Poll: Edwards surges into second place in S.C.

A new S.C. presidential poll released Thursday shows former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina is now in second place among Democrats, slightly ahead of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who polled third.

At the top for the Democrats is U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York. On the Republican side, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is leading.

The American Research Group poll found Giuliani expanding his lead over likely candidate Fred Thompson, the former U.S. senator from Tennessee who is expected to get in the race next week.

In July, ARG found Giuliani with a 1-point lead, 28-27, over Thompson. And while the August poll shows Giuliani having dropped to 26 percent, Thompson fell more, all the way to 21 percent.

U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona was third, having improved from 10 percent in July to 12 percent in August. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney continues to struggle in South Carolina and is now tied for fourth with former Arkansas
Gov. Mike Huckabee at 9 percent.

On the Democratic side, the poll found Clinton increasing her share of likely voters from 29 percent in July to 32 percent in August.

Second to Clinton is Edwards, who now has 24 percent, compared to 21 percent for Obama. In July, it was Obama who was leading among Democrats with 33 percent and Edwards polled third at 18 percent.

U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich were all tied for fourth with 2 percent.
The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points for both the Republican and Democratic polls.

Romney bus tour set to begin

The Mitt Mobile will make its  South Carolina debut this week as Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney travels to the Palmetto State.

Between Thursday and Friday, the former Massachusetts govenor will campaign in six cities in the state, according to a campaign news release.

On Thursday, Romney will be in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Columbia.

On Friday, Romney will be in Aiken, Newberry and Greenville.

Clinton collects more endorsements from women

Five Grand Strand women leaders announced today their support for U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton's bid to be the next president, praising Clinton’s leadership and experience as the best choice for South Carolina and the Grand Strand.

 

“My support of Hilary Clinton is based upon her experience, ability and vision.  Senator Clinton's dedication to women, children, and families is unparalleled and her commitment to restore America's standing in foreign policy and improve upon domestic programs is exactly what our country needs at this time,” said Sarah McCollum, president of the Horry County Democratic Women’s Club, in a campaign news release.

 

Women from the Grand Strand region joining the Clinton campaign today include McCollum, former Horry County Democratic Party Chair and two-term former City Council member Mary Jeffcoat, Grand Strand area hotel and hospitality entrepreneur Dorothy Anderson,

Grand Strand business leader and President of Wordsmith Incorporated Public Strategies Mary Eaddy and social activist Mary Riley.

 

Giuliani campaign seats first responder committee

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani unveiled a team of firefighters, police, paramedics and other first responders intended to breathe life into the former New York City mayor's campaign.

Giuliani made the announcement at a firehouse in Pelham, South Carolina and the team includes a number of Palmetto State emergency personnel.

Jim Bowie, president of the South Carolina Firefighter's Association, will serve as the national firefighter chairman, while Croft fire chief Lewis Hayes has also signed on. Irmo fire chief Mike Sonefeld has said he will also help support Giuliani's campaign, which has signed up nearly 200 South Carolina firefighters.

Polls have placed Giuliani at the front of Republican candidates in South Carolina, and his support is especially strong among firefighters and emergency workers.

“Mayor Giuliani has a proven record of supporting firefighters,” said Bowie in a press release. "As Mayor, he implemented policies that improved firefighters’ safety and preparedness. Firefighters across the nation are supporting Mayor Giuliani because they admire his leadership and support his vision for our country."

Frist to visit S.C to raise awareness about global poverty

Former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., will visit South Carolina on Thursday in his role as national co-chair of the ONE Vote ‘08 campaign.

Frist, the former Senate majority leader, will meet ONE supporters and urge others to join the group’s fight against global poverty and disease.

Frist and former Democratic Senate majority leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota are the national co-chairs of ONE Vote ‘08.

Frist will speak at the Lexington Rotary Club from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at Lexington Country Club, 1066 Barr Road in Lexington. He will also attend a luncheon at the Capital City Club from noon to 1 p.m. The club is at 1201 Main St. in Columbia on the 25th floor.

Romney to visit Columbia on Thursday

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will host an “Ask Mitt Anything” event Thursday in Columbia.
The former Massachusetts governor, who last week unveiled his health-care proposal, will be at Adluh Flour, 804½ Gervais St., at 1:30 p.m.

McCain team to open S.C. HQ

U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign will open its S.C. headquarters Thursday.
The Arizona Republican will not be there, but his team and supporters will open the office at 1600 Gervais St. in Columbia at 6:30 p.m.
A campaign announcement also said McCain will make a “major swing” through South Carolina in September.

Richardson to attend S.C. AFL-CIO event

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will bring his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination back to South Carolina next week.
Richardson will hold fund raising events in the state Sept. 4. On Sept. 5, he will participate in the S.C. AFL-CIO annual meeting in McCormick. Details have not yet been released.

Brownback to march in Chapin

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback will hold a luncheon Saturday in Summerville and march in the Chapin Labor Day Parade on Monday.
Brownback, a Republican presidential hopeful, will meet with voters in a “Dutch treat lunch and issues forum” Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kelly’s BBQ, 10475 U.S. 78 in Summerville. To attend, RSVP to bcarnes@brownback.com.
Monday, the U.S. senator from  Kansas will march in the Chapin parade, a staple of campaign seasons, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and then hold an event at the Laurie Grooms Allstate Insurance Agency, 220 Columbia Ave. in Chapin. The post-parade event lasts until noon. To attend, RSVP to pchisum@brownback.com.

