REALTY STAR’S “BULLWORTH” CANDIDACY COULD SHAKE UP SOUTH CAROLINA RACES
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
So crooned Freddie Mercury in Queen’s 1975 hit “Bohemian Rhapsody …” and so muse South Carolina politicos today.
Thomas Ravenel – a reality television star with millions of dollars in the bank and very little in the way of a care (or a filter) – is seriously considering running as an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 2014 in the event liberal incumbent Lindsey Graham becomes the GOP nominee.
“If Lindsey wins the nomination, I will probably throw my hat into the ring,” Ravenel told reporter Schuyler Kropf of The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier.
Wow …
Political scientists were quick to downplay Ravenel’s prospects … while others wondered aloud whether his statement was contrived as part of the drama associated with his new reality television show, Southern Charm.
No one seems to know for sure … but the guessing game surrounding his prospective candidacy has the state’s power brokers buzzing.
“T-Rav” is a wealthy playboy, of that there is no doubt. And if there were a doubt, the first episode of Southern Charm – which airs on Monday nights at 10:00 p.m. on Bravo – put it resoundingly to rest.
But while Ravenel may be made of money (and full of ideas on how to enjoy his largesse), he’s a staunch ideological opponent of bailouts for himself and his wealthy buddies – railing against corporate welfare and crony capitalism while advocating across-the-board tax relief for all income earners.
He’s also been outspoken of late in support of individual liberty … while decrying the failure of the two-party system to protect either liberties or tax dollars.
All of the above represent winning messages against Democrats AND “Republicans ..”
But is Ravenel seriously considering a bid?
For supporters of Graham, that’s the $7 million question (we’re referring of course to the incumbent’s special interest fed campaign account). Assuming the “neoconservative” warmongering fiscal liberal survives a GOP primary on June 10 and runoff shortly thereafter – which is no guarantee – could he fend off both Ravenel AND a Democratic challenger in the general election in November?
Graham is only drawing 45 percent support amongst Republicans, according to the latest Winthrop University poll. That’s not an especially strong position from which to start running the electoral gauntlet ahead of him.
Not surprisingly, Democrats are ebullient at the thought Ravenel might wade into the 2014 U.S. Senate race as an independent – not necessarily because they want to see Graham lose (Democrats LOVE Graham, remember?) but because they believe his presence in the race could fundamentally alter the demographics of the election.
“He’ll get votes,” one Democratic operative told us. “That’s for sure.”
Another veteran Democratic consultant agreed with that assessment, adding that Ravenel would “receive support from constituencies that otherwise wouldn’t turn out (to vote).”
“Libertarians, college kids, disaffected white males … and more than a few ladies,” the consultant added.
That’s potentially very bad news for Republicans …
Ravenel faces major hurdles, clearly. His 2007 arrest and conviction on federal drug charges still looms large – although rather than apologize for his crime (he did apologize for bad judgment), Ravenel has made the government’s failed “War on Drugs” his enemy.
Still, there will be a sizable contingent of voters (especially in the socially conservative Upstate region of South Carolina) who will never cast a ballot for him based on that “indiscretion” alone …
But with potentially millions of dollars to pour into the race, Ravenel has a rare ability to define – and defend – himself via paid media.
And as his prior statewide campaigns have shown, he’s an incredibly effective messenger …
44 comments
Christ, does Bravo pay you or something? Am I the only one tired of this disgraced coke fiend politician turned trashy “reality” TV star constantly being brought up? He is completely irrelevant no matter how much you or anyone else think otherwise.
Will is Ravenel’s political adviser……he’s earning his pay. Walk on in” Charleston Idiots on Parade” was first payment……Stay tuned to Fits News for lots more “T”.
If Will’s getting paid to fluff him that would at least explain the school-girl level of admiration we often see on this blog.
Agreed. I am still sticking with my original (admittedly bifurcated) assessment, though. Ravenel’s primary maladies are, of course, hubris, narcissism, and ego on a grand scale, but they are compounded by a stunning lack of self-awareness for a grown man. Will, on the other hand, seems fairly self aware and cognizant of his hero’s shortcomings, which he references (sideways) here and there. I take that to mean that Will is just playing the game. He knows Ravenel’s days of any kind of serious influence on SC politics (other than financial) are over.
Will has a serious man crush on him — one that apparently motivates him to show his affection often on this blog. Makes you wonder about a person who looks up to T-Rav of all people, but I digress …
I don’t get it either.
Reminds me of Will’s man crush on Thad Viers. We all know how that turned out.
TBG suspects that “back in the day” T-Rav was a blast to party with.
Apparently he could make it snow.
One would think that a felon would not be a candidate for any political office. If T-Rav was poor and black he would still be doing time in the pokey. Yes, let’s make SC even MORE of a laughing stock of inbreds.
Not the least of which, he is the moral equivilent of Bill Clinton. Word is he has knocked up that little Kathryn Dennis girl. No Morals, No Ethics, basicly a child predator!
