absolutely. They must unite behind one candidate in the primary because SC has an open primary.


23 posted on 08/03/2013 8:03:46 PM PDT by stilloftyhenight (Proud bitter clinging wacko bird chirper.)
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To: ClaytonP

My very unscientific canvassing of Republicans in Newberry County SC tells me that Senator Amnesty will not be missed.


24 posted on 08/03/2013 8:26:22 PM PDT by Bill W was a conservative (Profile, detain, interrogate, deport.)
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To: stilloftyhenight
Absolutely. They must unite behind one candidate in the primary because SC has an open primary.

some_text

25 posted on 08/03/2013 9:55:51 PM PDT by ClaytonP
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To: ClaytonP

"To answer the press pool's important questions, no, Senator McCain does NOT mind if I prance about in my fluffy pink kitten heels. No he doesn't mind that they don't match match my frilly mauve undies. I wear bras that unsnap in both the front and back...and Johnny prefers my fiery redhead wig over the cheap bleached blond look. And frankly, I refuse to remind him of his wife."

26 posted on 08/03/2013 10:14:13 PM PDT by USS Johnston (Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be bought at the price of chains & slavery? - Patrick Henry)
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To: Maelstorm

That would be mighty interesting, wouldn’t it? I can’t imagine a principled argument against that, but I’m sure there would be lots of phony ones.


27 posted on 08/03/2013 11:37:52 PM PDT by cdcdawg (Be seeing you...)
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To: rocketmag

To just about any Republican other than McCain.


28 posted on 08/04/2013 12:41:23 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (Kill the bill... Begin enforcing our current laws, signed by President Ronald Reagan.)
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To: ClaytonP
Here's the money line:

But this line of reasoning has a potential flaw: South Carolina electoral law stipulates that a candidate must win at least 50 percent of the primary vote to avoid a runoff, and Graham’s chances of reaching that threshold could become even more difficult with additional names on the ballot.

I am liking this.

29 posted on 08/04/2013 12:44:41 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard

It really is S.C. conservatives’ chance of voting for the best conservative candidate in the primary and then against Graham in the primary run-off.

We hope it will not be necessary in the General Election to see if many S.C. conservatives will vote for the Democrat nominee, who will be wild and woolly — like Alvin Greene.


30 posted on 08/04/2013 8:34:46 AM PDT by Resettozero
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas

Let’ see now...

Graham gets all the RINOs and
gets all the Democrat “cross-over” votes in the “open” Primary.

Conservatives divide their votes and are conquered.

Lindsay wins!

It’s not like we haven’t seen this dirty trick played before...


31 posted on 08/04/2013 11:43:53 AM PDT by pfony1
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To: ClaytonP

Nancy Mace was on Beck radio this morning (8/6/13).

This is a VERY basic summary of what he asked and what she answered.

I typed as fast as I could so don’t think that these are direct quotes, just the gist of what she answered.

Some is decent.

Much is bad because what I heard is a an unprepared, unknown candidate with very little campaign experience and no campaign chest running for one of the highest offices in our nation against an experienced and really mean little man who absolutely has to go.

I’m still not jumping on this bandwagon. I wish her all of the luck in the world. I really do.


Glenn beck asked her what motivates her:

He asked her twice because she had no prepared answer and no passion. She gave talking points.


Glenn Beck asked her why we should trust her:

She answered with platitudes about a “new” south carolina and inferred “change”. He asked her again because her first answer was a non-answer and she basically said that we should trust her because we should. That trust is a problem in Government and she would like to change that. Again, a non-answer. She didn’t seem evasive; she seemed unprepared. She did say - literally: “You should not trust me, you should trust me.” A literal quote.


He asked her “how is your soul”:

She chuckled and then realized he was asking her a serious question. She answered with a policy answer and talking points. He asked her again: She said that she is self-reliant and strong in her convictions. A non-answer. Again: She didn’t seem evasive; she seemed unprepared.


He asked, what are her principles:

“Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” She said that she learned so much from Citadel. Again: She didn’t seem evasive; she seemed unprepared.


Immigration, Amnesty:

Comprehensive immigration is a no-go “in one Bill.” The people don’t trust the Government to do it. She did not say literally that she is against a Bill, but it was definitely inferred by what she did say.


Money for her campaign: SC has an open primary and Graham has a lot of money; how will you combat that:

Build a grass-roots network around the state. Something people can believe in. It’s a run-off state; strategy is to force a run-off.

(Personal note on the above: Nancy, trying to run 2 consecutive campaigns is not a winning strategy. It’s a running defeat. Campaign to win. Pray for no run-off. It takes a lot of money to win a run-off. Money you don’t have. Again: an inexperienced candidate.)


Graham is among a group that are cut-throat and ruthless. A destroyer, are you prepared:

I am. It’s what motivates me.


What did you learn from your mother:

A school teacher who worked hard. The value of hard work. From both of my parents.


Term limits:

I am absolutely for them. (I believe her)


Our Biggest problem:

Trust in the government. They haven’t earned any trust. It’s dangerous for our nation.


ObamaCare: Would you stand with the 12 who are working to defund ObamaCare:

Government is “mindless and soulless” (direct quote; very good quote). Repeal is the only path.


Closing of the embassies (AQI):

Not privy to the intel, but our foreign policy is in bad shape. Weakness has emboldened our enemies. Can’t prevent 100% of threats. You cannot forfeit liberty. We are a nation of laws. Against email scanning, &c.


*After the interview Beck and the other 2 on the air were completely unimpressed and said so. No passion, no experience, no money, no idea what she is getting into. Not good.


Personal SUMMARY: She needs to do A LOT more prep work if she wants one of the most serious jobs in the world. She is giving platitudes when honest, direct, well-thought out answers are needed. I got the feeling that she hasn’t thought very hard outside of, “I wanna give some liberty back to us.” Great. But how, why, when, and through what avenue? She needs money. Lots. Her answer on getting it was a pipe dream about the community rallying around her in what could become a crowded primary fight.

Addendum: Nancy should run for a House seat first. She has no idea why she is running for Senate.


Apologies if I have offended anyone with my personal comments, but this is serious. Very serious. And no time for bandwagons around what could be weak candidates in a State packed to the brim with potentially good candidates.


32 posted on 08/06/2013 7:57:07 AM PDT by Noamie
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