Kathleen Turner to stump for Obama in S.C.

Academy Award-nominated actress Kathleen Turner will represent Barack Obama’s campaign at the Spartanburg Democratic Party rally Thurs, Aug. 30 at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, according to a campaign news release.  

Turner is is best known for roles in movies such as “Romancing the Stone,” “The War of the Roses,” and “Peggy Sue Got Married,” for which she received an Oscar nomination.

Turner, according to the release, "is the daughter of an ambassador and has been active on the national political scene for years as a high-profile advocate for women’s health issues and a board member of Citymeals on Wheels, which hand-delivers meals to homebound elderly New Yorkers."

Also appearing at the rally is former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

Woodward in town to celebrate suffrage, Obama

Actress Alfre Woodard, an Emmy winner and Oscar nominee, will headline a Women for Obama event Saturday in Columbia that will highlight the pivotal role women will play in this election, according to a campaign release.

Woodard will address a gathering of Obama supporters at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center commemorating the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote.

The 3 p.m. event is free and the public is invited.

Woodard most recently starred in ABC’s “Desperate Housewives.” She won Emmys for her work in “The Practice” and “Miss Evers’ Boys,” among other roles, and was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the 1983 movie “Cross Creek.”

 

Edwards in Spartanburg next week

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards returns to South Carolina next week when he headlines the Spartanburg County Democratic Party’s annual rally.
Edwards, the S.C. native who won the state’s 2004 Democratic presidential primary, will speak at the rally, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, 385 N. Church St.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and $5 for children under 10. The cost includes a barbecue dinner, raffle and silent auction.
For more information, go to  www.spartanburgdemocratsonline.com.

S.C. seniors engaged in campaigns, withholding judgment

S.C. seniors are paying attention to the candidates in the 2008 presidential race, a new survey shows, but most remain uncertain about for whom they will vote.

Report | AARP S.C. issues poll

An issues oriented survey conducted between July 24 and August 15 contacted 500 Democratic and 500 Republican members of the American Association of Retired Persons who say they may vote in their respective party primaries next year.

Five months before ballots are cast in both presidential primaries in January 2008, nearly 80 percent of AARP members surveyed said they are paying at least somewhat close attention to candidate coverage in the races.

Thirty-five percent of Democrats said they are paying very close attention to coverage.

But more than 40 percent of the Democrats and Republicans sampled in the 1,000-person survey said they are somewhat likely to change their minds about who they will vote for between now and the election.

Uncertainty was greatest among Republicans, where 39 percent said they are very likely to change their preferences before the Jan. 19 Republican primary.

Twenty-nine percent of Democrats said they were likely to switch candidates before their primary election, Jan. 29, as they learn more about the candidates positions on issues.

In the survey, which has a 4.4 percent margin of error, AARP members of both parties listed Iraq as the No. 1 issue facing the
country.

However, the parties differed widely on the question of whether the country is headed in the right direction. Democrats said the country is on the wrong track to a tune of about 83 percent.

Republicans were more confused. Forty-six percent of them said the country is heading in the right direction, while 38 percent said it is not.

Among Democrats, health care was the second most important issue cited, while, among Republicans, health care, immigration, and terrorism all rated second as the most important problem the country faces.

AARP membership includes people 50 years and older.

Roughly 22 percent of the survey’s respondents were younger than 60, while 57 percent said they were between 65 and 75 years old.

Health care and financial security loomed large as important voting issues to AARP members in both political parties in the survey. Democrats said by 83 percent health care is very important in the 2008 election, while 53 percent of Republicans said health care will be very important when they go to the polls.

Nine in 10 of those surveyed from both parties listed financial security as an important issue in the ’08 presidential race. Only a quarter of respondents listed matters such as Social Security, pension protection, and incentives to save and invest as somewhat important in the survey, while nearly three quarters of people in each party listed those issues as very important.

Respondents were unable to strongly identify a candidate in either party who they felt could best address their concerns about either health care or financial security.

Graham to speak to Richland Co. GOP

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham will speak Monday at the August meeting of the Richland County Republican Party executive committee.
Graham, a Seneca Republican, will give an address at 6 p.m. at the community room of the Suggs & Kelly building, 500 Taylor St., at the corner of Huger and Taylor streets in Columbia.
Graham has been widely criticized for his support of a controversial immigration reform bill that failed in the Senate. He was censured Aug. 6 by the Greenville County executive committee and could face a similar fate tonight when the Spartanburg County executive committee meets.
The Columbia meeting is open to the public.

Ann Romney visits Spartanburg

Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, will speak to the Spartanburg County Republican Party executive committee tonight at 7.
Romney will speak at a meeting and ice cream social at Marble Slab Creamery, 150 E. Blackstock Road, in Spartanburg.
Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is leading most polls in Iowa and New Hampshire. However, he is a dis-tant third or fourth in most S.C. polls.

Dawson expected to announce Myrtle Beach debate

S.C. Republican Party chairman Katon Dawson will announce today that the GOP will host a presidential debate Jan. 10 in Myrtle Beach, according to a copy of an e-mail obtained by The State.
Dawson will make the announcement at 11 a.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
The e-mail from the Horry County Republican Party confirms a date given to The State by sources at two of the presidential campaigns.

