STATE LAWMAKER SAYS HE’S HIGH ON NIKKI HALEY’S LIST TO REPLACE JIM DEMINT
S.C. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-York) has called several members of his local legislative delegation and informed them that they need to find someone to fill his seat in the S.C. House of Representatives.
Why? Because according to Norman, he is S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s “first choice” to replace U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint – who is giving up his seat to run a Washington, D.C. think tank. Norman’s colleagues would only confirm that he is “on (the) short list” to fill DeMint’s seat, telling FITS that he was summoned to a meeting with Haley on Friday to discuss the position.
“She wants (Ralph),” one of Norman’s colleagues told FITS, but added that there was “much pressure” on Haley to select U.S. Rep. Tim Scott, who is a favorite of national Republicans (and who is aggressively campaigning for the seat).
Norman told reporter Andy Shain of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper that he had not discussed the position with Haley, however he did tell Shain that he was “interested” in the seat. During a radio interview in Lancaster, S.C. on Saturday morning, Norman acknowledged that he had interviewed for the position with former Haley chief of staff Tim Pearson.
Also on Haley’s short list? Former S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, who is being considered as a “caretaker” for the seat – i.e. someone who would agree not to run for the seat in two years when South Carolina voters select someone to fill the remainder of DeMint’s term (which expires in 2016). In fact one website – PJ Media – is reporting that Haley is “almost certain” to appoint McMaster and that the governor has ” already informed key South Carolina politicians of her decision.”
Norman is very close to Haley. In fact he was the only member of the S.C. General Assembly who voted with her on the “Savannah River Sellout,” in which Haley’s administration approved a taxpayer-funded port in Georgia at the expense of a private sector port in Jasper County, S.C.
He was also recently dispatched by Haley to go after one of her critics on the port deal – reportedly in exchange for Haley’s support of his lieutenant gubernatorial bid.
Elected to the S.C. House in 2004, Norman served one term in Columbia, S.C. before attempting a bid for the U.S. House (against John Spratt). He was trounced by Spratt, but wound up reclaiming his State House seat in 2009. In 2010, he ran unsuccessfully for Speaker of the House against fiscal liberal Bobby Harrell (RINO-Charleston).
This website has endorsed Norman twice – and he’s generally been a rock solid conservative vote. However his servile allegiance to Haley on the “Savannah River Sellout” vote was depressing – and put him squarely on the wrong side of the biggest free market issue to hit the Palmetto State in years.
Still, he gets high marks from his colleagues – on both sides of the aisle.
“He is the most conservative member of the House,” S.C. Rep. Bakari Sellers (D-Bamberg) said. “(He) stands by his convictions and has character.”
***
72 comments
If selected Norman will get to be a Senator for two years
Scott will beat him like a wet paper bag in 2014
Someone hopefully will beat Joe Wilson like a wet paper bag in 2014. Enough of the idiots.
FITS is a lot like Cindy Ross Scoppe at The State newspaper…They SO DESPERETLY Want the political power Haley has…and in their minds, they are superior and deserving…
But most people see you as silly wanna-bes, who could NEVER earn the power, and you’d both would be poor, character-lacking leaders if you had it…
PS: The State wants Tim Scott…that ALONE is reason enough not to pick him…
Not to mention – if he is a real conservative – he would not take it…no matter what FITS is claiming about him campaigning for it…
I don’t think Rep. Scott is a party to the hand-out, Racist mentality that FITS, The State and the democrats espouse….
I’d be disappointed in Scott if he wants it handed to him….
I have NO idea what any of that means.
Big T. You are clearly too smart for me. Course half the insiders in Columbia think you ARE me .. which is funny.
Nonetheless, always a treat to read the wanderings of your brain …
It occurred to me that BigT comments on articles before he reads them – he only reads the headline before he hits the keyboard!
Imagine, if you will, that you wake up one morning to find that you are in a world where the most intelligent human alive is BigT.
youtube.com/watch?v=-b5aW08ivHU
Well, at least T is more intelligent than that crooked cabal that inhabits Lexington city hall. T is more intelligent than Mayor Halfass, Leggett Tyndall Livingston, McDougall and Stumblebuttitis combined. Livingston should be investigated for directing Beautification Foundation funds to Halfwits chamber building. Justice will catch up with all the Lexington crooks.
