FORMER BUSH-ERA LOBBYIST’S SUPPORT OF DONALD TRUMP RAISES QUESTIONS …
Richard Hines – the Washington, D.C. lobbyist whose name has become synonymous with the financing of neo-Confederate causes – has been an interesting figure to track during the current presidential election.
We briefly addressed his machinations in this post, but as the pivotal Palmetto presidential primary draws closer Hines appears to be stepping up his gamesmanship.
A military lobbyist who made big bucks during the administration of George W. Bush, Hines has ben coy about his choice of candidate in the “First in the South” race – leading many to believe he has been playing various presidential campaigns against each other.
Well, this week Hines finally made his public play … ostensibly for Donald Trump.
“Citizens are disgusted that Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Jeb Bush would try to solicit Governor (Nikki) Haley’s endorsements after she disgracefully removed the Confederate Memorial flag at the Statehouse without her constituents” consent.” Hines said in a statement released this week. “The sentiment I’m hearing is: Better an honest Yankee from New York than RNC approved candidates seeking the support of South Carolina traitors.”
Hmmm ….
That’s a pretty strong pro-Trump statement, right?
Sure … on the surface anyway.
It’s also consistent with what we’ve heard from rank-and-file supporters of the Confederate flag – which was removed from the grounds of the S.C. State House earlier this year following the “Holy City Massacre,” the murder of nine black parishioners in Charleston, S.C.
Hines is leading the effort to put the banner back.
Is he really supporting Trump, though? Or is there more to his statement than meets the eye?
We think there is …
Hines went on to say he welcomed Trump to South Carolina – and looked forward to “hearing his remarks” at a town hall meeting in Columbia, S.C.
Interesting …
Even more interesting? Before Hines sent his statement to the press, Trump’s campaign was reportedly peppered with media inquiries seeking more information regarding his position on the Confederate flag.
Smells like a set up to us …
Did Hines leak his statement to reporters beforehand? And if so, what sort of spin did he attempt to put on it?
Was that spin different than what he said in his press release?
For the record, Trump has been 100 percent consistent regarding the Confederate flag. His view? The flag is a state issue … be it in South Carolina or in Mississippi, which is currently grappling with the banner’s presence on its state flag (which appeared prominently during the pre-game festivities at Super Bowl 50).
Obviously Trump’s consistency stands in stark contrast to Haley, who flip-flopped on the flag only after her crony capitalist masters expressed their displeasure with the banner.
Previously she supported it.
Will Hines’ machinations impact the “First in the South” race? Probably not …
He commands a diminished, aging army – and all indications are that his “generals” are ill-equipped to do battle in the modern digital era of issues-based campaigning. Also, the last time we checked the “Rebel” leadership in South Carolina remains badly divided.
Plus, as we pointed out, the vast majority of flag backers we’ve talked with at the grassroots level tell us they are already backing Trump regardless of what Hines says.
40 comments
I saw the picture and I thought it was another story on South Carolina Dept. Public Safety.
i drove by that sillyness taking my mother to lexington to pick up something from a friend, there were more reenactors than the crowd by a long shot, made me feel good that so few give a shit about these play soldiers anymore, and i got to eat in a really good restaurant on that outing, Libby’s on main street, other than the place got really packed and had a line, damn good groceries.
You werent at the hunley procession then . I’ve never seen so many people in my life. Well a charlotte race maybe
the hunley was not a reenaction, that was an important piece of history coming home.
Anyone that thinks the Hunley is an important piece of history has to be a bigot, just like Neighborhood Engineering, right stumpknocker?
The first submarine to ever sink an enemy ship puts it is pretty special company historically.
I don’t disagree, the Hunley deserves it’s rightful place in history.
I believe it belongs at the Smithsonian.
if we can be the proper caretakers of this relic of the civil war, i think it should stay in charleston.
I don’t think the Federal Government should be in the business of Neighborhood Engineering. Does that make me a bigot or do I have to agree with you all the time not to be one?
hell no! you are to the right of me, but i would be proud to shake your hand and would invite you over for a bar b que, i think the federal government should be in the business eliminating neighborhood engineering.
I’ll attempt to stir the pot then.
What BBQ sauce?
Being a true Independent, I like them all! I really do, though I like some better depending on the meat style. Vinegar based is best on pulled or shredded meat IMO. Otherwise it just runs off the surface of the meat.
Would be impressive if it didn’t also sink itself.
That was a real downer. LOL
really ?
You are just a liberal bitch!!! U need to move your ass to a liberal state like let’s say California!