Clinton also plans visit to Corridor of Shame

U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton will visit South Carolina’s so-called Corridor of Shame during her campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, joining two other top rivals in raising awareness of the plight of the rural communities.
Clinton spokeswoman Zac Wright could not give specifics of the New York Democrats’ visit to the region, which generally follows the I-95 corridor through the state. But Wright said Clinton will be there to tout her plan “to make sure that every child in South Carolina and the country gets a world-class education that prepares him or her for the global economy, and her plan to make a college education, and the prosperity and opportunity that comes with it, attainable for every South Carolinian.”
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois will visit part of the region Thursday. Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina plans to tour the Corridor of Shame in October.
Many of the school districts along the corridor are involved in a lawsuit against the state over school funding. A 1999 state Supreme Court ruling said the state must provide students a “minimally adequate education.” The districts argue the state has fallen well short of that “constitutional floor.”
Circuit Court Judge Thomas W. Cooper, who has retired, recently confirmed his December 2005 ruling, saying the state is meeting its requirement.
South Carolina has 132,000 students in 36 mostly rural districts with a history of academic and financial difficulties.

Clinton, Thompson ahead in new S.C. poll

A new poll released Wednesday shows U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York leading the race for the S.C. Democratic presidential primary. Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, who has yet to formally announce he’s running, was leading among S.C. Republicans.
Results of the poll of likely Democratic voters from Rasmussen Reports were:

• Clinton — 38 percent
• U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois — 30 percent
• Former North Carolina U.S. Sen. John Edwards — 13 percent
• U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware — 3 percent
• New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson — 2 percent.

Among likely Republican voters, the poll found:

• Thompson — 23 percent
• New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani — 21 percent
• U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona —14 percent
• Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney — 10 percent
• Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee — 6 percent

Information on the sample size, the dates the polls were taken and the margins of error were not released.

Soap star visits S.C. to promote Clinton

Actress Victoria Rowell, known best for her starring role on the daytime soap "The Young and the Restless," will travel across South Carolina this weekend campaigning for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

Rowell, according to a campaign news release, will be "sharing her own life journey from foster child to star of stage and screen and how her experiences have led her to support Hillary Clinton for President."

“After spending the first 18 years of my life in foster care, I believe that every child should have the opportunity to live the American Dream and I believe Hillary Clinton is the right choice for President because she can go to work on her first day in office to make that opportunity a reality.  Her record proves she’s ready,” Rowell said.  “I look forward to being in Spartanburg, Anderson, Aiken and Columbia this weekend to help spread Hillary’s positive message and the energy of her campaign.”

Rowell’s schedule in South Carolina this weekend includes: 

10:00 a.m.
Victoria Rowell to address Spartanburg County Hillary for President Organizational Meeting
CC Woodson Park, 855 South Liberty St., Spartanburg, S.C. 29306

2:00 p.m.
Rowell to address Anderson County Hillary for President Organizational Meeting
Anderson County Arts Center, 405 N Main St, Anderson, SC 29621

6:30 p.m.
Rowell to address Aiken Meet and Greet
Houndslake Country Club , 901 Houndslake Drive, Aiken, SC  29803

Sunday, July 26, 2007
Columbia, SC

11:00 a.m.
Rowell to attend New Ebenezer Baptist Women Day Celebration
New Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1236 Gregg Street, Columbia, SC 29201

2:00 p.m.
Rowell to address Women’s Equality Day Forum
Seibels House & Garden, 1601 Richland St, Columbia, SC 29201

5:00
Rowell to address Hillary for President Young Professionals Meet and Greet
HUSH, 1004 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201

S.C. could face water shortages, officials warned

Top state officials warned the state could be facing shortages of both water and funds beginning later this year.

At Gov. Mark Sanford’s cabinet meeting Tuesday, a representative from the Department of Natural Resources said that some parts of the state, such as the coast, could be facing drought-related water restrictions within a couple of months.

In addition, the head of South Carolina’s tax collection agency,
Ray Stevens, said national trends show state revenue growth has begun to slow. Especially important to South Carolina, Stevens said, is the slowdown in sales tax collections.

Final figures are not yet available, Stevens said, but June sales tax collections could show negative growth.

Obama to visit "Corridor of Shame"

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama will tour a Dillon County school Thursday as the Democratic presidential contender visits the state.

Obama will speak with teachers and tour J.V. Martin Junior High School in Dillon. The school, built in 1896, is part of the so-called “Corridor of Shame,” a collection of poor, rural S.C. school systems. The tour begins at 1:30 p.m. but, because school is in session, is not open to the public.

After the Dillon stop, Obama will hold a rally at 6 p.m. Thursday at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. The rally is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For tickets, go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/20070823conway?sourceeventcenter

Obama adds Dillon stop to S.C. visit

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama will tour a Dillon County school Thursday as the Democratic presidential contender visits the state. Obama will speak with teachers and tour J.V. Martin Junior High School in Dillon.

The school, built in 1896, is part of the so-called “Corridor of Shame,” a collection of poor, rural S.C. school systems. The tour begins at 1:30 p.m. but, because school is in session, is not open to the public.

After the Dillon stop, Obama will hold a rally at 6 p.m. Thursday at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. The rally is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. For tickets, go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/20070823conway?sourceeventcenter.

