Contributor Jeff Parks: Doctor, This Party Has Flatlined........

Jeff Parks

The South Carolina Democratic Party is on life support...and that is putting it nicely right now. If this were one of those made-for-TV hospital dramas, the doctors would be leaving the SCDP to die, moving on to the patient in the bed next door. And for the record, this is not something I want. I'm a Democrat, and proud to be one at that. And yes, I am liberal on a lot of issues, and I don't look at that word as naughty either. I'm proud of the accomplishments of my party over the last seventy-five years. Were there rough times? Of course, but all in all, I am still a very proud Donkey (does that sound bad?) Right now though, I am embarrassed. And no...it is not for my party! I am embarrassed for the state of South Carolina and the referndum the voters delivered on Tuesday night. So sadly I come to you to deliver the Last Rites for the South Carolina Democratic Party...at least temporarily this Donkey hopes. Let's face some facts here that show that November will be a very disappointing time for the Dems in South Carolina:

· Mark Sanford broke tradition. He came out and openly supported a candidate in a PRIMARY. And that candidate won 51% of the vote in a field that included five candidates. I am not a Karen Floyd fan (or school choice fan either for that matter), but that is impressive. Jim Rex, your resume is impressive, but you had better be worried.
· Andre Bauer and Mark Sanford clashed. Mike Campbell, who has nothing to run on but his Daddy's name (sounds kind of like an important national figure), beat Bauer. Even though there will still be a runoff, Andre is going to be lucky to get 40% of the vote come two weeks from now.
· Tommy Moore won a convincing victory in the Democratic primary. However, the loser in the Republican primary, Oscar Lovelace, still finished with nearly as many raw votes as Moore did. I know, the Republican races were more highlighted and were going to draw more voters. Still though, that would be a bit discouraging to me.
· The State newspaper came out with an article that supposedly says Sanford is weak. I am not buying it. Winthrop Political Scientist Scott Huffmon said, "Democrats will take the opportunity to draw moderates over to their side" when he was presented with how Oscar took over a 1/3 of the vote against Sanford. That is the problem Mr. Huffmon. As 2002 showed me when I clearly thought Alex Sanders was the better candidate for the US Senate over Lindsay Graham, as 2004 showed me when I clearly thought that Inez was better that Jim DeMint, as 2002 showed me when I thought we had a very productive four years under Jim Hodges...there are not that many moderates in South Carolina...just Republicans, and well, more Republicans.

I hope I am wrong. I hope that the Dems are competitive in November, however I fear that we will see a triumverate of Sanford, Campbell, and Floyd come the first Tuesday in November. And then I might be returning...this time to deliver the Last Rites to the state of South Carolina.

Who Is More Qualified? - After You Read This, Place Your Right Index Finger On Your Chin And Look Up

Karen Floyd-----------------------Michael Reese

I wish I was running in the race for SC Superintendent of Education, let's take a look at 2 resume's and decide which candidate has the best qualifications of the two.
Candidate A - Michael Reese
Father was a school teacher for 19 years, mother was a school teacher as well. Brother and sister-in-law are both current school teachers. Attended public school for 12 years, 4 year college degree, currently works at a college.
Candidate B - Karen Floyd
A lawyer and businessperson who served four years on the Spartanburg County Council. Former Prosectuor. Sent his/her kids to private school until a year and a half ago. Attended a 4 year college and law school. Became the first female Chairman of County Council in Spartanburg

Now, while you're trying to decide between Karen Floyd and Michael Reese, Go ahead and take a look at Jim Rex's resume. He will be going up against Karen Floyd this November, so it's not Michael Reese vs. Karen Floyd, its Karen Floyd vs. Jim Rex.

