CURTIS LOFTIS, MAYBE?
At this point it seems highly likely that S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley will face at least one serious challenge from the right during the 2014 election season. Hell, she may face an independent conservative candidate in the general election that year in addition to a well-funded GOP primary challenge.
Why? Because Haley is in an incredibly weak position politically – earning the approval of only six out of ten registered voters in her own party, according to the latest polling data. Those are terrible numbers for an incumbent halfway through her first term, people.
Accordingly, some are speculating that Haley might try to improve her dismal electoral prospects by naming one of her potential gubernatorial rivals to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jim DeMint. Among those potential rivals? S.C. Treasurer Curtis Loftis, State Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Davis has said he’s not interested in the appointment – and has thrown his support behind Mulvaney. Meanwhile Wilson is general seen as having set his sights on Washington, D.C. – not the governor’s office.
As for Loftis – he has made no bones of his contempt for Haley. In fact he’s already on the record saying he’ll run against her in 2014 if no one credible steps up to the plate to do it.
Where Haley has stumbled during her first term, Loftis has shone. And where Haley has joined forces with the state’s status quo – Loftis has aggressively challenged it (most notably in his war against the state’s corrupt, inefficient pension fund).
Grassroots Tea Partiers have also been pushing Loftis to run for Senate for some time – meaning Haley might be able to knock off a potential opponent and pick up some points on her right flank at the same time.
Again … we don’t see any scenario unfolding in which Haley names a true fiscal conservative to this position. But were she to do so, choosing Loftis would be a political masterstroke.
***
41 comments
Notice the hug is not a “pelvis out” type.
:)
Why couldn’t Jeff Duncan be a walk on senator?
I told you this 3 minutes after Demint announced his resignation, yesterday…
Haley could get him off her back…because he’d beat her in a Primary…and we get a bona-fide Conservative in the US Senate seat…
FITS should heed my analysis more…and he’d look a lot smarter…
Damn right about that. And he ain’t the kind to hang out in DC forever. He is perfect choice for her.
FITS should heed my analysis more…and he’d look a lot smarter…
Yeah, like your analysis that Michelle Bachman, Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum and about six other mofo’s would be the GOP nominee.
Add in Cain. And don’t forget Romney, vicupstate. General election only of course.
Big T was as accurate as Karl Rove, Dick Morris, and Scott Rasmussen.
Word is that Big T is the dickhead who wrote the headline: “Dewey Defeats Truman.”
I’m available.
“DeMint started the recession, DeMint is responsible for the recession…” -Alvin Greene
LMAO @ Smirk’s quote. Nice one.
Hey FITS Fiscal Conservative = Moderate (who is ashamed of what he is)….
She’d commit political suicide to put a moderate in place of DeMint. She might better make sure DeMint (me) signs off on the appointee…because she’d DONE if she were to put a Tom Davis-like in that seat…
She needs to go Right…or it’s a major blunder…
I can’t see anyone in state that will be a serious primary to Haley but Loftis. Big names will never challenge her. Little names can’t win. LOFTIS will write that primary check. The money she spend to oppose him, even if she wins, will be money she does not have for the general election.Loftis is what stands between her and 4 more years in the Mansion.
Loftis would be better in his current seat, and eventually, as governor.
+10
+10 x 2
The Treasurer loves public service. He hates politics. I bet he would see 2 years in DC as a times to “bust up” the mess and not make a career. It is perfect for him but maybe not for Haley. In the time of the completely manufactured “fiscal cliff ” someone bent on shinning the light on the issues but not drawing a paycheck could be a valuable thing!
The Good News: Haley is as ANTI-OBAMA as she can be..because being on the opposite side of all his failures is good politics…
And she knows that she must go RIGHT, so she will give us a US Senator who is as ANTI-Obama as she is…
In this Miserable period in American history, there are silver linings…and a state that does well by being non-Obama is something to be Thankful for as we move toward Christ’s birthday…
Anti-Obama, anti-government, till she needs money, then she sticks her hand out when reality sets in.
They all quit on their Tea Bag b.s. when they need money.