Campaign Trail | Upcoming stops by presidential candidates

Check here for updates on when and where presidential contenders will be in South Carolina. Updated as we receive notifications.

Today. U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Republican presidential hopeful, will attend four veterans appreciation events as part of his “No Surrender” tour. They are:

• 8:45 a.m. breakfast at the VFW Post 5877 in Aiken
• 11:45 a.m. lunch at American Legion Post 7 in Lexington
• 2:15 p.m. rally in Sumter at VFW Post 3034
• 6:30 p.m. rally at The Citadel in Charleston

Huckabee S.C. visit now 2 days

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has added a second day to his planned visit next week.

Huckabee brings his campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination back to South Carolina, with stops in Fort Mill and Greenville.

Huckabee will be making his first appearance in the state since finishing second in last weekend’s Iowa straw poll.

• On Tuesday, Huckabee will speak to supporters at 2 p.m. at The Palmetto Room, 22 N. Congress St., in York, and at 3 p.m. at Beef O’Brady’s, 940 Market St., Fort Mill.
• At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Huckabee will hold a pre-game reception before throwing out the first pitch at the Charlotte Knights minor league baseball game, Knights Stadium, 2280 Deerfield Drive in Fort Mill. The game starts at 7 p.m.
• On Wednesday, Huckabee will hold a breakfast reception at Tommy’s Ham House, 214 Rutherford Ave. in Greenville. At noon, he’ll hold a luncheon at The Beacon Drive-In, 255 John B. White Blvd., in Spartanburg.

Obama will visit S.C. next week

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama will return to South Carolina next week when he holds a rally at Coastal Carolina University.

The U.S. senator from Illinois will speak Thursday at the Kimbel Arena on the Conway campus. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. To receive a free ticket, sign up at www.barackobama.com or pick up a ticket at the following locations:

• Horry County Democratic Party, 900 4th Ave., Conway, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1008 Carver St., Myrtle Beach, Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, 1200 North Oak St., Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• African Imports Barbershop, 2605 4th Ave., Conway, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Obama campaign opens Pee Dee headquarters

 U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign will celebrate the opening of its Pee Dee headquarters in Florence on Saturday.

Obama, an Illinois Democrat, is trailing U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton in most S.C. polls.

The event will feature food and entertainment, and Obama campaign state political director Anton Gunn will be on hand.

 

This is the fourth regional office opened by the Obama campaign in

South Carolina

, joining offices in the Lowcountry, the Upstate and

Columbia

. 

Giuliani ads target immigration, crime, welfare

Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani on Thursday launched his first radio ads in South Carolina.

The former mayor of New York City released two spots, one of which, entitled “Out of Control,” focuses on his fight against crime and welfare during his tenure as mayor.

The second spot, called “Fence,” highlights Giuliani’s plan to end illegal immigration and to identify foreign nationals living in the United States.

Both ads are 60 seconds and are running statewide. The campaign would not give details of which stations the ads are running on or how much they paid for the airtime.

Clinton, Thompson lead in new poll

U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., top a new poll of S.C. voters in advance of the state’s 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential primaries.
The poll, from Public Policy Polling, shows Clinton with 36 percent of Democrats’ support, followed closely by U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois with 33 percent. Given the poll’s margin of error of 4.7 percentage points, the difference between the two is not significant.
Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina was a distant third at 12 percent. U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson were both at 3 percent. No other candidate had more than 1 percent in the poll, released Wednesday.
On the Republican side, Thompson, not yet an official candidate, had the support of 22 percent of S.C. GOP voters, followed by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani at 18 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was third with 17 percent and U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona was fourth with 11 percent.
The Republican results have a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points.
Here are the full results of both polls.
REPUBLICANS
Thompson — 22 percent
Giuliani — 18 percent
Romney — 17 percent
McCain —  11 percent
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee — 7 percent
U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas — 3 percent
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas — 2 percent
U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter of California — 1 percent
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado — 1 percent
Undecided— 18 percent
DEMOCRATS
Clinton — 36 percent
Obama —  33 percent
Edwards — 12 percent
Biden — 3 percent
Richardson — 3 percent
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio — 1 percent
U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut — 0 percent
Former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska — 0 percent
Undecided —12 percent

Romney to visit S.C.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who is running for the Republican nomination for president, will be in S.C. Thursday talking to the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce.

Romney has consistently polled about third or fourth in S.C., behind U.S. Sen. John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and, in some polls, undeclared former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson.

Romney will speak to the Chamber at 9 a.m. and take questions from the media afterward.

Sanford reacts to Afghanistan trip

After his weekend trip to Afghanistan, Gov. Mark Sanford is  today asking the state to keep the men in women serving in military there in their thoughts and prayers.

Sanford toured Afghanistan with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Reps. Henry Brown and Bob Inglis.  During the trip, the governor and the congressional leaders toured military bases, met with high-level Afghan and U.S. officials, and visited with members of the S.C National Guard 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade.

South Carolina has more than 1,800 National Guardsmen serving in Afghanistan.

"In visiting with our men and women overseas, the first thing that becomes apparent is the profound sense of dedication our troops have toward completing their mission and securing a greater degree of freedom for people in that part of the world," Sanford said in a news release. "Seeing the sacrifices they're making first-hand really instills a great sense of admiration for what they're doing, and to that end, I'd ask that everyone in our state keep the cards, e-mails, and other reminders of home coming to the hundreds of South Carolinians serving active duty. As well, I'd ask that everyone join Jenny, the boys and me in keeping them in our thoughts and prayers."