Jim Rex has spent most of his adult life making a difference for the children, families, schools, and communities of South Carolina. As a high school English teacher, football coach, and higher education leader, he has made public education his life's mission. Now, Jim is poised to take his leadership to the Office of State Superintendent of Education on a platform of innovation, competitiveness, and common sense solutions to the challenges our public schools face. Having served as Dean of Education at Winthrop University, as well as Coastal Carolina University, Jim knows what it takes to create a teaching force for South Carolina that is second to none. As the former President of Columbia College, he also knows the importance of preparing South Carolina's students, not just for higher education, but for the real world they face as working adults. As State Superintendent of Education, he will work to make sure that every student in South Carolina receives an education that will prepare them, not just for competition within our own borders, but for competing in a global market place with others from throughout the world.In addition to those posts, Jim is also the former Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at the University of South Carolina, where he retired in 1999 after serving his final tenure there as Vice President of University Advancement. He is a published author and has served as a top consultant to education advocacy organizations like the National Institute of Education and Governor Dick Riley's South Carolina Educator Improvement Task Force. But his work extends beyond the education realm. Jim has also lent his time and talents to a variety of community organizations, including serving as Chair of Clean Water South Carolina; a member of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation board of directors; and chair of the Palmetto Trail. He is also the former chair of the board of the Nurturing Center, a facility created to help abused children.Along with his list of work and accomplishments, Jim's family and his faith remain the cornerstones of his life. The grandson of a Methodist minister, Jim has worked to instill the traditional values he learned from his upbringing in the four children he shares with his wife, Sue: Adam, Jeff, Nathan, and Siri.

This is when you place your right index finger on your chin, look up and say: (I'll let you fill in the blank space here yourself )

Mark Sanford ........ Pull Over, Please Pull The Car Over! (Reason #1827 to fire Mark Sanford)

- Unfortunately Mark Sanford has not done this yet

In regards to Mark Sanford leading South Carolina in this direction, it's just...... I feel like I'm in a car with with a drunk driver, and there's nothing I can do about it, and I just can't wait for him to stop driving. Mark Sanford, please, please slow down, pull over, pull the car aside! It's like we don't have a seatbelt on, and we have a drunk driver at the helm driving this car (South Carolina) to GOSH knows where!
Mark Sanford's veto to H. 4965 is reason # 1827 to fire him. This arrogant (whatever adjective you would like to use), this ______ guy is out of control! And I thought I had bad hand writing! What word(s) do YOU think he spelled out in his signature? It almost looks like he spelled the word VETO!

New Contributor Kat Burglar: I've got an "Inconvenient Truth" for Al Gore

Al, you've already been knocked down once, please don't get back up!

As many of you may know, former VP Al Gore and Presidential candidate in 2000 released a book last month titled "An Inconvenient Truth" which discusses research from scientists that explains the negatives of global warming - duh - like we needed a book from Al Gore saying global warming is a bad thing. I wonder if Al included in his book that global warming has fried his brain cells, because it appears that he is holding out hope (albeit a slim one) that he will be a successful candidate for president in 2008. In an interview this past Sunday on ABC's "This Week" Al indicated that he had "all but ruled out" running for president in 08 but he stopped short of ruling it out entirely. Due to statements like this and Al's re-emergence in the national spotlight at a time when other presidential hopefuls are starting their campaigns, tounges are wagging and speculating that AG will make another go of it.

Can you believe this nonsense? I mean really, are you kidding me? Here's my "inconvenient truth" for you Al Gore - IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. You had your chance and blew it!!!! Al Gore, you let the Democratic party and the country down in 2000. If you had been a better candidate then (let's remember that AG did not even win his home state of Tennessee) and defeated Bush maybe our country would not be in such a mess today. Please, AG, I beg you to take yourself out of the race once and for all. Your time in national politics is over.

Contributor Jeff Parks: Would POTUS Please Start To Focus on Something Worthwhile???

When is the Bush Administration going to release this do you think?
There is still a war in Iraq that takes the lives of several American soldiers every day. As we look at Iran, the situation is about as solid as a chocolate bar left outside on an early June day (we're talking Georgia heat here folks). Suddenly, our country's problems are not limited to just the border to the south, but also with our neighbor to the north (who would have thought??? Terrorists in Canada?). White House staffers are dropping about as quickly as teams in the NBA playoffs. And yet in spite of all of these SIGNIFICANT problems, I open up my newspaper over the weekend to find that our wonderful President is focused on something as equally insignificant...GAY MARRIAGE! Yes people, election time must be near.

If you want to talk about hijacking an issue, this is it! With his approval ratings lower than the batting average of the most average major league baseball players and with the Republican Party feeling the heat being turned up faster than the grill for those summer cook-outs, the Elephants, and in particular the Head Elephant Bush, have resorted to an issue that they find comfort in. Much like the four hundred pound man who drowns his sorrows in a carton of ice cream each night, the Republicans and Baby Bush are attempting to drown their woes in a nice, hearty carton of gay bashing.