Quit is the key word…like your boy DeMint. Q-U-I-T-T-E-R.
CurtisLoftis would be her smart move but she will go for greed. Someone like Ryberg or Wilkens or Mcmaster will promise to raise her big money and that is what she will want.
If Haley puts a self-called fiscally (ONLY) Conservative (like Davis or McMaster) -Moderate) in the seat….She’s Cooked…
This may the biggest decision she’ll make as Gov.
But putting Loftis in any position of public trust is a stupid move. He is NOT focused on shrinking government & expanding the freedoms & liberty of all South Carolinians. Curtis Loftis is focused on aggrandizing himself and nothing more.
Can you imagine the scene when Loftis gets after Harry Reid? Damn, that would be like Cops, the Kardishans and the Housewives of Atlanta all at once and with a little Natioanl Wrestling Federaltion thrown in to boot!
1) thumb wrestling – winner: Loftis
2) ass kissing – winner: Reid
Yes, I could imagine it. I can imagine a wily Senate vet like Reid spanking his (Loftis) ass for a couple of years while he learns which elevator to take or which corridor leads to the Senate Chamber.
In a perfect world someone like Loftis would be appointed but we must remember that this is politics. Deals will be cut and the better the person, like a Loftis , the less likely they are to be back room dealers. The politicos hate that as they lose control but the citizens love that because that is their only hope of meaningful reform.
Haley is at a turning point. She is either going to be a one termer or she could excel and become a REAL force in the conservative movement. She has talent and ability but what she lacks is gravitas. A proper selection now at this time in her service could show the people of this state that she is a serious person.
That’s one of the most excellent posts, I’ve seen on this site…It’s right on…
Kinda telling when a poster is far more talented and prescient than the “Founder.”
Agreed.
Some see the world through politics. Some see it through selfless service. Haley has a chance to do something good or to be a hack.
Excellent post
I going with one termer in Haley’s case.
This gives the term”idle speculation” new meaning!
Of course it’s not going to happen.
Chad Morris interviewed for the job today
That you, Dabo?
I think she will name a woman and it will be Jenny Sanford. She’s smarter than her ex and she’s also got the money.
Awesome idea. Need more women in the Senate.
Please, dear Lord, spare us from Jenny Sanford.
She could not have less in common with the average South Carolinian than the woman on the moon.
I am not the blind Loftis loyalist that many people seem to be, but he has done enough good for the state’s citizens for me to believe he needs to continue in what he has begun.
Why are we so anxious to see these people feed their egos by seeking higher office rather than stay in a job that it looks like they do fairly well?
After all, Loftis has 2 years of statewide elected office. He is still learning the job he has now. There is something wrong with US when we want a total unknown to be in the country’s highest offices.
By your standard who is a “known”? Loftis is a statewide officer and well respected. Virtually all those listed are on “less than” Loftis on that scale. Tim Scott and others have never been elected state wide. Most names being mentioned are just that, names, and are go-along politicians.
I would take a Loftis over those hand-shakers any day. there may someone better than Loftis, but not many. And for my money I want a reformer and not a self promoting politician.
Curtis for Governor!
Alan Wilson?? This would be the worst decision she could make. he’s not a viable threat to her for GUV and he can have his sights set on DC all he wants but after Joe we’re done with the Wilson idiots.
I’m a democrat and I could support Loftis.
Me too. Character matters more than party
I was at a neighbor restaurant and Loftis was there. I know him from school and from seeing him around town and a bunch of us ended up taking over part of the restaurant He was quiet at first but people kept asking him questions about Demint and Investment Commission and government and I must say I was shocked at how easily he responded to the most difficult of questions. Several in the group are very knowledgeable and asked very specfic questions and he gave very specific answers. When he talked about public service and how poorly the people are being served he was eloquent . I mean he brought tears to my wife’s eyes.
I don’t like politics much and though I write campaign checks I don’t even always vote as mostly I disgusted by it all but I promise you I will always vote for him. He ain’t perfect but he is the only politician I would trust with my wallet.
I am rolling on the floor laughing at this suggestion. Does SC need another GAY senator? Loftis will never be anything but a marginal treasurer.