Huckabee to visit S.C. next week

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee will return to South Carolina next week for a fund-raiser at a Charlotte Knights baseball game in Fort Mill.

Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, is riding high after a strong second-place showing in this past weekend’s Iowa Straw Poll and is hoping to use that as a way to break into the top tier of candidates.

Huckabee’s event will be Tuesday, Aug. 21. Tickets, which include admission to the game and a reception, cost $50. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m.

For more information or tickets contact Joe St. John at 803-371-0083 or fortmill-gop@hotmail.com.

Giuliani in S.C. to talk immigration

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in South Carolina today to roll out his national immigration policy.

Read political columnist Lee Bandy's take on Giuliani here

Giuliani spoke this morning in Aiken and will hold a town hall this afternoon at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

In an interview with The State between events, Giuliani, who is leading South Carolina polls for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, said he has a plan he said could end illegal immigration.

Giuliani supports construction of a fence along the U.S.-Mexican border, a major increase in the number of law enforcement patrolling the border, plus a new effort aimed at identifying foreign nationals currently in the United States.

Each would be required to obtain a federal identification card that is “tamper proof,” he said, and new immigrants would be required to learn to speak and write English — and would have to prove it.

This last aspect is part of the “Americanization” of immigrants, Giuliani said.

McCain talks of victory, GOP spending and Imus

U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Republican presidential hopeful from Arizona, said today his campaign is doing well despite its recent troubles and he hopes to win S.C. and New Hampshire to springboard to the nomination.

McCain, in a wide-ranging discussion with The State’s editorial board, also touched on these topics:

Early primary dates; McCain said he dislikes the existing schedule that could determine the nominees by February; said he prefers a slower roll-out.
Fiscal responsibility; McCain said the lack of restraint is the reason Republicans no longer control Congress. He noted Republicans were in charge during massive expansions of government programs, including the controversial prescription drug program for seniors.
Don Imus; McCain said because he believes in redemption the fired radio host should be given a second chance. Imus was fired recently after making racially insensitive remarks about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team.

Sanford nominates Walldorf for Budget board

Gov. Mark Sanford said today he will nominate Chad Walldorf, his former deputy chief of staff, to lead the State Budget and Control Board.

Walldorf, 39, most recently chaired the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR). That panel authored a study of state government that claims S.C. could save more than $500 million by changing the way the Budget and Control Board does business.

The GEAR report also "highlighted the need to address the $20 billion in unfunded retirement and retiree health-care liabilities facing the state," according to a Sanford news release.

Sanford said in the news release Waldorf's recent work examining the Budget and Control Board's operations make him the ideal candidate for the job.

"What has again been highlighted in the GEAR report is that the antiquated and chronically unaccountable structure of the Budget and Control Board is costing taxpayers in very real terms,"  Sanford said in the news release. "Based upon the work he did with the GEAR report, I don't think there's anyone better qualified than Chad to take the reins of this agency and work toward addressing these much-needed reforms.

Walldorf co-founded Sticky Fingers Restaurants in 1992, which over the past 15 years has grown from one location to 19 and employs over 1,100.

Walldorf would succeed Henry White, another Sanford favorite and a former chief of staff, who resigned two weeks ago, hours prior to the General Assembly's election of a new Treasurer. The treasurer is one of five voting members of the Budget and Control Board, which hires the executive director of the agency.

Brownback in S.C. this week

Fresh off his third-place finish in this past weekend’s Iowa straw poll, Republican presidential hopeful Sam Brownback will visit South Carolina this week.
Brownback, a U.S. senator from Kansas, will make several stops over three days.
On Tuesday, he will speak at Thursdays Too restaurant in Rock Hill at 147 Herlong Ave. To attend, RSVP to bcarnes@brownback.com.
Later that evening Brownback will hold a fund-raiser reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Capital City Club in Columbia. The minimum contribution to attend is $50. RSVP to (803) 237-5606 or DavidHBarron@gmail.com.
Wednesday morning, Brownback will meet and speak with supporters from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. at the Sunset Grill & Restaurant, 1213 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia. RSVP to pchisum@brownback.com.
Later Wednesday, Brownback visits Sticky Fingers Restaurant in Mount Pleasant for a “Dutch treat lunch” and question-and-answer session. The event, at 341 Johnny Dodds Blvd., begins at 1 p.m. No reservation is required.
On Thursday, Brownback will be in Greenville for another breakfast meeting from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. at Tommy’s Country Ham House, 214 Rutherford St. No reservation is required.

Giuliani in S.C. on Tuesday

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will bring his presidential campaign back to South Carolina on Tuesday.
Giuliani, a Republican candidate for the White House, will hold events in Aiken and Columbia.
At 9:30 a.m., Giuliani will speak at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road, in Aiken.
At 2:30 p.m., Giuliani will hold a town hall meeting at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on Lincoln Street in the Vista. The program begins at 2:15 p.m.

Gov. Sanford, S.C. congressmen visit Afghanistan

 

Gov. Mark Sanford, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and

U.S.

Reps.  Henry Brown and Bob Inglis will travel to

Afghanistan

this weekend to meet with South Carolina National Guard troops as well as top Afghan and

U.S.

officials.

