She Went Rogue; Graham, Mideast Peace, Censures and Energy; Clyburn and Trust Funds; Emergency Online Dating; It’s TUESDAY Morning in the Palmetto State

***Palmetto Morning Presented by Jim Dyke & Associates***

THIS FIRST — Sarah Palin’s long-anticipated book hits shelves today.  Politico got an early copy, read it and published this primer for those that don’t delve into drama when not at the beach.  Palin singles out SC’s Tucker Eskew who “doesn’t receive the praise that her other ‘B Team’ allies do yet he isn’t scorned like other senior officials. While calling him a ‘Southern gentleman,’ Palin writes that Eskew stuck to her ‘like gum on a shoe.’  After events, she recalls, ‘he’d be waiting for me on the campaign bus steps with an indulgent smile that said, “Come over here and let me tell you what you did wrong, bless your heart.”’” No word, yet, on whether Eskew is refuting the account much like nearly every other campaign staffer who is mentioned in the book.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — The iconic RuPaul

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NATIONAL LENS — “As the Senate prepares to take up legislation aimed at overhauling the nation’s health-care system, President Obama and the Democrats are still struggling to win the battle for public opinion. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows Americans deeply divided over the proposals under consideration and majorities predicting higher costs ahead.  But Republican opponents have done little better in rallying the public opposition to kill the reform effort. Americans continue to support key elements of the legislation, including a mandate that employers provide health insurance to their workers and access to a government-sponsored insurance plan for those people without insurance.  In the new poll, 48 percent say they support the proposed changes; 49 percent are opposed.”

GRAHAM READY TO LEAD MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS — During an interview with Ynet, Senator Lindsey Graham “expressed confidence in the possibility of leading a peace process with the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world. He said leaders of the Arab world have the ability to pressure the Palestinians into opening talks, and that if Abbas is willing to negotiate with Israel, he will need the support of the Arab world, since Hamas will continue to criticize him.”  Graham, who was attending the Saban Forum in Jerusalem also said “any move by Palestinians to unilaterally declare statehood would be devastative to peace process, would not be backed by Washington.”

NARROW ESCAPE — “Graham escaped another censure Monday after his chief of staff promised a meeting with disgruntled Berkeley County Republicans,” reports the Post & Courier.  “Berkeley County Republicans showed up at their executive committee meeting Monday night with a similar resolution, changing only the name of the county from Charleston to Berkeley.  Chairman Tim Callanan of Daniel Island urged the group to table the motion. Callanan said Graham’s chief of staff called him Monday afternoon and offered to set up a meeting next week.  ‘It seems to be a reasonable request,’ Callanan said, adding that he thinks Graham has some serious explaining to do.”

THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU — “State Sen. Paul Campbell, R-Goose Creek, said he disagrees with Graham on the energy bill but urged the committee to give him a chance to speak for himself.  ‘I just think it sends the wrong message to censure him when we’re trying to work with him on a grant to get 600 jobs,’ Campbell said.”

MEANWHILE — Graham hit again for cap-and-trade support

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COST CUTTING — “Governor Mark Sanford held a budget hearing Monday with representatives of various state agencies, who talked about their budgets and possible cost cutting measures,” according to the SC Radio Network.  “The suggestions made for cost cutting were minimal. State agencies have already faced major cuts in recent years.  There were not many ideas mentioned by agency representatives that had not already been put in place.  The Governor will present his budget to state lawmakers during the first weeks of January after they return to Columbia. The House and Senate will develop their own proposals.”

FIRST BILL — “The South Carolina House will formally receive an impeachment resolution on Gov. Mark Sanford.  It’s the first bill that will be pre-filed Tuesday as the House opens the door to new legislation ahead of its January session beginning.” (AP)

A REQUEST BY GOV. SANFORD “to the State Ethics Commission not to release a report of the agency’s investigation of him may not be heard at the commission’s meeting Wednesday as officials await a ‘clarification’ from the state Supreme Court of its ruling two weeks ago on the matter.”

NEWSOURCE — Reid Wilson, of Real Clear Politics and The Hill fame, is now writing for Hotline’s On Call.

BOOKMARK-TWEET — @hambypCNN Ladies and gents, @politicsnation has started his new gig at Hotline On Call. Bookmark it

THE REST OF THE WORLD — Senator DeMint thinks “New Yorkers are being forced by the Obama administration to host the trials for terrorists suspected of planning the Sept. 11 attacks that killed thousands in lower Manhattan,” according to the Washington Times.  “He also said President Obama’s decision to bring self-proclaimed September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four accomplices to New York from the Guantanamo Bay detention center is another case of the president ‘doing a lot of things to look good’ for the rest of the world. ‘He’s trying to show America is willing to submit and become a part of the rest of the world, rather than lead it,’ Mr. DeMint said.”

KICKOFF — “State Senator Vincent Sheheen had his Lowcountry kickoff late Monday afternoon, meeting and greeting supporters in downtown Charleston.”  Watch video of his interview with Live 5 News HERE.”

