We've heard a lot about Francine Busby in the past month or two. Jon Tester as well. The odd mention of Angelides and the whole CA-Gov mess. But there's an election going on today as well- one that makes me think a good deal about the 50-state strategy and the identity of the Democratic party. It's not a hugely competitive race, but it's real nonetheless- The South Carolina Democratic and Republican Primaries are today. Follow me for a summary and thoughts.....
Today is primary day in South Carolina for any race this fall. That is governor, all six congressional districts, state treasurer, agriculture secretary, education secretary, and lieutenant governor, as well as any state assembly district that wants to have a primary. I live in the hated Joe Wilson (ironic, no?) district of SC-2, so no hope there. However, SC-Gov has some issues.
Mark Sanford, a marginally popular GOP governor who is HATED by the GOP SC general assembly, is facing a primary challenge today from an underfunded maverick, Dr. Oscar Lovelace. Lovelace is, to say the least, unconventional for an SC Republican. He has not mentioned abortion, gays, or immigrants in this race- unlike, say, the GOP candidates for STATE TREASURER, which has NOTHING to do with those things. Lovelace wants to cut property taxes, raise cigarette taxes to fund new healthcare initiatives, and support public schools. I would REALLY like for Oscar to pull off an upset today for two reasons. One, he's the only SC Republican on the scene who's not virulently anti-public education. Sanford's incessant badmouthing of our schools means I would never vote for him even if he was to the left of Dianne Feinstein. (I teach in one, y'see). I could deal with the guy as governor. Two, he has little cash- if he won the primary the Dems could maybe take back the governor's mansion.
Which brings us to the Democratic candidates- three of them. Dennis Aughtry, Tommy Moore, and Frank Willis. Here's the problem. When these three gentlemen had a debate two weeks ago, they were asked about their support for John Kerry. Tommy Moore is the only one who voted for John Kerry. And trust me, this ain't the kind of place where the other guys voted for Nader. So that's right, in SC today, two of the three democrats running for governor VOTED FOR GEORGE BUSH IN 2004. Not 2000, but 2004. Tommy Moore is the front-runner, but Jesus....this shows us how much we need a national message and to shed the image of "New England Elite". I voted for Kerry. I was OK, but not crazy, about Kerry. I'm not saying we shouldn't have picked him just to appease the south, not at all. But we have to figure out SOMETHING. Moore's main proposals are to boost state job training programs to train unemployed people for available jobs, put more money not less in the schools, and spend more on public health. To be fair, the main points of Aughtry (Bush-voter :)) are to cut the size of the SC House, legalize gambling, and use that money to fund education and health care (regressive tax, anyone?) and Willis (Bush Voter) wants to focus on rural job creation, boost the power of local governments, and proactively recruit industries.
Lieutenant Gov- GOP primary. Speedin' Andre faces a challenge from popular governor's son Michael Campbell. Andre is an asshole. Andre has been pulled over 3 times for speeding (65 in a 30 zone in downtown columbia, 105 on the interstate, 80 in a 55 zone, if I remember right). Once he had a gun pulled on him because he jumped out and started screaming at a cop. Two other times he got out of the fine by pulling his weight on the cop. Two weeks ago he crashed his plane. When the state bought his land to widen a road he mysteriously got paid twice as much as his neighbors. This is basically the general election.
Ag Commissioner- vote Emile DeFelice! He's got some interestingly progressive ideas, including using local produce and meats for school lunches and encouraging local food in local restaurants, as well as tax breaks for farmers that opt to use new environmentally friendly methods.
Education and Treasurer- GOP Primary only, as far as I know. BUT, these are the ONLY TWO STATEWIDE SEATS democrats have. They are both in SERIOUS danger. You want to keep any dems in office in SC, give to Grady Patterson, the incumbent Democratic treasurer.
I've seen the Democratic Party crumble in South Carolina. I've done not as much as I should have- I give money, I write letters to the editor, I harangue people, and I vote- but I could and should do more. But I have this one final reflection on the 50-state strategy. Those who oppose it are thinking only of presidential power and senatorial things. We need this strategy so that democrats can make life better in state and local governments- we DESPERATELY need it. This isn't all about who wins the white house.