Less than 360 days since the national Democrats embraced “new media” to take over Washington at all levels by energizing new voters, it looks like the SC GOP is ready to embrace these “gadgets” too.

It’s been well documented how much the Democrats relied on “new media” to get their message out to the masses , raise tons of money , and get out their vote .

So now, instead of having to just combat the “normal media”, Republicans had better ratchet it up a notch ourselves and start getting on board “new media”.

I was pleased to hear GOP Chairman candidates mention the need to embrace new technology and I’m sure new Chairman Karen Floyd will certainly maximize this medium to help maintain a majority in South Carolina.

Several of us elected officials have been using websites, Twitter and Facebook to communicate with constituents and voters for some time now. We also continue to use the ‘traditional’ ways of staying in touch: constituent service nights, columns in local papers, phone calls, and mailings.

We get it. Hopefully others soon will too.

Last night I was sent a message to text SCGOP to 97180. (I imagine this will be used to help with state fundraising events, GOTV efforts, etc.) So I took 30 seconds and signed up. Hopefully, all Republicans can do the same.

I also heard a few weeks ago that our House Republican Caucus may finally get the much talked about (since last summer) upgrade on our website. We’ll finally trade in our Atari for maybe a Wii. Of course, it’s not like our friends across the aisle in the House are techno-geeks themselves ( House Democrat Caucus Site )

Hopefully the website will look similar to the Senate Republican Caucus and actually connect citizens to more than our bios on the State House Website.

Many voters never hear from their elected officials until it’s election time (coincidence?). That’s wrong. Many voters have no idea how their officials are voting (don’t get me started on that) and that’s wrong.

Granted, many of you probably could care less how we spend our family time but to me, the more we can connect with voters, the better they can know us as individuals and their Representatives and Senators.

We aren’t all “policy wonks” and don’t think too highly of ourselves. We’re supposed to be part-time legislators. We’re supposed to make decisions for the good of the entire state. We’re supposed to listen and we’re supposed to lead.

How can we do that if you never hear from us or we never hear from you?

Looks like that’s changing everyday as more elected officials are embracing “new media”. As someone who once resisted the whole “new media” concept, I’m glad to see both parties embracing it – or soon embracing it.

With the State GOP Convention this weekend in Columbia, look for several formal announcements over the next few days.

Up first appears to be Representative Ted Pitts who will announce his intentions to run for Lt. Governor tomorrow on the internet at 10:00 a.m. I’m planning on watching this because, for starters, I’m friends with Ted and also I like the use of the internet and “new media”.

Nathan’s News readers might remember several months ago I mentioned the possible candidates for Lt. Governor. While Ted is up first, he may soon be joined by another friend of mine, former Representative Ralph Norman . To date the only announced candidate is Republican Bill Connor .

What other announcements could be coming?

For months it’s been assumed current Lt. Governor Andre Bauer as well as Attorney General Henry McMaster will run for Governor. Could this be the week they officially kick off their campaigns? So far, the only announced Republican gubernatorial candidates are current US Representative Greshman Barrett and Furman professor Brent Nelson . The only announced Democratic candidates? Senator Vincent Sheehan (D-Kershaw) and attorney Mullins McLeod .

Who else may run for the state’s top spot?

Lately my desk mate, Representative Nikki Haley , has been in the news with much speculation that an announcement is inevitable . Then there’s Senator Larry Grooms who has apparently announced he will announce soon.

The Democrats considering the top spot? Rumors have been circling that they may look to current House Minority Leader Harry Ott (D-Calhoun) to take back the Governor’s Mansion and make for a three-way primary with Sheehen and McLeod.

Most consultants will tell you SC is still a strong Republican leaning state (Jim Rex being the only Democratic statewide office holder) but could that change this year?

Some other names floating around for statewide offices are: Senator Darrell Jackson , Representative Jerry Govan , Representative Laurie Funderburk (all Democrats considering Lt. Governor bid?).

Should current Attorney General Henry McMaster run for Governor, look for Alan Wilson (US Representative Joe Wilson’s son) and possibly Judiciary Chairman Jim Harrison (R-Richland) to consider a run for the state’s top legal post.

The field is starting to take shape for most statewide spots and with fundraising a big obstacle during these economic times, the sooner you start the better your chances of gathering the dollars needed for these expensive races.

I’m sure there’s another surprise out there. Secretary of State? State Treasurer? If you hear of something feel free to share.

It’s obvious there will be some spirited primaries on both sides for several statewide offices and it will be very interesting to see who’s left standing to carry the mantle of each party come November 2010.

Will it be “politics as usual” or could candidates start focusing on “people, not politics”?

Not to get lost in all this, should be the much expected election of Karen Floyd as the new Chairman of the SC GOP .

William Wallace definitely had it worse; but as a like-minded, freshman colleague told me today when I asked his thoughts before starting the day “I’d just like to win one of these battles for once.”

Today, more of the same.

