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THIS FIRST — NATL GOPers COMING AFTER SPRATT — Hotline’s “On Call” blog is reporting that “the NRCC will begin airing a new cable TV ad [today] targeting Rep. John Spratt for his role as Budget Committee chair. In a preview of what Spratt can expect should he opt for re-election, the NRCC ad hits Spratt for writing ‘the most fiscally irresponsible budget in the history of the federal government.’ It also accuses him of writing a loophole into the budget amendment that would allow Dems to use reconciliation to pass the health care bill.”
IMPORTANT TO NOTE, Something that has become incredibly common these days is pointed out by a Democratic source. “The total ad buy was under $5K, which tells us the NRCC is looking for the ad to make a splash among the chattering classes here in DC, and not necessarily back in Spratt’s CD, at least at the outset.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Octomom’s octuplets turn a combined 8 years old today. Eddie Van Halen “jumped” out of the womb 53 years ago today.
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NATIONAL LENS — With an upcoming census and subsequent reapportionment (when state legislatures redraw U.S. Congressional districts, nationwide), The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders is gearing up. Politico’s Mike Allen is reporting that Ed Gillespie will be the new chairman of the group. “‘There’s an opportunity not only to capitalize on the wind at our back in this election cycle,” Gillespie said in a telephone interview, “but also help Republicans for the next five election cycles by targeting races that can flip a chamber in a legislature from Democratic to Republican, or hold on to a close one.’ Gillespie said a strategy targeting races where one party holds narrow control of a chamber could translate into saving or gaining 25 to 32 U.S. House seats for the GOP.”
ON THE FAST TRACK — Rep. Jim Clyburn “said Democrats will continue their push for health care reform using a fast-track procedure for budget issues that only requires 50 votes in the Senate instead of 60 normally used to prevent a filibuster. Democrats, he said, would put any budget-related part of health care reform in one bill and use the process to pass it. ‘I think there are 50 votes in the Senate for a plan as approved by the House,’ he said. However, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Seneca Republican, said using the procedure would be ‘a tremendous abuse of the budget reconciliation process’ and would backfire on Democrats. ‘It will blow up in their faces,’ he warned. ‘It will add to Democratic woes beyond belief, and it would set a precedent that would be dangerous.’”
TRANSITIONS — Senator Jim DeMint announced, yesterday, that he had hired Washington Times reporter Amanda Carpenter [seen in the MSNBC video below at the 2:18 mark], as senior communications advisor and speechwriter. “Amanda is an exceptionally talented writer and I’m proud to welcome her to our team,” said Senator DeMint. “She has spent years reporting on the failures of out-of-control government, and she is committed to advancing solutions that increase freedom and opportunity for all Americans.” Carpenter said, “I’ve long admired Senator DeMint for the battles he’s waged to limit the size of government and decrease spending. He is a relentless advocate for conservative principles. I’m thrilled to join his team and help promote those ideas.”
OLD SCHOOL — Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn picks up on Senator DeMint using the Newt-era “Democrat Party.”
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TRANSITIONS II — “State Rep. Tim Scott tells Robert Behre that “he is strongly considering dropping out of the lieutenant governor’s race and running for the 1st Congressional District contest. He could make it official by next week. ‘I think, ultimately, Representative (Henry) Brown’s retirement announcement caught us all off guard a little bit,’ he said. ‘My first response was there was not much to think about. Then folks … started calling me and asking me to consider it.’”
ENDORSEMENT WATCH — “U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis picked up endorsements Monday from Greenville Mayor Knox White and Greenville County Council Chairman Butch Kirven in his bid to retain the 4th District seat. Inglis said their support is important because ‘they get things done because they seek solutions rather than scapegoats.’ Spartanburg prosecutor Trey Gowdy, one of four GOP challengers for Inglis’ seat in the June 8 primary, said, ‘I think as this process unfolds it will be instructive and interesting to compare the number of folks from Greenville who endorse somebody other than Mr. Inglis.’”
GLASS HALF FULL AND EMPTY — S.C. Rep. and 3rd District GOP candidate, Rex Rice doesn’t describe himself as either an optimist or a pessimist.
THOSE WHO CAN’T … FILE FOR OFFICE? “Former Anderson School District 4 Superintendent Gary Burgess has joined the growing number of educators running for South Carolina superintendent of education. Burgess, who lives in Pendleton, announced his candidacy by e-mail Sunday night.”
