The final weeks leading up to an election is called the “silly season.” And the final week of a race? Well, that’s pure insanity.
Nerves are frayed. Tensions are high. Egos have been battered and bruised for months. It’s a very tenuous time … and often all it takes is the slightest provocation to set someone off.
That happened on Wednesday evening in Conway, South Carolina during a forum for the Palmetto State’s three Democratic gubernatorial candidates.
Held at the Horry-Georgetown Technical College, the forum featured Charleston, S.C. businessman Phil Noble and Florence, S.C. attorney Marguerite Willis. The perceived frontrunner in the race, Afghan War veteran and former S.C. minority leader James Smith, had a previous commitment and did not attend. Appearing in his place was his lieutenant gubernatorial pick, state representative Mandy Powers Norrell.
[timed-content-server show=’2018-Jan-17 00:00:00′ hide=’2018-Jun-18 00:00:00′]SPONSORED CONTENT – ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
[/timed-content-server]Anyway, things became exceedingly contentious during the forum. At one point, Noble angrily confronted Willis over her alleged mischaracterization of his Orwellian social welfare proposals.
What do those proposals entail? In what he describes as a way to provide government welfare services more efficiently to those who need them, Noble wants to register mothers and track their children – starting before they are born. This way the government will be able to tell if they are skipping vaccinations – or if parents aren’t taking advantage of certain government subsidies for child care and other needs.
Scary, right? Absolutely … not to mention an invitation to a massive escalation of the welfare state.
Noble apparently doesn’t like Willis referring to his program as a way to “track fetuses.” And he attempted to clarify that point during Wednesday evening’s debate.
“The phrases and words that I use – I never used the word ‘track a fetus,’ or ‘register a fetus,'” Noble said.
“I didn’t say fetus, Phil,” Willis shot back.
“Excuse me, excuse me, you DID say fetus,” Noble responded, becoming increasingly agitated. “You said fetus, goddamn … ”
Noble stopped himself before he could finish saying “goddamnit,” but his irate finger-pointing at Willis continued.
“I did not say we are going to register fetuses,” he yelled. “Marguerite tell the truth!”
“I am telling the truth,” Willis retorted.
As the video below depicts, Norrell actually has to move her chair back in order to avoid getting poked in the face by Noble during his moment of peak gesticulation.
Take a look …
(Click to view)
(Via:FITSNews)
Oy …
In Noble’s defense, Willis did in fact use the term “track a fetus.” Which is probably why he got so upset.
But still … come on, man.
Let instant replay do its job …
We have always liked Noble. He is slightly to the left of a lefthand turn (not unlike Willis), but we’ve always viewed him as a substantive voice in the marketplace of ideas … even if his policies would take the Palmetto State’s current “More Money, More Problems” approach to government and, well, double it.
Which would be bad …
But we would humbly submit Noble needs to get a tighter grip on his horses … and fast.
Ever since Jesus Christ busted up into the temple and started overturning the tables of the moneychangers, people have appreciated authentic, righteous indignation … but they do not appreciate profane, petty pique. We had to learn the difference in our approach to the political game, and it seems clear to us Noble still has a lot to learn on that front.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our stories? Please feel free to submit your own guest column or letter to the editor via-email HERE. Got a tip for us? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE. Want to support what we’re doing? SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Banner: Facebook