The visit was confirmed by Graham's office in a news release.

 

S.C. Republicans will vote Jan. 19

The 2008 South Carolina Republican presidential primary will be Jan. 19, S.C. GOP chairman Katon Dawson said Thursday at a news conference in New Hampshire.

Dawson’s statement confirmed what The State first reported Wednesday.

Dawson’s announcement is likely to have further implications on the 2008 nominating process.

New Hampshire Democrats and Republicans are currently scheduled to vote on Jan. 22, but Dawson’s announcement is almost certainly to force New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner to move earlier. New Hampshire state law says no other primary or caucus can be within seven days of New Hampshire’s. The law has an exception, however, for the Iowa caucus.

Iowa is scheduled to hold its caucuses on Jan. 14, but would likely move if New Hampshire does.
South Carolina’s Democrats are still scheduled to hold its primary Jan. 29.

GOP hopeful Brownback to visit S.C.

Republican presidential hopeful Sam Brownback will campaign in South Carolina next week.

Brownback, a U.S. senator from Kansas, will make a three day swing through the state Tuesday through Thursday. Details of the visit have not yet been announced.

Brownback, who is struggling to breakthrough in a crowded field, is hoping Saturday’s straw poll in Iowa will boost his chances in other key early voting states.

Obama touts faith in radio ads

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has unveiled a new radio ad on South Carolina’s airwaves.

The U.S. senator from Illinois’ new ad, a 60-spot called “Man of Hope,” highlights the candidate’s faith and its effect on his public life and campaign.

The release comes days before Obama’s campaign holds the second of what it bills as “faith forums,” which the campaign says allows people of faith to connect with the campaign.

The new ad will join an earlier spot on the state’s airwaves. Thirty-six gospel and R&B stations are playing both ads. Go to sc.barackobama.com/manofhope to hear the new ad.

Wilson to hold town hall on immigration

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., will hold a pair of Midlands town hall meetings next week on illegal immigration. Wilson, who represents much of the Midlands as part of the 2nd District, will hold the meetings from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Lexington Town Hall conference center, 111 Maiden Lane in Lexington; and from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the USC-Beaufort South Auditorium, 1 University Boulevard, in Bluffton.

Clyburn to lead Katrina delegation

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn D-S.C., announced late Tuesday that he will lead a bipartisan congressional delegation to the Gulf Coast next week to assess the impact of Congress’ work after Hurricane Katrina.

Clyburn, the House majority whip, will lead more than a dozen House members, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to the region in advance of the storm’s second anniversary.

“Last August, we came to the Gulf Coast region on the one-year anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to assess the recovery.” Clyburn said in a release. “We set to work meeting with local officials, touring the region and determining the needs around infrastructure, education, health care, public safety and housing. We made a commitment to do better to help the Gulf Cost.”

During the three-day trip, lawmakers will study the region’s needs in education, housing, health care and infrastructure. They will also hold a policy conference in Louisiana with local and state officials, tour the Lower Ninth Ward, which sustained some of the worst damage in the storm, and tour the New Orleans levee system.

Sources: Republicans will vote Jan. 19

S.C. Republican Party chairman Katon Dawson is expected to announce Thursday that the 2008 S.C. presidential primary will be Jan. 19, sources close to the party and campaigns told The State.

Dawson will be in Concord, N.H., on Thursday, where he will officially announce the date at a news conference, S.C. GOP executive director Hogan Gidley said.

Efforts to reach Dawson were unsuccessful Wednesday.
New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner and other Granite State officials will join Dawson at the 11 a.m. news conference from the New Hampshire State House.

Legislation adopted by the S.C. General Assembly this year requires the state to fund and operate the primaries. But Chris Whitmire, a spokesman for the State Election Commission, said that the agency has not been given a date for the GOP primary.
South Carolina Democrats will hold their primary Jan. 29.

Cindy Costa, a S.C. Republican national committee member, said she did know that Dawson was having a news conference to announce the date.

She said the state party’s executive committee was meeting on Saturday.

“I’m just kind of surprised,” Costa said, adding that Dawson is a “great chairman.”

Costa said the Republican National Committee had set a Sept. 4 deadline for state’s to set their primary or caucus dates.

South Carolina’s Republican primary was tentatively scheduled for Feb. 2, but Dawson had vowed to make the S.C. primary earlier after Florida set its primary for Jan. 29.

— AARON GOULD SHEININ

Dawson to announce '08 date in New Hampshire

S.C. Republican Party chairman Katon Dawson will announce the date of the state’s primary at a news conference Thursday in Concord, N.H., S.C. party spokesman Hogan Gidley said Wednesday.
The Union-Leader, a Nashua, N.H., newspaper, first reported details of the news conference in Wednesday’s paper.
Efforts to reach Dawson on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

McCain, Clinton to hold conference calls

Two presidential candidates have scheduled conference calls with S.C. reporters today.
U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will speak with Palmetto State press at 10:45 a.m. and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., will hold a conference call at 3:40 p.m.
Check back to S.C. Politics Today later for a report on the calls.
McCain’s campaign said the senator will speak about his recent call for tighter private property rights protections. In a speech to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Rotary Club on Monday, McCain railed against the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in the Kelo case that made it easier for government to seize private property to benefit developers.
In his speech, McCain said he would support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to secure private property rights and called on states to do the same. South Carolina adopted a constitutional amendment in 2006 that did just that.
Clinton’s campaign said the Democratic will discuss a “package of measures to rebuild and modernize our nation’s infra-structure.” She will lay out her plans in a speech at the Rochester Opera House in Rochester, N.H.

