Have you seen how South Carolina has done politically? Dawson has been party chairman throughout the Sanford years, iow since 2002. He's not exactly an old fart, either: 52. Party rebirth is going to have to come up from the state level.
Katon is extremely popular with the party’s base. His successful efforts to turnaround the SCGOP’s debt left behind by the poor management of Henry McMaster along with his recent well publicized policy positions has turned him into a favorite among the party faithful. Dawson would not have to give up his chairmanship if he ran against Graham, which would allow him to garner the necessary level of earned media most fringe candidates would struggle to get.
http://shotpolitics.com/exclusive-draft-katon-movement-has-started.htm
I admit my original post was a kneejerk reaction. I’ve never heard of Dawson. No nothing about him.