State party chief wants to avoid vetting Hollings replacements (South Carolina)

The State ^ | 6/25/03

[LdSentinal]

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina's Democratic Party chief faces questions from his own party about whether U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings will run again and who will replace him if he doesn't.

At a party executive meeting Tuesday night, state party chairman Joe Erwin, said he's still not sure what Hollings will do. But he was relieved earlier this month when the 81-year-old told him to seek candidates to replace him as he decides whether to seek a seventh term.

"The recruitment process is under way," Erwin said.

But he won't say who's being recruited or who has talked about running because he wants to avoid a repeat of the Democratic Party's last recruitment effort.

"Some names you'd know, some names you wouldn't know, perhaps. What I'm not willing to do is I'm not willing to share those names with the media right now," Erwin said.

Erwin says he won't vet candidates the way they were three years ago. Candidates came and went before former judge and then-College of Charleston President Alex Sanders emerged willing to spend the time and money to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond.

"By the time Alex's name came out ... eight names had been floated," Erwin said. "I think it hurt him out of the gate getting started." Sanders came off looking like "our ninth choice," he said.

Erwin wants more than one viable contender. "I kind of hope it's more than one. I think if we're going to be competitive as a party again, we need to understand that primaries and competing for the right to be in a general election makes our candidates stronger."

[RippleFire]

I thought a wingnut named Harpootlian (sp?) was the SC Democrat Party Chairman? Did they finally get rid of him?

[fieldmarshaldj]

SC Senate race *ping*

[fieldmarshaldj]

Harpootlian retired.

[ken5050]

The article misses the key point in Holling's comments....even though he might well face a tough race, ole Fritz would run in a second if he thought the Dems had any chance in hell of retaking the Senate, because then he'd get his committee chair back...which he craves...When he does announce he's retiring..it's a public admission that the Dems have no chance to retake the Senate, because the seat then goes GOP guaranteed...so the Dem Senate fundraising committee can;t get any money, or recruit candidates in other races..

[rrrod]

good point...but it seems ol fritz seems to be getting goofier..heard him speak lately?

[ken5050]

He's always reminded me of the FogHorn caricature...but he's retiring, and the Dems are toast..Daschle will quit, and the GOP could win thwe whole shebang...

[rrrod]

am i having a great day or what?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ken5050]

Yup....actually, I understand the need and reason to downplay the potential we have for a Senate landslide, but heck, in some ways it's easier to motivate the troops when you have the enemy on the run..they tend to work harder....the GOP will lose the Illinois seat, but hold every other one...I'm not worried about Alaska, despite what they're saying...Lisa M will be OK....Daschle quits...Hollings retires...Graham also, and Reid loses...Edwards will, IMHO, decide NOt to run for re-election...but instead go for the WH..he's really running for the VP slot.....and he'd be OK on most every Dems' ticket...the GA open seat is pretty good for the GOP, ole Saxby will be a powerful force in that state.. ..Big surprise is that Breaux will retire, but the GOP may not get the seat..if he quits, Dona Brazile will run, and she could take it....and there are a couple of other Dem seats that are in play....Boxer, for one...so, here's the bottom line...worst case...GOP gains 4..best case, picks up 7, and then we get Nelson of Nebrasks to cross the aisle..

[ken5050]

FYI..see my #9 this thread....your comments always appreciated.....BTW..did you see my vanity a few days ago about Hillary?..I'll ping you just in case...regards..

[Pubbie]

"Daschle quits"

Are you sure? Why would he be fundraising if weren't going to run?

Do you know something I don't?

Best Regards

Pubbie

:)

[Pubbie]

"Big surprise is that Breaux will retire, but the GOP may not get the seat.."

PS: What are the chances of Breaux retiring?

Do you think Ben Nelson will switch if we kick but in '04

[MainstreamConservative]

As of now I rate the SC senate race as a slight lean towards the republicans. DeMint will be a good and well funded candidate. The Bush landslide in SC will help push him over the top.

[ken5050]

TGIF..just catching up......look, Daschle HAS to fundraise..if he doesn't. it's a sign that he's quitting...he, like Holings, has to wait as long as possible..if they throw in the towel, it's an admission that the Dems can't win..and that will cut their Senate fundraising to zero...and they won't be able to recruit ANY good candidates for the open seats..ask yourself, why would any dem want to spend a lot of time and money to spend the next six years in the minority....it doesn't compute....I do think that Nelson would cross the aisle if they gave him good committee choices and let him keep his seniority...it's worked before to the GOP advantage..look how important Tauzin has become in the House..