Graham, Chertoff tout system that IDs illegal workers

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham came to Columbia Tuesday with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to tout an electronic identification system that employers can use in hiring to help ferret out illegal immigrants.

Graham, R-S.C., said he will introduce a bill in October that would replace current Social Security cards with a biometric identification card over 10 years that will be harder for counterfeiters to duplicate.

Graham, who is under heavy fire from Republicans for his support of a failed Senate bill that would have provided illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, said the issue is “a national security problem,” and is central to the U.S. war on terror.

“That’s why I’m going to get back up on the horse,” Graham said. “As a U.S. citizen I feel I owe more to South Carolinians than to say ‘no.’”

Chertoff and Graham met with state and local legislators and U.S. attorney Reggie Lloyd, among others, to talk over state leaders’ reluctance to sign on to a national Real ID law, and to promote use of a screening technology designed to uncover discrepancies between names and Social Security numbers on job applications. Chertoff said he hopes to add photographs to the technology soon to bolster results. Graham said replacing paper Social Security cards is a longer term, and more expensive project, that could cost $8 billion to $10 billion.

Sanford: State must spend smarter, not tax more to fix roads

Gov. Mark Sanford issued a news release today to reiterate his position that South Carolina should not raise its gasoline tax to accelerate the repair of substandard roads and bridges.

The state, instead, needs to spend its road maintenance money smarter, according to the governor.

Some S.C. lawmakers have advocated raising the tax to address a backlog of repairs, including $2.9 billion to fix thousands of state bridges that need maintenance. About 100 state bridges need to be replaced, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Sanford said a state audit found S.C. wasted more than $60 million  that could have been used for infrastructure needs. He also said in his news release that South Carolina is already spending more than the southeastern and national average on transportation, and that DOT's budget grew 122.5 percent from 1995 to 2007, outpacing the 77 percent growth in other state spending over the same period. 

"When you look at the numbers, it's clear that our state could be doing more to make sure that our infrastructure dollars are going to where they're needed most, and that we could be doing a better job with the dollars already in the system," Gov. Sanford said.

"We don't think it makes sense to talk about raising taxes on hard-working South Carolinians until the issue of getting the most out of existing dollars is fully addressed."

Graham, Chertoff to show how employers can verify legal status

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff will be in Columbia on Tuesday to demonstrate a federal employee immigration status program.

Graham and Chertoff will show how the Employment Eligibility Verification program works. Mandatory use of the system is required under a recent Senate immigration bill. It is designed to help employers make sure employees are legally in the country.
According to Congressional Quarterly, the system is currently voluntary and is used by a fraction of the nation’s employers to verify immigration status of new employees. The immigration bill that recently failed in the Senate would have made the system mandatory.

The Employment Eligibility Verification System (EEVS), also known as Basic Pilot, is currently voluntary and is actively used by approximately 8,500 of the nation’s 5.9 million employers to verify a new employee’s work eligibility. It would have been made mandatory under the Senate immigration overhaul bill (S 1639) that failed in the Senate last month.

Chellis elected treasurer

Rep. Converse Chellis, R-Dorchester, has been elected by the General Assembly to be the state's new treasurer.

Chellis, 63, easily defeated Sen. Greg Ryberg, garnering nearly  four times the votes as the Aiken Republican. The vote was 122-34.

Chellis, who was seated in the House gallery with his family, rose from his seat and blew kisses to lawmakers who stood and applauded.

Chellis formally resigned his House seat. He will replace former Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, who resigned last month after he was indicted on federal cocaine charges.

Chellis will serve the rest of Ravenel's term, which expires in 2011. The next time voters will decide the treasurer will be the Nov. 2010 election.

Gov. Mark Sanford had endorsed Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott for the job and gave a secondary endorsement to Ryberg. Scott was not nominated. Sanford wanted a treasurer who could be an ally on the five-member State Budget and Control Board, which oversees much of the state's spending. 

Ryberg and Scott were potential allies.

Sanford issued the following statement after the vote: 

"To hold this election in just over a week after the Treasurer resigned makes a mockery of the electoral process and gives South Carolina the appearance of a banana republic," Sanford said. "The General Assembly owed it to the people who elected it to not rush into this decision, and instead to make this a more transparent and deliberative process. Unfortunately, they chose a path that guaranteed one of its own being installed as the next treasurer, in a process that puts the interests of Columbia powerbrokers ahead of the interests of average South Carolinians who've spoken loud and clear on the need for reform.

"We believe this was a decision that should have been contemplated further, and we think the legislature's vote today was a real dereliction of duty in that regard."

Bid to delay treasurer election rejected

Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, asked lawmakers to end its joint session to elect a new treasurer because the General Assembly needed more time to consider other candidates, he said.

Lawmakers rejected the bid in a roll-call vote.

Gov. Mark Sanford also asked the General Assembly to slow down the process.

"I'd like to reiterate one last time both what we've said publicly and privately to members -- that we believe that holding this election in just over a week's time is shortsighted, and that the General Assembly would be well-served by holding off and making its decision in a more deliberative fashion," Sanford said in a news release.

