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FIRST THE STATE GOP DEBATE TO TAKE PLACE TUESDAY AT 7 P.M.
Five candidates, one stage, numerous television cameras, and a whole lot of drama.
That will be the scene Tuesday night at the Newberry Opera House, where the field of announced and likely Republican gubernatorial candidates will hold the first debate of the 2010 election.
Only a few hundred individuals will be allowed inside the debate, but WIS-TV will be live-streaming the entire event on their website beginning at 7 p.m. Viewers of the WIS Web-cast will be able to submit questions to be asked by moderator Judi Gatson.
The Palmetto Scoop will also be live-blogging the 90 minute debate, so check back here later for our thoughts during the event.
All five candidates will have something to prove.
Attorney General Henry McMaster has to show that he can maintain his status as the current frontrunner.
Rep. Gresham Barrett must find a way to overcome his Congressional record, which includes voting for (and against) a $700 billion bank bailout and supporting the massive government stimulus package.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, the only unannounced candidate at the debate, must convey a message of maturity — that he has outgrown some of his more infamous “wild” behavior.
State Rep. Nikki Haley will have to use the opportunity to separate herself from disgraced Gov. Mark Sanford, on whom she was quite literally banking her campaign for governor.
And State Sen. Larry Grooms desperately needs to convince voters that he belongs on the stage and that he has some semblance of substance to his campaign.
Regardless of what happens, this will likely be a solid indicator of what to expect over the next eight-plus months.
Looking forward to this debate. Hoping to find out more about McMaster and Haley, as they are the only two candidates I’d be comfortable with winning right now.
Barrett and Bauer are more style than substance, and Grooms is just scary. Though, maybe one of those guys can prove otherwise tonight.
As a student of political science and an ardent conservative I must say that Larry Grooms is essentially the embodiment of what conservative principles have to offer, and the candidate South Carolina can most trust.
Contrary to the opinion of voters in the 2008 presidential election: experience matters, and a candidate’s voting record should be the most vital of data for our consideration. Senator Grooms has a 12 year record of true conservatism and pubic service to the people of South Carolina. He has the most conservative voting record in the Senate, from spending and expansion of government to life issues, his record speaks for itself. It is about time a legislator put his power to use, talking points and promises do nothing for the citizenry, and Senator Grooms has shown that his priority lies with the tax payers.
Perhaps the most captivating aspect of Larry Grooms is his embodiment of the American Dream. His political life was not born of pride or want of glory; he became a public servant after having worked his way from a trailer to the business world where he experienced, first hand, the need for reform. He eventually became the founder and president of his own company. It is this drive, experience, and unwavering principle that can lead this state honestly and efficiently.
In the race for the leadership of South Carolina I choose to put my faith in a man who was not only proven himself to the state, but also stands to remind us what true conservatism is.
If you are interested in the race tune in tonight to the debate and see for yourself. If you are on twitter the hash is #scdebate see you there!
The Bauer Hour of Decorating Power is about to begin.
Columbia’s interior design crowd has been hissing like tea kettles at the prospect of a Bauer governorship. Now, the lieutenant-guvnah may or may not be gay, but honey he does likes pretty things. Have you seen his darling apartment on Senate Street? Yes, Senate Street no less.
So who was spotted rustling the rhododendron outside the governor’s mansion the other evening? Was some light-in-the-loafers-laddie measuring drapes with an iPod camera? Was he armed with paint charts and old copies of Architectural Digest? Well, let’s just say he was driving the most adorable little Smart Car you ever did see!
And if it is curtains for Mark Sanford, we’re sure Andre’s window treatments of magenta portieres festooned with ball fringe will be capable of completely darkening the parlor at a moments notice. Midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show? The latest X-tube feature? Say, does anyone have a donkey?
And the parties! Oh, the parties. Can we talk? How many guests invited to the sure to be fabulous Halloween fancy dress gala will be bearded? Glenn? Lindsay? My, my, where is Truman Capote or Mike Rogers when you need them?
And here’s a costume idea for the L-G: (save your sequins everybody) descend the staircase as Liberace! Now, girls, there’s a candelabra in a closet somewhere; drag it in here.
Boys will be boys, But boys rarely will be governors. Hold on to your pasties girls, this is gonna be fun.