@ Sic
I have been accused being you in the comment section more than anyone else.
Thank god I have not been accused of being Big T. That would probably push me into suicide.
edit: of being you
She’ll pick some idiot, don’t worry about it.
Smirks,
Your scenario does not work for me, unless I can wake up dead.
How about that EEEckstromesque Peeler! She has picked so many screw ups, this could be her greatest yet!
I’m certain that I’m showing my political naiveté with this question, but if DeMint has said that Scott would be his preference, why wouldn’t Haley just simply appoint HIM? DeMint has earned that level of respect, hasn’t he?
Okay, that’s two questions. The first one is the one that I’d like an answer to.
FITS, tell those insiders that, unless you have been using this BigT schtick (he used to go by “big t” without caps) since 1999 on the allsportstalk forums, then you are not T.
Big T trolled the Clemson posters on that board so bad that 70% of that board (Gamecock and Tiger fans alike) seceded and formed a new board. It was a good board while it lasted.
The best way to deal with T is to ignore him.
From an earlier FITS piece on Norman…
“Hence Haley’s need for Norman’s services … which he reportedly bartered in exchange for the governor’s support for his lieutenant gubernatorial aspirations in 2014. How cozy, right?”
I believe the word to describe Ralph Norman is “lapdog”…
Stay classy, SC! Only the best and brightest, right?
The best and brightest? None of them presently hold public office. Why are only elected hacks being considered? DeMint went from being a small businessman to the Senate.
OK, Hahaha!, why? I’ve got no dog in this fight; but still, knowing a little about Norman and little-to-nothing about Scott, please, tell me why Scott is going to “beat him like a wet paper bag in 2014″….
Let’s see
Norman is a nobody and as someone said a lapdog for Haley.
Outside of his area he isn’t well known
Scott will far OUTRAISE him moneywise and will have the full support of the Republican Party nationally
Republicans will be in full outreach mode eager to show how open they are to minorities
These nobody appointees usually don’t win after their freebie year or two
Just a few reasons
So let me get this straight. Instead of a history making pick like Scott, Haley is going to pick a rich, white real estate developer who failed miserably the one time he tried to run for an office any bigger than his state house seat? Wow. I’m glad they leve this stuff to the political professionals. You guys are too smart for me.
Don’t sell yourself short, Biggie. I think you have it figured out.
Could be worse. Imagine the outrage if it was one of the Wilson idiots.
It’s hard to imagine that the shameless self-promoter Joe Wilson is not besieging Nikki with suggestions and requests to be named senator.
He’d have to ask his wife for permission first.
Even Haley has the sense not to appoint Joe Wilson. He is invisible in the House, an intellectual midget and even a republicans in his district are tired of him. His wife is an embarrassment and his staff is the worst of all the congressional delegation. No reason to promote this Bozo.
Look up the definition of Asshole and it reads “Joe Wilson.”.
Keychain Joe Wilson for Senate?? Please…..That would be the stupidest decision Haley could ever make? We have so many talented and smart citizens and that Wilson is even remotely being mentioned is hilarious. Wilson is the scum at the bottom of the shitpile. If he wants to create jobs, and in that regard he has done nothing, he should retire in 2014 so voters don’t have to fire his slimy swarmy little ass.
Haley knows Joe and the other idiot Wilson’s are no threat to her and nobody cares what they think.
Joe or Alan Wilson?? LOL! Those two idiots together couldn’t find their way out of a bag.
Met Mr. Wilson at the parade last week. He had no eye contact, limp handshake and looking over my shoulder for someone more important. I won’t be voting for him or any of his kin. It’s amazing this guy got elected in the first place.
Isn’t Joe Wilson the guy who wanted the entire nation to watch him on TV (for 15 minutes of fame) by yelling “Liar!” during the president’s State of the Union address? Regardless of his opinion concerning the president, his outburst was extraordinarily rude.
In grammar school I presume he broke windows and lightbulbs for attention at that age.
What did he do during his college years?