The two candidates nominated to replace Thomas Ravenel are both members of the General Assembly.

Rep. Converse Chellis, R-Dorchester, the prohibitive favorite, and Aiken Sen. Greg Ryberg, also a Republican.

Sen. Greg Ryberg nominated for treasurer post

Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, nominated Sen. Greg Ryberg for state treasurer.

Ryberg, Peeler told fellow lawmakers, knows more than anybody about he issues the treasurer will face, especially managing the state's retirement system.

Lawmakers are electing a state treasurer to replace Thomas Ravenel, who resigned last month amid federal cocaine charges.

Chellis nominated as candidate for treasurer

Rep. Harry Cato, R-Travelers Rest, has nominated Rep. Converse Chellis, R-Dorchester, for the office of treasurer to replace Thomas Ravenel, who resigned last month under the cloud of federal cocaine charges.

Cato touted Chellis' qualifications: CPA, former Air Force captain, long-time member of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry committee.

Limehouse confirmed by Senate

H.B. "Buck" Limehouse, of Charleston, was confirmed as the state's first Transportation Director today.

Gov. Mark Sanford nominated the veteran of the agency for the newly created post that will have Limehouse run the day-to-day operations of the $1 billion DOT and report directly to the governor.

Budget and Control Board head quits

Henry White has resigned as executive director of the State Budget and Control Board. His last day on the job will be August 13.

It had been rumored that the board would oust White, who served as Gov. Mark Sanford's chief of staff and is considered an ally to the governor.

Much of that depended on whether the new state treasurer, who will sit on the board sides with the General Assembly or Sanford on how the powerful state agency should run.

Today, the General Assembly will elect a new treasurer to replace Thomas Ravenel, who resigned last month after being indicted on federal drug charges. The prohibitive favorite is Rep. Converse Chellis, R-Dorchester. Chellis' election would mean lawmakers would control the powerful Budget and Control Board.

In a news release, White said he appreciates the
opportunity he has had to work with the Budget and Control Board as Executive Director and prior to that as Deputy General Counsel. 

Gas tax hike fixes roads, bridges, leaders say

The new head of the state's transportation agency and a key Senate budget writer both said South Carolina taxes and fees should be increased to pay for mounting bridge and road maintenance and other transportation needs.

In the wake of an Interstate bridge collapse in Minnesota Wednesday, state transportation officials estimated South Carolina has more than 1,000 bridges in the same need of maintenance as the collapsed bridge.

Transportation Department Secretary H.B. "Buck" Limehouse, who was confirmed to the job by the Senate this morning, argued the state should consider raising the state's 16.8 cents-per-gallon gasoline tax, or imposing a sales tax on fuel sales.

The Transportation Department can not afford to meet state road needs, Limehouse said, which has forced counties to raise their sales tax rates to pay for local projects.

"If the public can see their money is well-spent," Limehouse said, "they don't mind paying it."

Senate Finance committee chairman Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, agreed. Leatherman said the General Assembly should  look at raising the gas tax, raising the $300 sales tax cap on car and truck sales or boosting funding for the State Infrastructure Bank, which helps finance road projects.

"I think you'll see a combination," Leatherman said.

"At some point in time the state of South Carolina is going to have to generate new revenues for the Department of Transportation," he said. "It may take a major catastrophe like that for us to step up and have the will."

Sanford: New treasurer should back grants reform

Gov. Mark Sanford called on the General Assembly to elect a state treasurer who will be a leader in reforming the state's competitive grants program that has been under scrutiny because of a lack of oversight.

The competitive grants program has has been criticized for doling out tens of millions of dollars in grants all across the state with little accountability - more often than not on a "who-knows-who" basis rather than on the merits of the particular project, the governor said in a news release.

The current director of the State Budget and Control Board, with the support of the governor, put a temporary hold on issuing many of the grants. But last month, the Competitive Grants Committee voted to award millions more in grants. Sanford wants lawmakers to elect a treasurer, who sits on the Budget and Control Board, who will also seek to reform the competitive grants program.

"We remain very concerned about millions of dollars in grants being awarded through an unaccountable and not at all transparent process, and believe reform-minded leadership of the Budget and Control Board would be a step toward improving that process," Sanford said in a news release. "The bottom line is that what happens next on that Board not only affects whether $550 million in reforms from the GEAR report will be enacted, but how a program that continues to spend millions via this legislative favor factory continues. This again, too, raises the stakes on who the next Treasurer is, and how important it is for the legislature to have a deliberative process that is open to all, rather than a closed system with only a week to mount a campaign -- thereby guaranteeing an insider the position."

Corley files to fill Moore's Senate seat

A Republican has joined the ranks of declared candidates seeking the Senate District 25 seat vacated this month by Tommy Moore.

Chris Corley, a USC law student and former Aiken County Republican Party vice chairman, filed for the office Tuesday.
Moore resigned from the Senate July 7 to take a job in Virginia with a national payday lending company.

Democratic Rep. William Clyburn of Aiken filed for the Senate District 25 seat earlier. Clyburn, a former educator, has served in the House since 1995.

Candidates may file for the seat, which covers  parts of Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties, until Aug. 6.  Party primaries are scheduled for Sept. 18, with runoffs, if needed, Oct. 2. The election is Nov. 6.

— Roddie Burris

Fred Thompson gets $14,000 from SC

Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, a potential 2008 Republican presidential candidate, raised about $1