AN OBJECT LESSON FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA UPSTATE …
Here at FITS, we’re all done with the “Republican” party … and have been for some time.
We think the best way to effect real change in government is to engage the vast untapped electorate via the independent route – i.e. campaigns not bound by the antiquated dogma (and special interest obeisance) of the failed two-party establishment. Seriously – does anyone not think there’s a market out there for candidates who support letting people keep more of their money? And keeping government from slipping its tentacles deeper into their lives?
Of course there is … but “Republicans” and Democrats hold a vice grip over the money and the media driving political debate, meaning every two years we are treated to rhetorical battles between cookie cutter candidates who are far more alike than they are different.
Take the 2014 gubernatorial election, for example …
When it comes to spending, incumbent “Republican” Nikki Haley and her Democratic challenger Vincent Sheheen have disagreed on less than one half of one percent of the state budget over the last four years.
If that’s not arguing at the margins we don’t know what is …
Anyway, for those of you who still believe pro-free market, pro-liberty reform is best effected by working within the confines of the “Republican” party, we have an object lesson from Anderson County, S.C.
There, incumbent liberal Dan Bowen – a “Republican” – was defeated in this week’s partisan primary election by Jonathon Hill, a GOP candidate described by reform-minded lawmakers in the S.C. General Assembly as a “real deal conservative.”
We’ll believe that when we see it, but Hill did beat Bowen decisively …
How’d he do it?
First, he worked his ass off … knocking on more than 4,000 doors in his district. Granted a lot of them were probably slammed in his face (people are kinda turned off to politics these days), but enough of them stayed open long enough for him to make his case.
Which brings us to the second reason Hill won … the case against Bowen …
Yup …
“This is what beat Don Bowen,” one veteran Anderson politico told FITS, referring to a mail piece (above) touting his support of a local option sales tax increase currently making its way through the S.C. General Assembly.
And therein lies the recipe for defeating RINOs … combine a credible and/ or hard-working candidate with a demonstration of the incumbent’s disloyalty to taxpayers.
The success of this formula is even more noteworthy when you consider Anderson County has been sending fiscal liberals to the S.C. House of Representatives for decades.
Voters are ready to “throw the bastards out.” They just need a reason – and a reasonable alternative.
We believe such alternatives are best provided through independent campaigns, but here’s hoping Hill will wind up being a credible pro-free market vote despite the increasingly stigmatized “R” behind his name …
30 comments
“Voters are ready to “throw the bastards out.”” If this were true, then they would have shown up in droves last Tuesday to vote for candidates like Nancy Mace. they didn’t. Get the message Sic Willie.
The myth of the intelligent voter.
There are a few of us out there.
Sadly, the VERY few…
Nancy Mace ran a lame campaign. Thats why no one showed up. If you are going to beat a two term incumbent senator in a state that elected Strom Thurmond and Fritz Hollings for over 40 years you better bring 1. alot of money and 2. the hardest working campaign machine that ever exsisted. Neither of Grahmnesty’s 6 challengers brought either.
A boob shot and I would of stormed the polls.
Problem is: Jonathan Hill is an arrogant prick that thinks he is the end all be all. He will be another one of those bitchy guys in the back that moan and groan all day and never gets anything done.
Jonathan, you do not know everything. You are not the smartest person in the room. So get over it, and possibly make a difference.
Might be, but at least they will be rid of the incumbent, experienced in finding new ways to steal your money. That is the thing the idiots who vote in this state have bleated at least since the 1960’s when trying to justify re-electing some piece of shit from their area. “He’s got experience.” “He knows how to get things done.” “He’s got seniority and can do things for us.”
The experience is in fucking the taxpayer and perhaps finding new ways to curtail liberty, too. How is that a good thing?
Getting things done? Seriously, the less the Legislature or Congress does in most years, the better off we are. The more the bastards do, the more it costs us and the more freedoms we lose.
Seniority? Great, so he knows his way around and how to screw over the citizen and taxpayer while covering his tracks with regard to any bribes or other illegal activities he may be involved in. That’s a real good reason to keep sending him back, isn’t it?
If you keep the incumbents off-balance and out of office, the newbies take a little while to get their bearings. It is harder for them to do as much damage and dirt to us without being caught. That can only be a good thing.
Funny that you would chose a photo of the greatest of all progressives to lead an article on defeating progressive Republicans…
Teddy Roosevelt is possibly the greatest Republican who ever lived. Some would argue Lincoln, but I think they both saved the nation. One from its disintegration, and one from its becoming nothing more than an oligarchy much like modern Russia and not worth saving.
I would disagree that TR qualifies as the greatest Republican – if Republican = conservative. He was a shade too anti business/central control to qualify as a conservative in that regard. National parks, national defense… he’s all over it.
