SC

McConnell Can’t Make Up His Mind

For years things were simple for Glenn McConnell. He was the most powerful man in the South Carolina Senate – a master of the chamber’s rules and one of its most fearless personalities. The Charleston, S.C. “Republican in Name Only” was one of a handful of lawmakers who ran the…

For years things were simple for Glenn McConnell. He was the most powerful man in the South Carolina Senate – a master of the chamber’s rules and one of its most fearless personalities.

The Charleston, S.C. “Republican in Name Only” was one of a handful of lawmakers who ran the show in the Palmetto State – and the very last politician in the S.C. State House to pick a fight with.

However all of that changed in March of 2012, when S.C. Lt. Gov. Ken Ard was forced to resign his seat amid a major campaign finance scandal. Thanks to South Carolina’s line of succession, McConnell was forced to assume the lieutenant governor’s office – a part-time, largely ceremonial position which enjoys no real power.

Stripped of his influence, the sharks have begun circling around the 65-year-old politician – who is rumored to be in poor health.

Earlier this year S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley – who has been on the receiving end of McConnell’s power plays in the past – successfully recruited a Lowcountry real estate developer to challenge him in next year’s GOP primary elections.

McConnell is livid – and has considered challenging Haley in the GOP gubernatorial primary by way of retribution.

His other options? Hanging back until the S.C. Supreme Court’s Chief Justice slot opens up (possibly 2015) or throwing his name in the mix for the soon-to-be-available president’s job at the College of Charleston.

What will McConnell do? At this point no one knows. He hasn’t been raising money for a statewide campaign, although given his Rolodex and the numerous IOUs he has accumulated over the years he should have no problem filling his coffers should he decide to do so.

But can he win statewide? That’s debatable. McConnell’s obsession with the Confederacy – including tens of millions of tax dollars spent on the H.L. Hunley submarine – presents a serious obstacle to any successful statewide candidacy. And assuming the rumors about his health are true, the ruthless political brawler may not be up for the fight of his political life.

Which leads us to McConnell’s other option … doing nothing.

“He may just hang it up,” one source familiar with McConnell’s thinking says.

Whatever path he chooses, McConnell needs to make his decision soon – especially if he’s gearing up for a statewide campaign.

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36 comments

El Kabong August 15, 2013 at 7:59 am

maybe he will run in the primary just to force Haley to expend dollars to defeat him..

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CorruptionInColumbia August 16, 2013 at 11:06 am

Is this the same El Kabong who used to be on WLTX and who had a taste for Yogi Bear fried chicken?

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El Kabong August 15, 2013 at 7:59 am

maybe he will run in the primary just to force Haley to expend dollars to defeat him..

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CorruptionInColumbia August 16, 2013 at 11:06 am

Is this the same El Kabong who used to be on WLTX and who had a taste for Yogi Bear fried chicken?

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IMMAHANGUPPENLISSEN August 15, 2013 at 8:28 am

He won’t challenge Haley because he knows he can’t win. Someone of his gravitas and intellect would never want to admit defeat to a prima donna like Haley.

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shifty henry August 15, 2013 at 8:28 am

Do nothing – go out in glory.

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IMMAHANGUPPENLISSEN August 15, 2013 at 8:28 am

He won’t challenge Haley because he knows he can’t win. Someone of his gravitas and intellect would never want to admit defeat to a prima donna like Haley.

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shifty henry August 15, 2013 at 8:28 am

Do nothing – go out in glory.

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darksied calling August 15, 2013 at 9:48 am

considering that he would be the last seperately elected Lt. Governor in SC if he ran, the gossip from the inner most circles is he is running for Lt. Governor and will then retire from politics in 2018–if he lives that long.

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darksied calling August 15, 2013 at 9:48 am

considering that he would be the last seperately elected Lt. Governor in SC if he ran, the gossip from the inner most circles is he is running for Lt. Governor and will then retire from politics in 2018–if he lives that long.

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Squishy123 August 15, 2013 at 11:16 am

“who is rumored to be in poor health”

So the AIDS medications aren’t working?