MENTAL ISSUES V. TERROR — In Aiken, yesterday, Rep. Gresham Barrett was rallying support for his gubernatorial campaign.  He asked for a moment of silence for the victims of the Fort Hood shooting and criticized President Obama’s assessment.  ‘They’re saying he was depressed or had mental issues,’ he said. ‘It’s a scary day when we don’t call a spade a spade. I believe with all my heart that was an act of terrorism.’”

DAYBOOK — The South Carolina Democratic Party will hold a fundraising reception in Anderson on Tuesday that will feature five candidates for governor.  The event will be held at the Anderson County Arts Center Atrium on 110 Federal Street from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. People are asked to make a $50 donation to attend. The candidates in attendance will be Dwight Drake, Mullins McLeod, Jim Rex, Robert Ford and Vincent Sheheen.

TOUCH OF CLASS — Howard Dean’s brother is sending hangers to Rep. John Spratt in protest of Spratt being a pro-life Democrat.

COMPETITION — Blood Drive calls for donors: Carolina, Clemson compete in 25th annual competition

TURN YOUR HEAD — My News 2: Taking sports physicals one step further

TRUST FUND — “Rep. Clyburn told the audience at [an] event held in Augusta that if Yucca Mountain is removed as a site for permanent disposal of high level nuclear waste, South Carolina should get its share of the Nuclear Waste Trust Fund back. The fund has been collected since 1982, Rep. Clyburn said, and was created to pay for the use of Yucca Mountain as the final resting place for the waste,” reports the Aiken Standard.  “If Yucca Mountain is dead, then ratepayers should get their money back. And if the federal government refuses to take the Cold War waste out of South Carolina, I’m going to see to it that our state and its citizens are compensated.”

BUTTING HEADS — “Calhoun County Republicans heard from Bill Connor of Orangeburg, a Republican candidate for South Carolina lieutenant governor, at the party’s meeting on Nov. 12.

‘There is too much head butting’ in state government in South Carolina, Connor said. He said ethics has been turned on its head in politics. … ‘The role of government is small,’ Connor said, vowing to do his part to keep it small if elected.”

DAYBOOK II — The Grand Strand Young Republicans will host a meet and greet with South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer on Wednesday, November 18 from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM at SOHO, located at 406 21st Avenue North in Myrtle Beach.

“THE TEAM CHARGED with construction of Boeing’s Dreamliner factory in North Charleston is meeting with executives in Seattle today to make decisions about critical subcontractors and to work with Boeing executives on the final design,” writes the Charleston Regional Business Journal.

JOBS — “A research firm that develops advanced textiles for the automotive, aeronautics and defense industries says it will open a new facility in South Carolina, creating 120 new jobs. … Fletcher, N.C.-based Materials Innovation Technologies will bring a new facility to Florence County. … Gov. Mark Sanford says the announcement speaks to the state’s progress on attracting high-quality companies.” (AP)

WHERE CREDIT IS DUE — “Mount Pleasant-based Direct Source Imports LLC was named South Carolina’s fastest-growing company for 2009 at last week’s S.C. Chamber of Commerce annual summit.”

COLUMBIA — SC school volunteers to be honored by educators

WALHALLA — Schools borrow $4.5 million from Oconee

CLEMSON — Professor selected to 50 Most Important African-Americans in Technology list

NORTH CHARLESTON — Job fairs change purpose

NASTY, DIRTY VOTING — “The polls will open once again in Myrtle Beach in the run-off election between incumbent John Rhodes and Mark McBride for the city’s top political spot.  The race between the two is a hot one and some say political ads surrounding the campaigns are getting nasty. Whether it’s questionable campaign contributions or the controversy surrounding Elmer Fudd, the Myrtle Beach mayoral race has seen its fair share of what many have called ‘dirty politics.’”

HAPPY TRAILS — “Suspended Clemson City Council member Elouise James resigned from office Monday, effective immediately. … “James was arrested in September on criminal charges [that] allege that James, in an effort to assist her daughter, Kristen James, avoid legal problems, misrepresented that her daughter had cancer and collected money on her daughter’s behalf. In addition, James is alleged to have forged a statement from the Cancer Centers of the Carolinas to avoid her daughter’s prosecution and used her power of attorney to obtain a reverse mortgage on her mother’s home in order to pay restitution and probation fees for her daughter.”

NPR REMINDS us what kind of year we’ve had the joy to experience.

VIEWPOINT — SWAMP GRATITUDE — John Grego, President of Friends of Congaree Swamp, writes to The State, saying, “Parks, open spaces, wildlife areas and historic sites define communities throughout South Carolina. They improve our quality of life and connect us to our natural and cultural heritage. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. James Clyburn have been working to protect one such treasure in the heart of South Carolina. As a result of their work, the Congress recently approved a $1.32 million appropriation to expand Congaree National Park in Richland County. … We are extremely fortunate to have such a treasured place for our children and grandchildren to explore.  We are very grateful for Sen. Graham’s and Congressman Clyburn’s commitment to the citizens of South Carolina by working to secure this investment in our communities, our families and our children’s future.”

FINALLY THIS — WANNA BE THE SIREN ON MY AMBULANCE? A Honea Path rescue squad has volunteered for a 30-day suspension after questionable charges appeared on the squad credit card, including purchases at several online dating sites.