The GOP needs more like Ravenel, Eckstrom, Haley, Sanford and the Peelers, Viers, and about 90% more in elected office.
That is an interesting questions, are there no limits on felons holding public office in SC. In most states the GOP thinks felons should not even be allowed to vote, much less hold office.
Of course we should not prevent them from owning a hand gun.
Last week,I wrote that Fits was obsessed with Ravenel.Now, I’m beginning to believe he is being paid by someone for this performance.
As to T Ravs effect upon the election?If the Democrats had a decent candidate ,which they apparently dont, then he/she could garner between 45-47% of the vote(Sheheen got 47% against Nikki in 2010).if Ravenel could win 8-10 %,then the Democrat would stand a chance.
Highly unlikely though as the presumed Democrat ,Stamper, will be lucky to get 40%.Accordingly T Ravs run against Graham is an exercise in futility.
Stamper won’t be the nominee.
Well there you have it. This is how it gets done. An awful incumbent is challenged by someone as flawed in their life dealings as the incumbent. The voters are equally unimpressed by the posturing and antics of the opposing party candidate. It’s a lose-lose for SC.
A blogger on another site, Chump In the Sand, stated that the word integrity comes from the word “integration.” Therefore, one can not compartmentalize integrity. Meaning, one can not compartmentalize the integrity (or lack thereof) you have in one part of your life (personal) from another (professional.) It is all of a piece.
I will gladly vote for T Rav instead of Lindsey.
You left out coke head and felon among his other “attributes”. So in Sic Willie’s megalomaniac brain, he touts Mace to skewer Graham and force a runoff that Graham will win but he will be bloodied. Then comes Sic Willie bff T-Rav riding the libertarian horse to victory as an independent. This scenario is as realistic as the existence of Sic Willie’s book on his affair with Haley.
If SC will vote for a nasty little slut, they’ll vote for a coke head.
and how do you KNOW she is a nasty little slut? Is that you Will?
The nasty little slut is M. Sanford.
Not necessarily…
Douche bag said that he didnt’t have a problem with coke, he just liked the way it smelled. That clip will be the centerpiece of his opponent’s campaign. Douche bag is done.
Bill Connor is by far the best candidate in this race but the number one goal is to DUMP GRAHAM. If for some reason enough Dims and RINOs carry Grahamnasty over 50% then we will have another chance with T RAV. Graham is so proud of his $7 million campaign account. Now it is a David verses Goliath race, With T RAV it will be roll reversal. This could get interesting. Full contact politics—the most fun you can have with your cloths on. LOL
Bill, is that you?
Bill Who?
What is your crush on this waste all about? he is spoiled rich kid pretender.
South Carolinians love the truly tacky.
If T-Rav runs and wins, it should not be a surprise. After all the former governor who took state money, planes, etc.to carry on with his mistress got reelected as a
congressman. This can only happen in SC, in SC.
Not only in SC, my boy
Bitch set me up.
You forget me! I loves me some crack!
How did the MSM scoop FITS on this story ??!!
Run Trey Gowdy, Run!
Do I want a closeted gay or a coke addict for my U.S. Senator? Choices, choices?
(your attempts to keep this sniffer relavent are kind of pathetic.)
Which one are you talking about?
Spit take! Awesome…
Of course he’s considering a run- why not? NOBODY loves Thomas Ravenel more than Thomas Ravenel does. Hubris and narcissism are powerful drugs, too. He’ll throw some of his money in, pretend to be relevant for a month or two, and maybe (it’s only a maybe, though) even keep Sheheen close. He’ll pull some fringey, stupid ass Republicans (I’ll beat y’all to it – is there another kind?), some drug-loving college kids, and maybe even a few low self esteem horny mommies. If he gets above 7-9% and people start spending money advertising against him, oh my God the fun that will be! I’m sure glad he chicken-shitted out of that whole renouncement of his citizenship hissy fit he threw after his coke distro conviction. I say, “Come on in, bro!” FITS can’t save you from the very public and humiliating ass-whipping that this undertaking would represent!
T-Rav would be a TREMENDOUS improvement over Miss Lindsey. Heck, he might be better than most of ’em. He doesn’t stand a chance, though…but he could still cost Miss Lindsey his seat. A Democrat (the enemy you know) is much favorable to Miss Lindsey (wolf in sheep’s clothing?). TBG would vote for ’em.
Suggested campaign slogans:
“T-RAV : THE REAL THING.”
or
*Rick James voice*
“I’m T-RAV, BITCH!!”
At the very least he could get a cool Coke looking logo to contrast with Obama’s Pepsi looking thing.
SNOOKI!
If T-Rav jumps in the race he will assure a Democrat win on election day.
I agree. T-Rav has to make a decision whether a democrat or a republican will get elected. Bad day for a republican and a great day for democrats! Go T-Rav!
Please go away. Your show got crap rating and no ones going to vote for you. Your a tool.
Your man crush on Ravenel is disturbing.
He doesn’t have an ass.
When TRav pulled out of that red head Will was right there to clean him off.