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Mike at the Beach August 16, 2013 at 1:04 am

Bro, you really are a mean-spirited little fuck.

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Squishy123 August 15, 2013 at 11:16 am

“who is rumored to be in poor health”

So the AIDS medications aren’t working?

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Mike at the Beach August 16, 2013 at 1:04 am

Bro, you really are a mean-spirited little fuck.

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Bill Clinton August 15, 2013 at 11:18 am

Run for governor, Glenn! This state NEEDS someone like you…

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Bill Clinton August 15, 2013 at 11:18 am

Run for governor, Glenn! This state NEEDS someone like you…

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Thomas August 15, 2013 at 4:25 pm

Glenn should challenge Sen Scott in 2014…and become the GOP Senate Parliamentarian he is capable of being.

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Thomas August 15, 2013 at 4:25 pm

Glenn should challenge Sen Scott in 2014…and become the GOP Senate Parliamentarian he is capable of being.

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ELCID August 15, 2013 at 4:28 pm

Glenn is a very interesting person.
He knows the politics of this State better than anyone.
As a Governor, he’d know how to get things done.
The real questions would be: What things would he want to get done??

I’m in the “Anybody, but Trickey Nickey,” category: even Glenn McConnell.

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Scooter August 15, 2013 at 7:59 pm

This guy can get elected if he will devote the money and time to it. He will draw well in the Upstate too.

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ELCID August 15, 2013 at 4:28 pm

Glenn is a very interesting person.
He knows the politics of this State better than anyone.
As a Governor, he’d know how to get things done.
The real questions would be: What things would he want to get done??

I’m in the “Anybody, but Trickey Nickey,” category: even Glenn McConnell.

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Scooter August 15, 2013 at 7:59 pm

This guy can get elected if he will devote the money and time to it. He will draw well in the Upstate too.

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Philip Branton August 15, 2013 at 4:54 pm

LOL……LOL…….

“…..What will McConnell do? At this point no one knows. He hasn’t been raising money for a statewide campaign, although given his Rolodex and the numerous IOUs he has accumulated over the years he should have no problem filling his coffers should he decide to do so….”

Once again Mr. Wil Folks really has no clue how Glenn should be USED…?

We wonder just how many politicos in the State of South Carolina have read this article….

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/world/africa/arms-shipments-seen-from-sudan-to-syria-rebels.html?hp&_r=0

Matter of fact, we wonder how many Citadel Cadets have read the article and have reviewed the Port of Charleston’s import and export ledgers…?? Can any of the Cadets perceive the implications of a McConnell, Graham and MACE debate trifecta after reading this article…??

If McConnell knows how to get replica Civil War muskets….we feel sure he understands how Chinese “investment in Sudan can be used to launder US funds to support the REBELS in Syria..??

Matter of Fact, we wonder why WIl Folks has not questioned Mace on any “foreign policy” vision she has..? …..or especially Glenn McConnell…? Heck, if Graham is going to be a Casper candidate then how are South Carolina Cadets supposed to understand WHO to cheer for with their Daddy’s money…?

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Philip Branton August 15, 2013 at 4:54 pm

LOL……LOL…….

“…..What will McConnell do? At this point no one knows. He hasn’t been raising money for a statewide campaign, although given his Rolodex and the numerous IOUs he has accumulated over the years he should have no problem filling his coffers should he decide to do so….”

Once again Mr. Wil Folks really has no clue how Glenn should be USED…?

We wonder just how many politicos in the State of South Carolina have read this article….

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/world/africa/arms-shipments-seen-from-sudan-to-syria-rebels.html?hp&_r=0

Matter of fact, we wonder how many Citadel Cadets have read the article and have reviewed the Port of Charleston’s import and export ledgers…?? Can any of the Cadets perceive the implications of a McConnell, Graham and MACE debate trifecta after reading this article…??

If McConnell knows how to get replica Civil War muskets….we feel sure he understands how Chinese “investment in Sudan can be used to launder US funds to support the REBELS in Syria..??