You say to-may-toes, I say to-mah-toes. Make up you mind Sic Willie. Is it Dan or Don?
“…and a reasonable alternative.”
That’s one of the most operative parts of this whole piece.
Let’s set aside the fact that every district is different, thus what works in one may not work in the other. Having said that, this one of the biggest failures of the conservative movement. The shit candidates the “Tea” party offers up are far more dangerous than current incumbents because shit stupid causes unknown and immeasurable harm.
This movement will never be wholesale successful until a couple of things happen: 1) educating the electorate on the founding principals (not taught anymore) 2) recruiting candidate who aren’t simple repeating cliches found on an American flag t-shirt and 3) developing a positive plan that goes beyond “I hate the incumbent” (or anyone else who doesn’t 100% agree with me).
“The shit candidates the “Tea” party offers up are far more dangerous than current incumbents because shit stupid causes unknown and immeasurable harm.”
Yea, because the know and measurable harm are much better.
*known
Sen Graham and Rep Wilson’s primary campaigns were a sham. Neither were held accountable for their record. Both avoided debates. Both avoided their constituents. Both never faced their challenger’s or the public’s scrutiny. They both were well financed yet avoided any public scrutiny. What a way to run a Republic. No More!
We need an Incumbent Accountability Act. Every 18 months after a November election, all incumbents for state wide, federal offices must participate in three debates televised on and sponsored by the Public Broadcasting Service which should be separated from the NEA. Programming should extenuate the Equal Time Rule as previously applied by the FCC.
All private donations and grants can be accepted for the PBS as tax deductions. PBS must be made accessible by apps, radio, TV, and internet live streaming. Debate formats will include questions from moderators, citizens, and by candidates towards incumbents.
Affirmative Sir!!!
WE NEED TERM LIMITS!
I hope Ned Tolar uses similar signs and strategy and soundly defeats tax-and-spend politician Bill Banning in the runoff for LexCo Council. Banning gone will be a blessing on the taxpayers of Lexington County. Next, if we get rid of Debbie Summers and the other spendthrift, Johnny Jeffcoat, the taxpayers of Lexington County might be able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Jonathon Hill looks like the perfect Rep. to sit on the House Higher Education Subcommittee. He is surely to be sympathetic to Colleges and Universities when they ask for budget increases, and especially $100 million to fund the next Hunley, or the next Transportation Research Center, or next Innovista.
http://jonathonhill.com/about/
About Me
“As for college, I was too focused on teaching myself how to build, network, and program computers and websites to attend. I have found my experience, resume, blog, and my job to be a much better return for the last five years than a paper diploma and thousands of dollars of student debt.”
translation: i know it all.
sic(k) willie is setting the stage for T Ravs impo(r)tent comeback.
The reality is the Teabuggers are done.
Remember that “folks.” :)
They still kick up dust and make noise, but the Teabuggers are done.
There are reasons the Teabuggers are done, but that’s a topic for later.
Back to T Rav.
sic(k) willie loves him some T Rav (money) now that Howie the Voucher Clown has slowed his stream of voucher scam money to the sic(k) one.
Talk about impotent! Voice for Voucher Scams. (Ir)responsible Citizens for Voucher Scams. S.C. Voucher Clown Council.
But, again, back to T Rav. Is he out of prison yet? Must be.
Can he vote now? Probably……
What about the Lautenburg Amendment? Ohhh, Sorry.
The Lautenburg thing just applies to CDV convicts. :)
Our Funding Editor is looking forward to T Rav running.
What a joke!
Libertarians and TEA Partiers and Dominionists are the real RINOs.
They love to run their mouths, but when it comes to political parties, they would rather steal someone else’s than build their own under their own names…because deep down they know what freaks they are and that only a handful of other freaks vote for them when they run under their own names.
Question asked, question answered. CURRY !
Richard Cash living in Anderson and turning his folks out like he did is what beat Don Bowen. IMO a vote for Cash was a vote for Hill 8 or 9 times out of 10.
Don Bowen was actively involved with SCAT before being elected to the House. He sure did not legislate as a taxpayer advocate. A fraud like so many other Republican officials.
and so the soli is tilled for the fresh ravenel seedling…
Richard Cash didn’t do well in Anderson County. He got 18.87%. Lindsey got 54%. Hill won, because he worked hard and the people of Bowens district didn’t like Don Bowen. Plain and simple. I know. I live in that house district. I would have voted for anyone that ran against Don. Don’t read to much into this election.
FITS you are RINOS, at your best. And a Liberal at your WORST.
The only time you want to beat a RINO, is if you can replace him/her with a liberal..
Who the F*#k do you think you’re fooling?
Someone really ought to contact PETA and report FITSNews for advocating beating rhinos . . .