SPRATT COULD HEAD OMB, BEASLEY, BAUER MAY SEEK VACANT SEAT
Less than a week has passed since Barack Obama was elected president, but already he is hard at work putting together his administration. And on that short list are South Carolina’s two Congressional Democrats.
I wrote last week that Rep. James Clyburn is being considered for a cabinet post — likely secretary of Housing and Urban Development — and the Associated Press reported over the weekend that Rep. John Spratt is the odds-on favorite to head the Office of Management and Budget. While I don’t foresee Clyburn giving up his majority whip post in the House for a cabinet position, it is quite likely that Spratt will take the OMB job if offered.
Which would lead to a rare and interesting special election for the 5th Congressional District that I’m told could draw out some very heavy hitters. Three Republican names in particular have surfaced as possible candidates for the seat — former Gov. David Beasley, State Rep. Ralph Norman, and even Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.
Obviously, Norman would have almost no chance at winning the nomination. Despite more than $1 million from the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2006, he still lost to Spratt by 14 points.
But the other two, Beasley and Bauer, would be quite formidable and would certainly give Republicans a shot at winning this solidly Democratic seat.
Of course, there are others who could jump in the race, were it to happen. As Earl Capps wrote today, RNC Committeeman Glenn McCall and State Sens. Ronnie Cromer and Wes Hayes may all be contenders for the GOP nomination.
But even among that field, the clear front runner would have to be Beasley. He has the name ID, the network, and the ability to raise money than all the others put together — even Bauer.
Now, I’m sure political consultant Terry Sullivan and his cronies can’t wait to attack “The Beaz,” but even they would be hard-pressed to argue that Beasley didn’t kick Sen. Jim DeMint’s ass in that district during the 2004 election. In a six-way primary, the former governor garnered more than 56 percent of the vote and in a runoff two weeks later, he defeated DeMint by a 60-40 margin.
Also working in Beasley’s favor would be Chuck Norris… and we all know what that means.
If Bauer decided to get into the race, it would certainly add a whole new dynamic to the race, but Beasley would still be the frontrunner. Were Beasley to win the primary, he would likely face only token opposition due to the fact that there really aren’t any strong Democrats in the district — certainly none with his kind of prowess.
All of this, however, is contingent upon Spratt being offered and taking the OMB post. So Republicans shouldn’t count their Congressman before they hatch.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 at 12:55 pm and is filed under U.S. Congress. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
If Ralph Norman had paid RQ&A in 2006 instead of Tompkins, he’d be the front runner. If Beasley hadn’t paid RQ&A in 2004, his name wouldn’t even appear here, much less as the front runner. Man, this blog is so programmatic.
Hey Team RQ&A,
Do you plan to do the same bang up job running Gov. Beasley’s Campaign this time that you did last time? He beat Jim DeMint in the 5th Congressional District??? Seriously!?!? That’s the best you can come up with? Didn’t that “political consultant Terry Sullivan and his cronies” pound the hell out of you and David Beasley by 20 points??? Why on earth would Beasley hire you again if he were going to run? Even Charlie Condon was smart enough to learn from that mistake. What short memories people have.
Norman got more than $1 million from the RNCC? Where did this information come from?
Norman was not a client of TTS in 2006. Starboard was the only SC Consultant that did work for Norman, which was limited to mail
and no, he did not get $1 million from the NRCC. They pulled out of most challenger races early in 06 for obvious reasons. They never ran a TV ad on Norman’s behalf and only dropped some mail
Not to be a killjoy here, but I didn’t think Andre lived in that district. I was under the impression he used to be a state senator in Lexington and lives out in Ballentine or somewhere now.
Talked to John Spratt earlier this week, he’s staying put. “I can be more of a service to South Carolina and the United States if I stay in as Chairman of the Budget Committee.”
Plus, we all know “the least ambitious man in Washington” wouldn’t mind being Chairman of the Armed Services Committee one day…
Plus…….. This isn’t a “solidly Democratic seat.” McCain and Sanford both won the 5th in 2006 and 2008.
Yeah 1) this is a seat that is leaning Republican on the federal level, only Spratt could hold it easily. And 2) the only office Andre is running for is GOVERNOR and he is making the rounds raising money for it. He isn’t interested in any other office but governor. You can take it to the bank.
Rob W., you are right that Bauer doesn’t live in the disctrict, but in S.C. you do not have to live inside of the Congressional Dist. you represent, just in the state (uniquely enough, I think it is the only office like that). However, that would have to be a hindrance to him in a primary. On the Democratic side I think Sens. Sheheen, Leventis and Malloy all live in that district and I would be pleased to see any one of them if they were willing to run. Of course and opponent like Bauer or Beasely would be tough to beat because of the obvious name recognition gap. Spratt lending his name/support to his democratic protege (whomever that might be) could help make the race much more tight though.
Interesting Article and nice Pic, by the way…
So, I´m not so interested in Politic like others because I simply think that the most important thing for the most politicians is their own interests. But I found this article so good and shows a good point of view, especially when it reads: “Also working in Beasley’s favor would be Chuck Norris… and we all know what that means”. That´s sound sooooo sarcastic!!!