“TEA PARTY FAVORITE” IS ON THE ROPES …
S.C. Sen. Lee Bright has abruptly dropped out of a Republican U.S. Senate debate in Aiken County, S.C. without offering an explanation – fueling rumors that he may be exiting the race itself.
Bright’s decision to bail on the Aiken Republican Club’s candidate forum this week comes on the heels of yet another depressing fundraising quarter for the so-called “Tea Party favorite” in the race to vanquish incumbent liberal Lindsey Graham (who is also not participating in the debate).
Bright brought in just $141,168 during the latest fundraising period – and has only $78,557 on hand for the final two months of the race. That’s the lowest total of any of Graham’s “major” challengers – and worrisome when one considers Bright’s disastrous personal financial history.
Columbia, S.C. pastor Det Bowers raised $417,367 in the most recent quarter and has $384,248 to spend. Lowcountry businesswoman Nancy Mace raised $208,000 during the last quarter and has $223,000 to spend. Orangeburg, S.C. attorney and Afghan War veteran Bill Connor raised $170,036 (including a $100,000 loan) and has $314,529 to spend. Meanwhile Upstate businessman Richard Cash raised $347,626 (including a $200,000 loan) and has $464,056 to spend.
Personally, we don’t think Bright is dropping out …
Despite his anemic fundraising, over-the-top social conservatism and mud-slinging brand of campaigning, he remains the only challenger to Graham who has cracked ten percent in any public opinion polls related to the race.
If Graham fails to draw 50 percent of the GOP primary vote on June 10, he would face the second-place finisher in a runoff election on June 24. And if he emerges victorious in that race, he will face a Democratic nominee and independent challenger Thomas Ravenel in November.
25 comments
If he is dropping out, it’ll be great news for me at least. All of the other candidates including Graham are better suited for the job than this crazy all-you-can-eat buffet abuser.
That’s a face only a buffet owner could love.
The Million Dollar Saloon has happy hour lunches.
The fact that he is the “tea party favorite” shows you all there is to know about the tea party.
and Lindsey says he’s the tea bagging choice… perplexing
I just hope Mace stays in to split the Liberal-Tarian (moderate) and democrat vote…between her and Lindsey…
Riding home last night I saw what I thought was a huge Lee Bright sign on someone’s roof. I thought that might be his headquarters, but then I realized they were only patching their roof.
At least the collective IQ of the remaining candidates just skyrocketed by about 100 points.
Bowers has raised the most, has the most remaining, and didn’t have to loan his campaign any money to do it. So why isn’t THAT the news?
Bright is broke, Mace isn’t catching fire, and Connor is doing only slightly better. Bowers is the only credible Graham alternative, it looks to me.
Good point, I see Bowers as the most dangerous of the candidates to Miss Lindsey.
Bowers will never get down and roll around in the mud with Miss Lindsey and isn’t much different politically, but if an operative of Bowers starts in on the homo stuff and is able to keep it away from Bowers then that’s bad news for Miss Lindsey.
Bowers is a mirror image of Graham.
You think so Javan?
Has Lee Bright even made an attempt to have an interview session with WIl Folks on the record and have it posted on Youtube at least..?
I want to hear his position on beer and pretzels.
crappo, we need more crap insc
Buh-bye US Senate candidate Lee Bright. A few observations are beginning to materialize. Citadel graduates are not showering US Senate candidate Mace with donations and South Carolina voters by and large are creatures for establishment print media. The sophisticated word of mouth establishment (small town lawyers advising the local gentry) is decidedly pro Graham. Begs the question if social and alternative media is effective with the over 40 Republican voters in South Carolina. I say no.
Are you fucking stupid? He has a job in the SC Senate you know. there have been several forums your bitch Mace dropped out of. Since Graham isn’t going to be there it’s pretty damn useless anyway
Does it matter?
He’s going nowhere,nor are the others opposing Graham.
Even a good voting record won’t get a drunk out of bed.
None of these challengers are credible. Why the heck didn’t Curtis Loftis run for Senate. It would have been like Mourdock the state treasurer in Indiana beating RINO Lugar – except Loftis would have also won the general.
Were I he, I would. He’s a nice guy, in person, but he is neither carved of stone nor leather-set.
Wait a minute here. Let’s think this through. Lee’s got $78,557 in the bank? And he “may” be dropping out? That’s more money than that bankrupt, failed business owner has had in the bank in his life. Given all the flexibility with which he can spend that money, his “failed” campaign made him more $ than he’s made in years. Of course he’ll drop out. He used his faux campaign to make $! Maybe Bright ain’t so dim after all.
Anyone see his financial reports where he reimburses himself thousands of dollars for “mileage.” Seriously, wtf man. Is he trying to live off campaign funds?
I spoke with his campaign manager today. The other side of this is that Bright is the only one in State Senate and he has to be in Columbia. I like the fact that Fits brings things to light that need to be said like SC DSS but this story degrades any credibility whatsoever. A story about his money position is fine, but making up things that aren’t true is not acceptable. http://www.thebryancrabtreeshow.com
The gist of the comments reveals the vacuum brains of the writers. The FOCUS is Lindsey “Lacecuffs” Gramnesty, and replacing him before his progressive actions/votes send us further into the pink hole of Liberalism. If his only transgression were the votes for Kagan and Sotomayor, that’s enough…GET RID OF HIM! The sane manner for that quest is coalescence about a Primary opponent. Deny Gramnesty the 50% he must have…Lee Bright can do it; that’s the horse I’m riding. For the sake of Country and Constitution, saddle up and focus…time is short.
Have you personally talked with Lee Bright…donated to his campaign…mentioned his name to others? No? Quit whining, wasting words and wipe off…it’s time for action!