RYGGING THE TEST — “The Spartanburg County Republican Party on Monday tweaked what some have called a local version of the national GOP’s ‘purity test,’” reports Jason Spencer of the SHJ. “Party representatives will ask each candidate filing for office as a Republican to declare whether he or she agrees with the S.C. GOP platform. They will maintain a public record of each candidate’s replies and any disagreements candidates have with the platform that candidates put in writing, according to the resolution. … For instance, gubernatorial candidate Henry McMaster, attorney general candidate Robert Bolchoz and adjutant general candidate Bob Livingston were asked to sign the state platform Monday and did, Ryggs said.”
J-O-B-S — “South Carolina gubernatorial hopeful and U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett toured the state Monday to announce his jobs plan. His proposal includes dozens of specific steps toward the goals of filling jobs immediately, overhauling the S.C. Department of Commerce, providing comprehensive tax and incentive reform, promoting tourism, making the state a leader in energy independence, improving infrastructure and fighting federal mandates and unfair labor laws. ‘South Carolina is in its worst economic drought since the Great Depression. More than 270,000 of our state’s citizens are out of work. So today I am offering this aggressive plan to put South Carolina back to work,’ he said.”
BARF-BAG-TWEET — @GinaNSmith Spent the day flying around S.C. w/ Gresham Barrett for a story. So windy that little plane was flying sideways! Glad 2 b back on ground!
COMPARE AND CONTRAST — The Greenville News provides an exhaustive review of the rest of the field’s – GOP and DEM – jobs plans as well.
SCORING POINTS — Lt. Governor Andre Bauer reiterated his regret for his comments over the weekend comparing those who take public assistance to stray animals, but some are starting to question the motives behind the statement. ‘The comments came across as unnecessarily cruel, and perhaps a bit tin ear,’ said Scott Huffmon, a Winthrop University political science professor and pollster. ‘However, I do believe the message was delivered. So, I do believe the message was targeted to try to win those voters over, and I think those voters got the message loud and clear, and he’s trying to help himself in the Republican primary.’”
GOOSE TO YOUR MAVERICK? Bauer sets the standard for helping the media include fantastic photos in their stories.
VIEWPOINT — MAN IN THE MIRROR — Dr. Paul Thomas, who teaches at Furman University and is the author of Reading, Learning, Teaching Ralph Ellison thinks, “Bauer’s comments in part are the result of a common error made by many speakers – just because you can make an analogy doesn’t make that comparison valid. But more important than his rhetorical flaw is that Bauer is both demonstrably wrong and, far more significantly, a stark reflection of how we view and treat poor children in public schools in South Carolina and across the nation. When we look at and listen to Bauer, the reality is that we have met the enemy, and he is us. Two powerful cultural myths drive Bauer’s comments, and run through our school system.”
STATEWIDE — SC develops new report card grading method
MYRTLE BEACH — Ex-governor tapped for Hall of Fame
LORIS — Storm’s winds yank off home’s roof
SCETV — TV broadcast to focus on paying for college
SPARTANBURG — Foundation elects Poole to trusteeship
LAKE HARTWELL — Local group offers safe boating course
GREENWOOD — Party with a purpose
GREENVILLE — Final Chapter For The Open Book
FLORENCE — Recruits get patriotic send off
FAIRNESS DOCTRINE — State Sen. Yancey McGill wants to look at reducing ethics fines on politicians. “There’s a thing called fairness … there’s something called … abusive.”
DAYBOOK — The Ambassadors for Economic Development Awards Presentation is today at 4:00 p.m. on the State House Grounds
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION — “Real estate agents and local government officials were unable to settle their differences Monday on a bill changing the way property is valued for tax purposes when it is sold. The bill would change the so-called point-of-sale provision in a 2006 statewide property tax reform bill. That provision changed a property’s tax value to its market price on sale.”
FINALLY THIS — HEROES — “As well-wishers from police departments across the region filled her father’s hospital room Friday afternoon, Sydney DeGrow, 9, slipped quietly across the hall and sat down with a magenta sparkle pen and a notebook. The day before, a burglary suspect had shot her dad, Charleston County Deputy Jeffrey DeGrow, in the head and arm. One bullet went through part of his eye and was still lodged in his skull. Sydney has blond hair and freckles on her nose. She loves to write, and in a corner of a waiting room, she sat at a table and let the words tumble out. ‘Have you ever heard of a hero? Like Superman or batman? Well my dad is a hero! Let me tell you what happened,’ she wrote.”
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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