The guy is a leech. Sucks onto someone else’s issues or sits back and watches public opinion before doing anything. He will cave in and flip flop when the wind changes direction. He has done nothing in Congress except be a “me too” vote. His “joe means jobs” slogan is so disingenuous I have to throw up when I hear it. Some of the local business people can attest he’s just a windbag. Given his outburst he will get NOTHING from the administration and doesn’t have the clout or sense to deal with his colleagues for benefits for his District. He is a liability and embarrassment who has to get turned away in 2014. There are a lot of qualified people in Aiken, Lexington and Richland counties who can do a better job than Joe Wilson.
So, SC Governot Nikki Haley wants to appoint me to fill Demint’s remaining term?
Well, I promise that I will act like an adult in the Senate since the art of compromise is a trait of adults and I won’t say “No!” or act like a spoiled brat anytime I don’t get my way.
Oh, Governot Haley is talking about the other Ralph.
Never mind,
Ralph
David Wilkins is also campaigning for it, sort of a Greenville quota kinf of thing. Also, don’t forget, Naley’s new COS is and has been a McMaster top Lt., in Bryan Stirlimg. And you know the Quinn’s are working hard for Henry Mac. I back Henry Mac! We could much worse and I hope he’d run for the seat in 2014 too.
Ralph is someone who she would pick. He is a caveman conservative who isn’t smart and doesn’t think. he just does what he is told no matter how stupid. He questions nothing about Haley though, merely acting the role of MONGO.
That’s why I think she’ll pick her hubby. As an added perk: lots of strip clubs in DC.
Haley will pick Ralph Norman to send a message to the rest of the SC elected critters, which is, “See? Ralph was the only one who backed me on the port vote, and now he gets to be a US Senator. Think about what you could get if you back me, too!”
And the worst part of this sort of political payola is that it’s legal…
Spratt beat him like a wet drum when he ran against him, what, 2006?
If he had waited for 2008, he might have had a chance, in a presidential election year, downticket drainage might have helped.
But 2006? Nah.
For those who don’t know, Rob Godfrey was a big component of Norman’s campaign. So we have Ralph to thank for the “Mouth that Roared” without saying anything.
Tom Rice
Ralph Norman is a perfectly good choice. Experienced, good track record, a known quantity, no extra baggage or surprises (sex, finances, booze, etc.). Tim Scott is relatively untested. And as many have noticed, he’s trying too much to nail this position, making me very suspicious. Everyone I talk with is commenting on Scott’s “Washington fever” — like he’s got a fever, too hot, carried away with himself. My second choice would be McMaster, who is similarly known statewide and carries no surprises.
Picking Scott keeps Haley in the good graces of the National and many SC Republicans. Anyone else drives a final nail in Haley’s political coffin nationally and in SC. She has a chance to make history in a very good way and my gut tells me she will blow it!
Mulvaney would be her best option. He’s not from the Lowcountry power base. He’s well-liked among Republicans, both in SC and nationally. He’s a fiscal conservative. After redistricting, there’s very little chance of losing his seat. She could even back Norman for the House, allowing her to pay him back. It would probably result in an overall bump in her approval rating. She just has to get over any lingering animosity from the SC House.
Ralph has no business wanting or taking the most conservative liberty minded seat in the US Senate. He also voted for the largest budget in our states history, voted for tax incentives for green energy and a slew of other bad votes. Is he willing to stop bad legislation or grill the Federal Reserve Chairman? I think not! The only one that truly qualifies is Mulvaney since Davis is out… Ralph is Nikki’s lap dog. Yes I know, It’s up to Governor but Ralph needs to bow out Now.
A McMaster pick would be a joke. He’s not conservative and he’s the epitome of a good ole boy.
Treasurer Loftis spoke to our club today and I think it was unanimous that we wanted him to be the next Senator. He would not even discuss it saying he would 1. not get the call and 2. would not make the deals needed to secure an appointment.
He was great.
I was also present at this meeting yesterday, and there was no poll taken. However Treasurer Loftis was well received as always. I do share Curtis’ opinion that he will not get the call for a senate appointment due to the “deals that would have to be made”.