Matter of Fact, we wonder why WIl Folks has not questioned Mace on any “foreign policy” vision she has..? …..or especially Glenn McConnell…? Heck, if Graham is going to be a Casper candidate then how are South Carolina Cadets supposed to understand WHO to cheer for with their Daddy’s money…?

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Jackie August 15, 2013 at 5:46 pm

“most powerful man in the Senate ..” that’s something to be proud of, considering how f-ed up the Legislature is … like being the smartest kid in the dumbest class. Thanks, Glenn, for helping make us #50 in nearly every category … some leadership … jerk.

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Jackie August 15, 2013 at 5:46 pm

“most powerful man in the Senate ..” that’s something to be proud of, considering how f-ed up the Legislature is … like being the smartest kid in the dumbest class. Thanks, Glenn, for helping make us #50 in nearly every category … some leadership … jerk.

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Todd August 15, 2013 at 8:16 pm

McConnell formed some uneasy alliance with Queen Jean Toal a few years back. When he was no longer chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he was not of as much use to the Queen as he once was. However, when she decided to screw over Pleicones, she went back to McConnell. There is some question now as to what he has told the Queen he intends to do. Perhaps McConnell woke up to the fact of just what a snake the Queen really is. This could get interesting.

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Todd August 15, 2013 at 8:16 pm

McConnell formed some uneasy alliance with Queen Jean Toal a few years back. When he was no longer chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he was not of as much use to the Queen as he once was. However, when she decided to screw over Pleicones, she went back to McConnell. There is some question now as to what he has told the Queen he intends to do. Perhaps McConnell woke up to the fact of just what a snake the Queen really is. This could get interesting.

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Polyphemos August 15, 2013 at 9:31 pm

What I am about to say is not meant to be a cut at Will or Glenn or Frank Pytel, all of whom of whom I consider friends.. but here goes.. (throat clearing noises)..

Do you know what a political IOU is worth once the politician is out of power? Metaphorically speaking, your dog may have done it on Frank Pytel’s front lawn. I hate it, but, there you are.

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Slartibartfast August 15, 2013 at 9:31 pm

What I am about to say is not meant to be a cut at Will or Glenn or Frank Pytel, all of whom of whom I consider friends.. but here goes.. (throat clearing noises)..

Do you know what a political IOU is worth once the politician is out of power? Metaphorically speaking, your dog may have done it on Frank Pytel’s front lawn. I hate it, but, there you are.

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à Dieu to McConnell August 16, 2013 at 4:09 am

He’s too queer to win a statewide race — and by that I mean (a) his sexual orientation (lack of wife, children, lives with his mother, etc.) and (b) his abnormal obsession with the Hunley, wearing Confederate uniforms, and playing with his custom-built brass cannon.

He’s no longer powerful enough to get the House votes needed to get a judgeship. (Many there simply hate him.)

His AIDS problem is too well known by the C of C board — who are “spooked” by the thought of that disease being made public, and with whom he also has no clout.

He’s a shriveled shell of his former wretched self.

Maybe his lover, Warren Lasch, will give him a job dispatching BMWs from Columbus Street Terminal.

Payback time, right, Glenn?

à Dieu.

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Sam August 16, 2013 at 10:49 am

But Warren is/was married.

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à Dieu to McConnell August 16, 2013 at 4:09 am

He’s too queer to win a statewide race — and by that I mean (a) his sexual orientation (lack of wife, children, lives with his mother, etc.) and (b) his abnormal obsession with the Hunley, wearing Confederate uniforms, and playing with his custom-built brass cannon.

He’s no longer powerful enough to get the House votes needed to get a judgeship. (Many there simply hate him.)

His AIDS problem is too well known by the C of C board — who are “spooked” by the thought of that disease being made public, and with whom he also has no clout.

He’s a shriveled shell of his former wretched self.

Maybe his lover, Warren Lasch, will give him a job dispatching BMWs from Columbus Street Terminal.

Payback time, right, Glenn?

à Dieu.

Reply
Sam August 16, 2013 at 10:49 am

But Warren is/was married.

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Charlie August 16, 2013 at 7:32 am

Vote against all incumbents.

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Charlie August 16, 2013 at 7:32 am

Vote against all incumbents.

Reply

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