Question for Palmetto State DU'ers: Does this Sanford thing give you a chance to turn SC blue?

[Ken Burch]

You guys have had a harder slog than just about anyone in our party outside of, well, Idaho and Utah. Will you be able to work with this situation at all?

[checks-n-balances]

1. K&R by a former Sandlapper for present ones

Great question, Ken, and hope you get some replies.

[Ken Burch]

4. Thanks.

n/t.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. If the state Dem party ever does anything.

They have been worse than useless. They are a group of people who are guarding their little patch of turf. I was over them when they didn't run anyone decent against Graham in 2008. Instead an ex Ron Paul supporter who changed parties won the primary. That loon got 42% of the vote anyway.

Linda Ketner is an out lesbian and she cam within 4 points of upsetting a white, male, Rethug incumbent for Congress. The national party didn't help until the end. SC has had decent Dems. Senator Fritz Hollings is one. If Ketner can run the race she did, it's a matter of finding cadidates and building steadily.

Obama is setting up offices in the state. Hopefully, that will shake things up.

[Ken Burch]

3. If Dems don't hold that many seats there, what "turf' doef the leadership have to guard?

Is there something in it for them in keeping their own party down?

(I've heard rumors of that regarding the Texas Dem "leadership").

At the moment, isn't Rep. Clyburn pretty much it as far as SC Dems go?

[SCantiGOP]

7. not just Clyburn

He is by far the most powerful, but the other Dem House member is John Spratt, who chairs the Budget Committee. He is a genius who made millions in the banking industry and is regarded even by Republicans as one of the few people in DC who actually understand the budget process. State Superintendent of Education is a statewide elected Democrat, and as I mentioned in a post below Sanford unseated a Democratic Governor. If we can sustain the Obama effect we can make some gains. These horrible economic times are making some poor whites realize they may have more in common with their black counterparts than with the libertarian country club Republicans.

[SCantiGOP]

10. concerning Ketner

There are strong rumors that Bauer is going to move to Charleston(he already owns a condo) and run for the congressional seat. It is obvious that Henry Brown is vulnerable.

[CheshireCat]

5. No

I doubt the Sanford for thing has the potential of turning SC blue anytime soon, although I think there are more Dems in SC than appears when you look at the number of elected officials. However, the SC Dem party seems unable to organize and lead a strong group of Democratic voters.

Although many good people have joined the SC Dem Party and have tried to move the party in the "left" direction, the TPTB in the current party have no intention of giving up any control, even if it means staying "repub light" and losing elections. If the Dems in SC had good leadership and had viable Dems candidates for which to vote, SC would have as many elected Democrats as they have Repubs.

[SCantiGOP]

6. I think it will help

The GOP is very divided now, with one wing more interested in keeping Bauer out of office than in whatever happens to Sanford. I would like to see his miserable battered carcass still sitting in the Governor's office come election day, but I think he'll be out fairly soon. If Bauer has any screw ups, and if Vince Sheheen can raise some money and run a good campaign, we might have a real chance. Don't forget that Sanford beat an incumbent Democrat just 6 1/2 years ago. He had won because he had a good issue (state lottery) and he was running against an unpopular Republican.
I serve on the Executive Committee of my county, and my wife is Precinct Chair, and we have already donated to Sheheen. Anyone complaining about the Democrats only protecting turf is urged to get out and do the same. Obama brought about a level of excitement among minorities and young voters that I never thought I'd see. I'm going to work my butt off to sustain that.

[Ken Burch]

9. What's with the "keep Bauer out at all cost" crowd?

The guy's another Republican. What's their problem with letting him take over?

[SCantiGOP]

8. As of 3pm on Wednesday

It's being reported that a majority, 14 of 27, of the Republican Senators have called on him to step down. It's only a matter of time.

[alteredstate]

11. Yes.

eom