“liberal bitch”…LOL, ya think so. Why’s that?
Because of your liberal stupid comments
Sorry I gave you so much butt hurt but I’ll tell you what I am. I’m a fiscal conservative that believes in strong national defense, strong borders and I don’t give a damn what you do, as long as you pay for it yourself.
I’m from California and I believe taking that flag down as some sort of politically correct reaction to a racist attack probably only made things worse.
It was an intentional move to assert Haley’s authority and ability to take executive action over the will of her constituency, evidenced in a manner that shames part of the population and rekindles anger and suspicion from the other part. She has been allowed to set precedent for more such action as she has demonstrated how weak the population is to her judgment.
Erasing and rewriting history to suit political agenda, typically by shaming modern populations with historical sins, is how the globalist agenda is being pushed in our neighborhoods, nation and world.
Along with mass immigration, the intended result is to dilute any patriotism or nationalism and render America helpless to the whims of the politicians/corporations just like they are doing in Europe.
I understand she “failed” on her “fight” to keep out muslim refugees. She sounds exactly like all the other pretend Republicans in government.
Next, she will fail on protecting gun rights, so we will be as unable to defend ourselves as Europeans.
Trump is the only candidate that is not in on the dem/rep/donor agenda and the only hope to stop it.
well said ……
I’m glad you and many others who attended feel that way
Yes it was, I was there…..
Uh, if it’s a state issue then Trump supports it being down too, because that’s what the state just effing did. The actual confederates were more logical than these lost cause bozos.
Yankee go home.
They went home when you guys surrendered…
No…especially the colored troops…USCTs. As Union forces demobilized, many USCT regiments remained in service. By the fall of 1865, black regiments made up as much as one-third of the Union forces occupying the South. Not surprising that racial relations tanked after the WBTS…
Really? Because I see them all the time, everywhere I go.
The Press release went out last night and this morning – it was sent out- not leaked. i know, i sent it out. Your source is dearly in need of an enema as he is full of… Hines along with a lot of traditional conservative heavy hitters have been talking to Trump for several months – AND half the people at the press conference were under 25 – including a certified computer geek – don’t underestimate the people of Save Southern Heritage
I agree with you Kirk !!!!
When John Rocker spoke against NY the Yankees turned on him. When Yankees, carpetbaggers, scallywags and foreigners trash the South and their flag, memorials and heritage shouldn’t all the South turn on them?
How this turned into a Hunley piece but here we go. First our money strapped state is going to pour another 40 million of our dollars into a bad area for a show piece for the Hunley and the Relic Room. 40 million dollars into the hands of a Randy Burbage, who is being sued as the head of the Confederate Heritage trust for ” mishandling” funds donated by one Richard Hines. This is about as dumb a move but will our state stop it…nope….too many hands to grease. Look isn’t it about time we stop paying for mishandled funds just because some old guys use the word Confederate and our state government says hey take more
If pro flag supporter’s want to be taken seriously, leave reenactment apparel at home. Wear your best church clothes and carry the flag….. Otherwise, you will be viewed as a hobbyist who lives in the past which plays right into their narrative.
nice try.
Don’t bring Civil War Rein-actors into this argument. Anyone who has spent any time with these folks would know that they represent a broad cross section of SC society. From White to Black to Conservative to Liberal even Gay. Talks over camp fires into the night, topped with some whisky; really help bring people together. To see from a safe perspective; the hell that our grandfathers went thru to get where we are today, first hand, is a real “come to Jesus experience.” Participants of all backgrounds learn that we are all one country, one people, one United States of America. All for one, and one for all.
We need to replay and remember history, so that we do not relive it ever again.
Who cares what these traitors think, support America not the Confederacy!
Actually, the Confederacy had the Constitution on their side which allowed for slavery and secession. Jefferson Davis never was tried for for treason because the US Government was afraid it would lose the case because of the Constitution and the fact Davis would have to be tried in Virginia.
The civil war was over more than a 130 years ago….get over it and move forward…people need to stop living in the past.
yankees will never learn . there just visitors down here .pasty white ones .we’re nice to your face but laughin at yalls stupid asses
Kirk Lyons is right don’t underestimate Save Southern Heritage but the real idea should be to remove those seeking to use the passion for heritage to line their pockets. It’s been going on for years and it has got to change. There are so many groups across SC and the South that can not form a cohesive large group powerful enough to affect change, well guys no one worries about them. Egos abound within southern heritage groups. Almost as much as corruption.