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SCOTT SCHOOLS OTHERS, RISES TO TOP
Perhaps the most common mistake in politics is to let emotion supersede good judgment.
It happens all the time; often when an individual decides to become excessively vocal on a controversial issue while ignoring the opinions of colleagues, rather than working behind the scenes to make sure the goal is achieved. And the result is always the same — they ostracize themselves from the majority.
It’s exactly the reason that people like Gov. Mark Sanford are generally ineffective, even when they’re right about an issue. Let’s call it the “play well with others rule.” And that’s exactly what’s going on in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
There are a small group of folks in the House led by Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) and a few others running around throwing stones at the current leadership, hoping to create enough petty squabbles to stir a revolt from which they can capitalize. Let’s call them the “Gluttons for Punishment.”
Naturally, House Speaker Bobby Harrell has no choice but to intervene and ensure that order prevails. Often, that comes in the form of a punishment, like booting Ballentine from the influential Ethics Committee and sending him to the not-so-influential Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs committee.
And when that happens, the unruly Gluttons cry martyrdom. Unfortunately for them, though, such a cycle of behavior has cost the Glutton one of the most important things in politics… power.
They have alienated themselves from their peers and have been blacklisted and relegated to the Sanford category of ineffectiveness. As a result, anything they touch is instantly written off.
So, even when the Gluttons are crusading on behalf of a good cause like transparency in state government, they are ignored.
But Rep. Tim Scott is showing them how it’s done. And they would be wise to pay close attention and learn from him.
With a rock-solid set of conservative principles and by using judgment, rather than emotion, to control his actions, Scott is immediately rising to the top.
When committee assignments were released Wednesday, Scott found himself as the lone freshman on the powerful Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee. There’s no doubt that any one of the Gluttons would give their first born child to be on LCI, yet they are stuck on largely-uninfluential committees.
From his position of power, however, Scott will be able to lead a conservative, reform-minded agenda by working with others, playing by the rules, and conducting himself like a grown-up, rather than a child.
As Scott is surely aware, it’s all about how you play the game. And he is demonstrating that you can get a lot more done through hard work than through complaining and picking fights with others.
The bottom line is that power should never get in the way of principle. But principle without power is pointless. After all, what good is a core set of beliefs if you can do nothing with them?
So kudos to Rep. Scott, and here’s hoping that he’ll be a strong steward of good conservatism.
Adam,
Great write-up. My only question is this … Tim’s “hard work” played a key role in elevating some pretty hard core liberal Republicans to key positions in state government.
I, too, hope Tim uses his perch on LCI for good, but with a Chairman like Bill Sandifer, we’re once again relegated to RINOs ruling the roost.
It’s great to appreciate someone’s talent for elevating their own interests, but my argument would be that we’ve got enough people in Columbia with those sorts of skills, and that it’s time someone was willing to put the “Taxpayers First” for a change.
That, in fact, was Tim Scott’s campaign slogan. At this point, however, it is not his governing philosophy.
Hopefully that’ll change soon, but as of now I don’t see anything commendable about what Tim did.
W
RQ&A have a new client?
Ha! the glutton for punishment caucus. Love it McFogle..
Play the game. . . great. Let him play the game. I would like to think that now he could make some headway on conservative reform, but it is doubtful. I want to think that, but what I do think, is that Tim Scott sold out to the Speaker. Now he’ll do well in the house. But we will do worse- those of us are are sick and tired of all of this crap, and want some real reform. It finally came to a head this week with the stunts pulled against Ballentine and Haley. Adam- I usually agree with almost everyone you support and what you say, however here I must disagree. I just hope that other recently-elected reformers in the House and Senate don’t disappoint so soon. And most of all- I hope Tim Scott proves me wrong.
the only entity “playing the game” is House leadership…..and they are playing Mr. Scott. House leadership already looks sexist…..they had to do something to avoid looking racist as well…..
Let’s see … you’re on the payroll at RQA … shocker you right a piece attempting to slam Rep. Ballentine.
Ballentine kicked your boss out of the House and Harrell was “devasted” by the loss. Harrell fails to realize history repeats itself.
Scott sold his soul to the devil . . . that’s too bad. I hope Scott enjoys his 2 year House tour.
When will the men stop acting like children?
i would have no problem with the speaker throwing his weight around…if he would act like a damned republican every once in a while.
Tim Scott is being played like a fiddle. The sole reason Scott was put on LCI, is so the GOP can say, “Hey, black people… You can be a Republican and we’ll make you powerful.”
However, please remember, Scott was Sanford’s candidate for State Treasurer, and he did not get a single vote in the General Assembly. So, how much do these guys really like Tim Scott? Apparently not well enough for one of them to even nominate him from the floor to replace T-Rav.
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