S.C. CONGRESSMAN EARMARKED $3 MILLION FOR GOLF CENTER

South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson Thursday issued a stern and necessary message to Rep. James Clyburn: Stop using our troops to further your pork-barrel pet projects. The criticism came in the form of a petition on the SCGOP website and a press release attacking Clyburn’s attempt to appropriate millions of dollars in the 2008 defense appropriations bill for the City of Columbia Golf Center — which was renamed the James E. Clyburn Golf Center in August and now features the above-pictured statue of the Congressman.

Today, it was reported, “Clyburn sponsors golf earmark in defense bill” (The Hill, 11/7/2007). Clyburn requested $3 million of the 2008 military spending bill be directed toward a charitable foundation connected to the James E. Clyburn Golf Center in Columbia, S.C. (Roll Call, 11/7/2007).

Clyburn’s spokeswoman defended his $3 million request, saying it will go toward “character education” programs teaching children how to play golf. However, Clyburn’s request “stands out because it has little do with the military” and was introduced in closed-door negotiations among congressional leaders (The Hill, 11/7/2007).

“It is extremely disturbing to see Jim Clyburn divert national defense funds to his own golf facility while he refuses to equip our troops with the resources needed to win the War on Terror,” said Dawson. “We realize winning the War on Terror may be politically inconvenient for Jim Clyburn, but losing the war is incomprehensible to those of us who put the public good before political gain. Our troops deserve better than this, and I call on South Carolinians to sign our petition demanding Jim Clyburn protect our troops instead of polishing his ego.” [SCGOP]

The petition, which goes on to proclaim — “Clyburn’s congressional favor factory has for years endangered America’s long-term economic stability” — is available at: http://www.scgop.com/GetActive/Petition.aspx.

It’s pretty ridiculous that anyone should even have to put together a petition requesting that the House majority whip NOT take millions of taxpayer dollars away from the American military and divert them to the enhancement of his golf center, but that’s what happens when we continue to elect someone like James Clyburn.

If you haven’t yet signed the petition, please take a moment to do so.