To be very honest with you, I could care less what happens to the issue of gay marriage. I feel that is probably the opinion of most of the American people. We don't really worry about what our gay neighbors might be doing (or in this case, not doing). Instead, we worry about ten tons of ammonium nitrate crossing the border. Instead, we worry about car bombings knocking off American soliders. Instead, we wonder about how our country is going to combat illegal immigration. We may be even playing a real life game of Clue in trying to figure "What exactly has happened to all those White House staffers?" My message to the President is to get off your butt, quit worrying about your political numbers, quit worrying about getting a Republican Congress back in place in November (how has that worked out for you by the way?) Quit hijakcing the political process in order to protect your precious legacy. Instead, get to work on the REAL problems of the American people.

And just in case you do want my opinion Mr. President, only one consitutional amendment (the 18th) was ever used to take away rights from the American people, and it was reversed (21st). And by the way, since when did the federal government begin licensing marriages in our country? Yeah Mr. President, get back to the issues (if that is even possible with this Adminstration).

Audio Interview: Politics Rocks talks with (D) Candidate for SC Governor, Senator Tommy Moore

Senator Tommy Moore For Governor - Website
Click Play (>) to listen to the 2-part interview with (D) Candidate for SC Governor, Senator Tommy Moore.

Part 1

Part 2

Message from Senator Tommy Moore

“Wow!” The overwhelming response I received from so many delegates at the state Democratic Party Convention was incredibly energizing. Thanks to all of you who showed such strong and enthusiastic support. And thanks to the thousands of you—from the Low Country to the Upstate and everywhere in between—who have given me such a warm welcome and listened to me as I’ve traveled all over our state this past year.
Now it’s crunch time. The primary is only weeks away; weeks during which I will continue to bring my message of change and hope to the people of South Carolina. Please join me. Together we can and will bring prosperity, health and a real chance at a better life to all of our hard-working citizens. - Tommy Moore

Audio Interview: Politics Rocks talks with (R) Candidate for SC Governor Dr. Oscar Lovelace

Republican Oscar Lovelace for Governor - Website

Click Play (>) below to listen to the 2-part interview with Dr. Oscar Lovelace.

Part 1

Part 2

Dear Friends,
Many people have asked why I would leave my rural family medical practice to run for governor. After serving as Governor Sanford's Health Care Task Force chairman in 2003, I realized he was missing three critical qualities of leadership: communication, cooperation and common sense.
The latest article by Cindi Ross Scoppe outlines the most poignant recent example of these leadership flaws. With the Republican primary election looming on June 13, 2006, I hope you will agree that South Carolina must move ahead to a brighter future with real world experience and hands-on leadership that listens to others.

Oscar Lovelace, MD

Let's All Relax Today! Go Home, Crack Open A Beer If You Wish, Prop Your Legs Up, And Turn It To FOX NEWS And Enjoy The Political Comedy!

1. Which person do you dislike the most? Bill O' Reilly or Sean Hannity
2. Or ....... if you feel like you are a member of the very very far right, which one do you feel like is your hero? Bill O' Reilly or Sean Hannity

Karen Floyd, forget Mike Green, I want to be your Campaign Manager, I would make a great one, and I'll show you why....

That's right Karen, you tell em' (fist in the air)

The other day I talked with Mike Green, Mike Green IS Karen Floyd's campaign manager, Mike Green IS www.schotline.com or as most of us have come to know it as www.looneytune.com , to discuss with him the possibility of having Karen Floyd come on and do an interview on Politics Rocks. He pretty much just gave me the run around. Mike, you should want your candidate to come on Politics Rocks and get her some good exposure. We told you it would be a 100% positive interview. Since K. Floyd's campaign is obviously being run lazy and not so smart, I figured that I would take his job eventually. Let me explain.
A lot of my sources around the state of South Carolina have been telling me that ....... if Karen Kanes Floyd wins the SC Superintendent of Education election this year, she will run for Governor here in South Carolina in 2010. Basically, just using the position as Spt. of Education as a pedestal to the Governor's Mansion. Well, Karen, if this is all true about you running for Governor in 2010, I want to be your Campaign Manager. I have already begun working hard for you Karen, and I'll show you.
Yesterday, Politics Rocks went to www.godaddy.com and looked up some possible website domain names that she might use for this Governor's race come 2010. She already owns www.KarenFloyd2006 , which obviously cannot be used after this year. She owns www.KarenFloyd.com , that could be used again in 2010 possibly but that's not too glamorous. And we all know how you just love to be Glamorous Karen! Well what we have done today, to make sure no political clown gets a hold of some possible domain web addresses first to play games with her campaign, Politics Rocks bought these domain web addresses for Karen:
---www.KarenFloyd2010.com
--- www.KarenFloydForGovernor.com
---www.FloydForGovernor.com
--- www.Floyd2010.com
Karen, I'm working hard, I believe in you I promise! Let's make this happen, and let's make me your Campaign Manager for the 2010 Governor's Race! (that is, if you survive June 13th, 2006 primary and November 7th, 2006 general election)

