We like a lot of things about our country around here, but I stumbled across something this morning that surprised me. Take a minute and read this CNN account of the Democratic primary winner for one of South Carolina’s Senate seats.
Greene’s unlikely to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Jim DeMint. Still, what the heck is going on in this race? Here are a few things that bothered me:
1) It reads to me like South Carolina has a hefty filing fee to run for this office. I can’t find a filing fee in Wisconsin. Slate has this article with hints to the other states. I’d love to see a state-by-state comparison. Something tells me states with a high barrier to entry will be the states that traditionally struggle with race issues. Call me naive, but I was dumbfounded by this news.
2) They’re labeling him mentally ill. I’m really thinking I don’t have to go there with you all again.
3) No, he doesn’t look like the traditional candidate. But guess what? He won the slot. I just don’t see how that can be taken from him.
This will be an interesting sideshow as campaign season heats up.
Personally, I love this story. Watching the Democrats wiggle on this one is nothing but fun. You would think they would be rooting for an unemployed, minority veteran who garnered 60% of the statewide vote. And that felony charge means nothing unless he’s convicted. Apparently, whoever does the vetting and background checks for the White House was also called in for this Primary.
And since we are discussing politics. Our President is finding out that a history of voting ‘present’ is not very good training for the everyday and tough issues a president faces. And he still chooses golf stances over Gulf issues. That fellow Nero did what as Rome burned… I don’t think golf was around then.
Regarding the oil spill, it makes me sad to watch this
http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:45685.asx?bkup=49182
Randy – you know, you’re right. It is fun to watch the Dems – even the White House! – wiggle around on this one.
It’s the filing fee that got me going.
Anthony, it is sad. I guess if nothing else this oil well failure has taught us yet again that man indeed has limits. It sounds like the push is on to capture all of the release. I hope that happens soon.
Cindy
Since this was a Dem. primary, is it the Dems. who set the fee or the state? I would assume the state.
I don’t find $10,440 that high for a statewide election. I would suspect that as Virginia, South Carolina is under the auspices of the Voting Rights Act and that would require the fee to be in line with other states. It’s usually the signatures that create a snag for potential candidates.
But I still love this story.
I know, for instance, that in Florida you can forgo the signature gathering and pay a fee. Maybe that’s at work here–but you shouldn’t have to pay that much to be on a ballot.
As for Greene, if there was any tampering, it needs to be addressed. Otherwise, he gets to be the nominee-regardless of whether or not anyone likes him. Elections have consequences. Maybe the SC Democratic Party should get their shit together.
But some states don’t have a fee at all!