Curtis is, frankly, too honest and clean a man to grub on the ground for this job. He doesn’t need to demean himself for it, and should not. He’s built his own political reputation with very little help, including driving around the entire state in that funny “hotdog automobile.” Curtis should keep his powder dry and run for another office when it is convenient for him, not when it is convenient for others. I believe he has committed himself to two terms maximum as State Treasurer.
Curtis is one of the few honest characters in state government that I trust. The rest — freaks and hairies, dykes and fairies — can be bought by the pound, but not Curtis.
Thanks Ozzie,
I totally agree! Y’all have a great week!
Ralph, now be a good boy. Do as you are told. Pave the way in DC for your momma Nikki. Remember, there is only one thing in the world mamma wants and that is personal advancement. Screw the people, the Tea Party, anyone of anything that gets in momma’s way.
Lie like a dog, cheat, steal, posture, sell your soul, the peoples assets and your mother if you have to. But make sure you make Momma Nikki happy.
She has a chance to change the leadership in the SC Senate. It would take courage, but she is the Governor. I would try to patch up relations with Charleston, pick McConnell for the US Senate, move Courson into LT Gov, gate Peeler in as Pro Temp, and work with Speaker Harrel to get this fucking state moving again. Anything less is a disappointment. Mitch McConnell needs a brain from SC. He filibustered his own proposal the other day, for Pete’s sake.
As for Big T. Look, some of us out here have reacted to a headline and posted. No big deal. Some of us are in a hurry too, trying to quickly post, get our ideas down, no time to proof read.
For shits and grins, appoint Jean Toal.
BTW, if the webmaster around here would adopt a sign in system where one could actually go back and edit their own posts, he/she could also sell the email’s to marketing list types.
McConnell has the queer problem. Harrell has the ethics problem. The comments by “Mike” about Mulvaney and Norman are very thoughtful.
I know. We need some gravitas from this appointment. Back slapping will not be tolerated the next election. Scott is not a good choice either. GRAVITAS IS NEEDED
You’re looking for “gravitas” in the SC Republican Party?
Nikki ooooo (What great sex was THAT! Whew! I got that tingling sensation!!)
Seriously, VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY, Governor Haley should appoint her mother to the U.S. Senate.
Apparently, Mrs. Raj Randhawa is a trained lawyer (or barrister) who had qualified to be a judge in India.
First generation immigrants, not only make a courageous and diligent decision to immigrate, but also know that they will live below their intellectual and financial stations in their new land.
For that alone, Mrs. Raj Randhawa should be rewarded. But there are other reasons. South Carolina has no female in its congressional delegation. And the U.S. Senate has no and never had Indian Americans yet. Alaska’s governor appointed his daughter, Lisa. Why should South Carolina’s governor not appoint her mother?
India is so important now that President Obama’s first state dinner in his first term was to host India’s prime minister.
And whom should a well-brought-up lady trust more than her own mother.
For one thing, the Randhawas, by staying in America, have shown more faith in America and more perseverance and discipline than that false hero Jim DeMint.
What is so great about Jim DeMint anyway?
Did he turn back abortions? NO.
What happened to gay marriage under his watch? It risks becoming the law of the land.
Remember, he claims to be a social conservative and a fiscal conservative.
O.K. Let’s turn to his false claim of fiscal conservative. What taxes did he stop? None that I know of.
In fact, he is STILL the sitting junior sitting Senator from South Carolina. Under his watch, the most possible regressive tax (meaning it affects the poorest people most disproportionately) was apparently fraudulently passed by elections that by all indications broke the law.
What did he do about that? NOTHING. Did he ask the U.S. Justice Department to investigate? Did he hold his own congressional hearings about voting irregularities in his own state?
As fas as I can tell, Jim DeMint is one of those people who think God should worship him and be his personal banker.
Governor Haley, the 38% who think you are doing a good job see your own work. You owe it to your mother. Appoint her. We do not need another DeMint. We need someone the very opposite of DeMint. Someone who works quietly and selflessly. Someone like your mother.
Also do it for that poor Indian nurse who committed suicide after she was cruelly hoaxed. I did not know she was Indian.
But here is the fate of us, first generation immigrants. We do the work but get scape-goated.
