***Palmetto Morning Presented by Jim Dyke & Associates***
THIS FIRST — “Gov. Mark Sanford delivered the final State of the State address of his second term Wednesday night before a notably full Legislature in the House chamber. The speech saw lawmakers rise to their feet on several occasions — largely at the governor’s urging — to applaud the efforts of lawmakers other than himself on measures that created tax cuts, job Opportunities and stiffer drunk-driving laws. However, the nearly hour-long speech appeared well-received by the Legislature, due in part to the conciliatory tone the governor took throughout the address.”
DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE — Harry Ott gets a chance to talk back.
JUST THE GOOD STUFF — Highlights here.
MIND THE PERSONAL SPACE — It’s National Hugging Day
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Cabinet Day — Attorney General Eric Holder & Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke
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NATIONAL LENS — “The Federal Reserve is ratcheting up its response to congressional criticism in an effort to protect its regulatory authority and autonomy—a move that is softening some attacks but doesn’t appear to be enough to win over hostile lawmakers. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke earlier this week publicly invited congressional auditors to review the Fed’s role in the rescue of American International Group Inc. 16 months ago. And the Federal Reserve Bank of New York issued a point-by-point defense of the Fed’s decision to pay off AIG’s trading partners 100 cents on the dollar,” reports the Wall Street Journal. “Sen. Jim DeMint, who also is pushing the GAO measure, said: ‘It’s a positive step but it doesn’t relieve the need for a full audit. There are too many things going on for us not to insist on full disclosure.’”
DeMINT’S WINNING FIGHT — “President Barack Obama’s choice to lead the Transportation Security Administration withdrew his name Wednesday, a setback for an administration still trying to explain how a man could attempt to blow up a commercial airliner on Christmas Day.”
ROME WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY — “The White House is still hoping the House can pass the Senate bill in a quick strike, but Democrats are now considering other options. Instead of one big bill, health care overhaul could be broken into chunks and passed over time. ‘Medicare wasn’t done in one fell swoop,’ said House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. ‘You lay a foundation and you get this thing done over time.’”
QUOTABLE — “If you are a Republican in a red state, don’t think this can’t happen to you,” warned Senator Lindsey Graham, referring to Ms. Coakley’s humbling defeat and the delicate relationship between the political class and the expanding grass roots network.
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REALITY — Fundraising reality hits Grooms
BIG BONED — “A Senate panel postponed voting Wednesday on legislation aimed at curbing childhood obesity in a state with one of the nation’s highest rates of overweight and obese youth, just as a new survey released by the state Education Department shows one in six high school students in the state are obese. Democratic Rep. Bakari Sellers of Denmark says giving students only healthy options could save lives and money.”
DAYBOOK — LT. DEBATE — “Three Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for lieutenant governor will participate in a debate tonight at Leonard Auditorium on the campus of Wofford College. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the hourlong debate begins at 7:30. Up to 300 people are expected to attend. The event is free.”
DISAPPEARING ACT — Lt. Gov. Candidate Bill Connor, “after mingling with area business leaders and residents, talked about why he decided to run for the office and some of the objectives he would implement if elected. In Santee Tuesday, Connor said the idea of ‘small government … and letting people handle things’ is disappearing.”
SON OF STROM — Paul Thurmond makes it official.
DEMOCRAT JUMPS IN FOR LT. GOVERNOR — Charleston lawyer and energy expert, Ashley Cooper, announced his Democratic bid for Lieutenant Governor.
PAYNEFUL — “A South Carolina teacher is running as a Republican for state schools superintendent. Kelly Payne of Irmo plans to officially announce her candidacy Thursday at EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia. Payne has taught civics and history at Dutch Fork High School since 2005.”
ROUND II — “Jane Dyer announced Wednesday that she is running for the 3rd Congressional District seat. She is the second Democrat to announce for the race. Dyer, who is from Easley, is starting her second campaign for the seat. She received 35 percent of the vote in 2008 in a race against U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, a Republican.”
TECHNICAL DEFEAT; MORAL VICTORY — “The U.S. Supreme Court handed South Carolina a technical defeat Wednesday in a river-sharing feud between the Palmetto State and North Carolina. But the court sided with South Carolina in ruling the city of Charlotte need not get involved because North Carolina state officials can adequately present the city’s side in the dispute over sharing the Catawba River’s resources. Attorney General Henry McMaster praised the court for barring Charlotte from participating in the dispute. ‘Their dismissal removes a major legal and political obstacle and will now allow South Carolina’s case to move toward resolution,’ McMaster said in a statement.”
SLAMMING DHEC — “In a letter to the federal government, the S.C. Wildlife Federation said the state Department of Health and Environmental Control was wrong to speak against the regulations. A state agency’s fight against looming federal controls on greenhouse gas pollution sparked fiery criticism Wednesday from the state’s oldest conservation group. DHEC issued a statement Wednesday night saying federal rules aren’t the right approach to attacking climate change. The agency’s position is similar to that of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Graham and Chamber leaders say a new law — instead of the EPA — would provide more flexibility in dealing with climate change and energy policy.”
VIEWPOINT — “Charleston County’s Greenbelt Program is among the top five local government land and water conservation and protection programs in the United States today,” according to Charles A. Flink, a landscape architect, environmental planner and founder and president of Greenways incorporated.
SPARTANBURG — Couple hopes US policy on Haitian orphans will speed arrival of adopted son
GREENWOOD — School districts in dire straits financially
CLEMSON — Alerts students, parents to loan changes planned in fall
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH — Comes together to get relief supplies to Haiti
UPSTATE — Factories getting bigger as number of employees declines
DANIEL ISLAND — Charter school for gifted draws support
GREENVILLE — Jobs initiative aims to boost Upstate paychecks
COLUMBIA — Benedict fire code controversy spreads
CHARLESTON — Hat Ladies dress to impress while helping community
NEW CLUB — “Republicans in Florence have a new way to show their support for the party and its elected officials through a Republican women’s club, the first of its kind in the county.”
FINALLY THIS — We continue to be fascinated by this story. The fired Norway Police Chief is now the fired Ehrhardt Police Chief too.
THAT’S IT FOR THIS MORNING – STAY TUNED ON TWITTER OR FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES THAT JUST CAN’T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW. HAVE A GOOD ONE!
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