Nothing major. Just billions of dollars being spent with every House member having PLENTY of time to digest it all (Tongue firmly planted in cheek for those that didn’t read into that). I mean, afterall, we got a couple pages of handouts with numbers on it at lunch. Everyone had a quick bite to eat (Republican Caucus had Chickfila – were they trying to win me over with that one??? Nice call I might add. They almost had me but I stayed strong) and in about 3 hours (including eating) the House passed a budget (with Senate amendments and/or agreements worked out between a few budget writers) that I’m willing to bet not one member (outside of some of the budget writers) could even tell you what it did…other than “spend the stimulus”.

One thing is for sure, we’re heading for a legal battle and….should the SC Supreme Court say the legislature can NOT spend the money and only the Governor can….whew….lookout because that “chaos budget” is much worse for education, corrections, law enforcement and others than the compromise we offered today.

For the record, to be fair to all – we moved to adjourn debate on our amendment for 24 hours just like we did the amendment that passed earlier. Members should have time to digest both proposals before casting their vote on behalf of the 30,000 voters in their community and the 4 million residents of our state. Both motions to adjourn were defeated.

As I said in my floor speech, whether you’re FOR the stimulus or AGAINST it; shouldn’t House members have more than a few hours to figure it out? Remember, the House passed “our version” weeks ago and the Senate changed it “a lot”. So, shouldn’t we get a night to sleep on it and maybe review it so we’d even know what questions to ask? Heck, even Senator McConnell gave the Senate the weekend to mull over the same proposal (presented by Senators Ryberg and Davis).

C’mon, Nathan. That’s just crazy talk to allow ya’ll time to review it. Why should SC members have any more time than the guys/gals in Washington when they voted on it? Just pass it so you can be done with this year’s session next Thursday!

To be fair, I even said most folks probably wouldn’t read the entire thing. Heck, it’s a snoozer for sure but at least review SOME of it and talk with your constituents or find out enough to ask significant questions.

Of course, since the outcome in Columbia is almost always inevitable, maybe members should just keep on taking orders and go-along to get-along?

Awhile back I asked a long-time State House staffer “When do folks get lose their will to fight around here?” He answered “About the third term. They either start going along and playing the game or they decide to get out.”

I can certainly see why that’s the case. Maybe I’m just too stupid and a glutton for punishment?

At least we live for another day in politics and; to be fair, we HAVE won some battle this year. I’ve also seen a “movement” that is growing. More noticeably in the Senate (where Republicans supported the Senate version of proposal we tried today by a vote of 13-11).

Of course, I’m wondering if any of those reforms/safeguards we put in the House Budget when we voted 108-8 to use the stimulus even made it? Wouldn’t know because we couldn’t review in the time we were given today.

Hopefully you’ve been reading my regular columns (every other week) in The New Irmo News and/or following Nathan’s News closely. There’s been much going on lately and I try to keep you as informed as possible. Below is May’s Community Update for you!

STATE HOUSE

Once again, the House is on furlough this week and with as much time away as we’ve spent this year (and all the partisan bickering when we actually are in session), you’re not alone in asking “What did y’all actually accomplish this year?”

Folks, in my five years in office, THIS year seems to be the most contentious . Obviously with budget cuts things get a little testy; however, I’ve never seen the acrimony at this level; both internally within the Republican Caucus and between the Democrats/Republicans on the House floor.

This is no way to lead and effectively run the legislative branch of government. This summer, I’m looking forward to several of us figuring out a way to make this next session one that SC can be proud of with real accomplishments for real people! Of course, with 2010 being an election year for all 124 House Members and our Statewide Constitutional Offices, it might just be worse than ever!

This past Friday was the “crossover” deadline (May 1st) which means that any bill that had not yet passed one chamber (House or Senate) will now need a 2/3 vote from the other chamber (instead of usual majority vote) to become law. As you can imagine there are SEVERAL BILLS that have not cleared either chamber this year so we’ll have to work this summer/fall to get them ready to move along when we return in January.

Speaking of returning, the House passed our “Sine Die” resolution this week which will send us home on May 21 pending any budget vetoes and/or stimulus drama. And plenty of drama there has been already….

YOUR MONEY

Tired of the stimulus/state budget debate yet? Whether you agree or disagree with one’s position (for/against), it was good to see one of our own local students exercising her right in democracy with the recent lawsuit filed. I constantly tell my colleagues that our community is one of the most active – if not THE most active – in our state! (See SCHOOLS section below for more information on that).

One thing to remember in politics, sadly the extremes play their sides well. Reality is oftentimes in the middle.

Campaign Finance Disclosure Bill Update (H.3066): Many have asked “What’s going on with this no-brainer?” All I can say is that I was able to get TWO hearings and finally get it in front of the full House Judiciary Committee; however, the committee ran out of time on the last possible day to pass it to the floor so that it had a good chance of passing this year. Bottom line: won’t pass this year. Might not even get to the House Floor unless the committee meets again before we adjourn sine-dine on May 21st. Yes, it’s frustrating. The bill simply requires more officials and candidates to file their Campaign Reports on-line (transparency) and also matches us with the federal reporting standards by requiring us to report “late contributions” within 48 hours of receipt. Current law does not require this and thus, the name “blackout period” is given to the weeks before an election where no one knows where money is coming and where it’s going. [Read more...]