Please appoint you mother and let her show us a new inclusive party and an new South Carolina.
Thanks and God bless.
Shit, please…She’s hired enough of her family already….here you go again with your “Indian/Woman bullshit. High hubris, indeed.
Haley is dumb enough to do this. Upside is It would sink any chance for reelection. Another upside is it isnt one of the elected hacks being discussed. She needs to appoint a business person since so much of the federal agenda is going to fuck small and large businesses.
Good idea considering a businessperson. Agree that the federal debate goes to the affect of the Obama agenda on businesses, jobs, and economic development which Nikki holds so dear.
I hope this is Balsak posting in drag. If not, this has to be the most ridiculous thing ever written on this site that I have not personally authored…
Earlier I referred to Ralph Norman as Haley’s “lapdog”. Upon further review, I realize this is an insult to lapdogs. I hereby chnage his designation to Haley’s “toady”…
It’s also an insult to toadies……….we have experience with toadies in Lexington County and the town. Lexington town staff are all toadies as is the county administrator.
OK, by now readers have seen I suggested Glenn McConnell from Lt Gov to US Senate. The standard responses I received was that he is homosexual.. But one other person wrote that he has Aids/Hiv, that he needed to be Lt Gov because he does not have the energy to be Pro Tempore anymore.
Are we to believe that the whole circus of dragging Lt Gov Ard from having been cleared of violations and paid his fines to a plan to bring his name up again, remove him from office so Glenn can be Lt Gov?
Who made the clarion calls from Ard’s removal? Who benefited the most from Ard’s removal? How much did the SC Atty General know? Was he complicit in this scheme? Was Dick Harpootlian in on it? Glenn? Courson?
What we have here is a conspiracy involving licensed lawyers, elected politicians, and the Attorney General of South Carolina to remove an elected official to make way for another elected official?
Of course Wilson is in the thick of the shit. He’s just Jakie’s boy just like daddy Joe. Both of the Wilson’s together don’t have the common sense of my dog.
Any state senator will tell you McConnell is in ill health. Privately – not “on the record.” He’s not simply “getting on in age” — he’s “not well.” He was bit by a tick last year and went to the hospital for that (nearly died, widely reported in the newspapers), but it’s also known by locals that he’s got AIDS, which complicated the tick-bite.
Ok, so they powers that be decided to resurrect the Ard ethics case, reopen the investigation, run him out to make room for a McConnell Lt Gov which would put Courson as Pro temp? Is this what they did? YES
Winning The Future
Did McConnell catch the AIDS or did the AIDS catch McConnell?
My money is on the AIDS succumbing.
McConnell has had several discrete relationships with other gay men during his life but a few of them got public — not widely public but public nonetheless.
He got some of them high-paying jobs or appointments in state government (that he can take away if they talk). As long as he’s in state government, he’s got control over them. In Charleston they call him the gay blade, like the movie.
Jeff Duncan is the most conservative of the SC delegation. He would be a great Senator. I think she should pick him. He would vote very similar to DeMint.
Sorry for the “re-run” – trying to get an answer:
____
I’m certain that I’m showing my political naiveté with this question, but if DeMint has said that Scott would be his preference, why wouldn’t Haley just simply appoint HIM? DeMint has earned that level of respect, hasn’t he?
Okay, that’s two questions. The first one is the one that I’d like an answer to.
This new appointment ensures that there will be a lively primary fight for this senate seat in 2014 and probably a strong challenge to Lindsey Graham in 2014 as well. This means lots of legislators and congressmen will be giving up safe seats to run and open up the door to new blood for their current jobs. This is a very positive development for a stale and dying GOP.
this thread, about McConnell, is obviously by the same person posting over and over. It is sickening, and evil and the person saying such things needs to stop and examine their life as it is obviously shit.
Only a terrible and evil person would advance such gossip as fact.
I have personally brought issues to Joe’s staff and I can say that, without a doubt, they are far better and more of a well oiled machine than my staff ever would have been if I had been elected to congress! Professionals all.
Alex Morris especially gets a gold star in my book! He is a tireless worker and would have been the first I poached from Joe if I had been elected. Give Alex a call this week if you have any military issues! He will set things right by God!