Statement from Lt. Governor Andre Bauer

Statement from Lt. Governor Andre Bauer:

First and foremost, I am concerned for the well-being of my friend and co-pilot, John Leonhardt. I have spoken to him by phone, and am happy to report that he is recovering.

I would like to thank the EMS, public safety, and law enforcement officers for their very professional and courageous response. I am especially grateful to two individuals -- Mr. Elliott and Mr. White -- for their heroic assistance in helping us after the crash.

I am deeply humbled by the outpouring of concern I have received from the people of South Carolina. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for your support and your prayers.

But most of all, I am thankful for a merciful Lord, who for some reason, has seen fit for this humbled servant to continue his journey on this earth. Please continue to pray for me that I may be worthy of His blessings.

Thank you.

Andre Bauer

Audio Interview: Politics Rocks Talks With SC Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer

For more information on Andre Bauer click here for his website.
Click play (>) below and enjoy the short interview with SC Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer.

- Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1996

- In 1999, Bauer was elected to the South Carolina State Senate in a special election. He was re-elected in the 2000 general election and served in the Senate until his inauguration.

- Elected in 2002 to SC Lieutenant Governor

It's official, SC Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer is a Clemson Tiger Fan!

"Clowns to the Left of me, Jokers to the Right"

The Clown, Joshua Gross--------Michael Reese--------The Joker, Mark Sanford

As the song goes, "I got the feeling that something ain't right ... Clowns to the left of me. Jokers to the right. Here I am, stuck in the middle with you." That's the feeling I get everyday as I listen to The Body Politic (Joshua Gross)/SCC4G and Mark Sanford/Karen Floyd.

The whole state of South Carolina must feel like they are stuck in the middle as Sanford/Floyd plays the jokers on one side, and The Body Politic/SCC4G plays the clowns on the other, I know I feel stuck. The Body Politic/SCC4G are either crazy, or don't realize how crazy Mark Sanford and Karen Floyd are! Either The Body Politic/SCC4G think that they can help accomplish one of the biggest con-artists jobs ever in SC Politics, or either they amazingly somehow believe that Karen Floyd is qualified for SC Spt. of Education and that Mark Sanford is actually a good Governor! (Time Magazine)

The Body Politic just recently stated this when referring to me, "As to the nature of the comments you make about Karen/SCRG/Sanford, etc..., again, why would we listen and give credence to the son of a Democrat Senator trying to come up with moonbat theories about our party's politics?"------------This is only the 189th irrational comment that he has made toward Democrats over the last few weeks. So tell me, just because I pick Bob Staton over Karen Floyd because of these reasons: Karen Floyd is not qualified, Karen Floyd is a quitter, Karen Floyd is uncredible, and Karen Floyd is only using this race as a stepping stone to get to the Governor's Mansion , and just because I point out all of the critical downfalls of Gov. Mark Sanford: Dumb Mistakes, Laziness , and No Common Sense, in your eyes these are all Moonbat Theories?

The fact that we are having a serious discussion right now determining whether or not Mark Sanford is a reasonable/smart Governor and determining whether or not Karen Floyd is the right fit for Spt. of Education should sicken us to our core. Yet, some people are unfazed. With some of these very far right clowns to the left of us (The Body Politic/SCC4G) and Mark Sanford / Karen Floyd jokers to the right, I feel like we are all stuck in the middle together. No one might not be able to stop Mark Sanford and Karen Floyd from running for political office, but we can stop them from getting elected, I just wish The Body Politic/SCC4G would jump on board with the more common sense approach!

Oh gosh ...... what was Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack doing hanging out with these hoodlums?

Left to Right - M. Reese, Lauren Manning, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, and Frank
It's official, if Tom Vilsack is our next president, Frank, Lauren, and myself will all have jobs in Washington, let me give you a little sneak peak of what we will be doing .........

Frank (Devinely Southern) will serve as the President's Chief of Staff! Salary for this job is still yet to be determined..... Vilsack may not be able to afford Frank.

Lauren Manning (LaurenLine) will serve as Press Secretary for the President! Due to all of the Student Loans that she has racked up for Law School, and undergrad at Wofford College, Vilsack recognizes this and will forfeit his salary to go toward hers.
M. Reese (Politics Rocks) will serve as Chief Coordinator of FUN! He will make $50,000 a year off of taxpayer expense and will accompany Vilsack on all trips!

Please Everybody, This Is Going To Be Hard, But Let's Try Our Best To Remember Mark Sanford In A Positive Way!

This picture was taken when Mark Sanford was still a happy Governor. He is no longer happy and hopes to lose his seat come June 13th. Not only was Charles not in charge, Sanford won't be in charge much longer.

My thinking and theory today is that Governor Mark Sanford is trying to lose his job. He's tired and he just wants to go home ...... to his plantation. His bed on the coast seems so enticing now. All this governing has worn him out. He's finally come to the conclusion that he won't be able to make a decent run for the Presidency in 2008. So, he's subconsciously is trying to get kicked out of school so he doesn't have to do the homework anymore. He doesn't have a Republican Guard sticking up for him like he thought he would have, and his incompetent acts just haven't worked the way he thought they would. Don't worry Mark, we can make your problems go away. We'll be sure to vote you out of office either on June 13th, or on November 7th. I know you've been trying hard to get relieved of your command because it's just too much homework.
1. Who wants the opportunity of tackling SC Public Education? He sure doesn't, he wants to abandon it.
2. Who wants the hassle of improving SC Job Unemployment? He obviously doesn't on this one, thanks to him being so slack, he lost "Air Bus".
3. Who wants the opportunity to let our Legislators do their job? He doesn't, he just wants to change the rules so he has all power.
4. Who wants the opportunity to come up with a clean, but thought out and sensible budget? He doesn't, he just wants to cut everything. Mark Sanford needs a nap, a power nap for that!
He's dying to get voted out of office, will someone put this guy out of his misery and vote him out of office come June 13th? Believe me, you'd be doing him a favor.

By the way, Latest Governor Sign Count (Statewide): Oscar Lovelace 357, Mark Sanford Still Zero -----see, he really is trying to lose this race. http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1129549,00.html

Contributor Jeff Parks: Spratt Will Not Lose In 2006, But......

Goober Pyle off of the Andy Griffith Show----US House of Rep. John Spratt

In the Sunday edition of The Spartanburg Herald-Journal, better known to some of you as the official guidebook to the South Carolina Republican Party, the online section was highlighted by an article musing the political future of John Spratt, the Congressman from the 5th district of South Carolina. Spratt is somewhat of a political ibis in South Carolina. In a state where Democrats are disappearing faster than Bush staffers, Spratt has been able to continually win re-election, often times by significant margins. However, it seems that this time Spratt might be vulnerable. He won easily in 2004, however his challenger garnered almost 40% of the vote while only spending a couple of grand. While the moderate Democrat Spratt won fairly easily, George W. Bush also won fairly easily over John Kerry in Spratt's district.

Spratt will not lose in 2006 and here is why:

1. The Republican Party is reeling: The Republicans in any other year might have been able to provide the resources to defeat Spratt, however with the Elephants getting the better part of the blame for high oil prices, the war in Iraq, and a series of policy blunders by Dubya, they are going to have fight hard to retain some seats in more competitive districts.
2. Early Money is Like Yeast - Yes, Spratt's challenger does have $600,000 on hand, however Spratt has well over a million bucks on hand. If you are a challenger, you have to at the very least be even with the incumbent to have a shot at overcoming the disadvantage of people not knowing you.
3. South Carolina General Election Has Little Appeal - If Mark Sanford were the type of governor who rallied the Republican base, then Spratt's challenger might have a shot. However, Sanford is a controversial figure. He will win re-election in 2006, however he will not turn out people to the polls in huge numbers to vote for him, thus bringing a trickle down effect on the rest of the ballot.

My prediction is that Spratt wins comfortably in 2006, BUT loses in 2008. In 2008, a presidential election year, the Republicans will have a candidate on the national ticket who is not as divisive as a George W. Bush. People will turn out to vote for that figure, and the trickle down effect will end up defeating John Spratt.