SC Democratic leaders choose sides in Senate race (Dem primary keeps votes from Graham)

washingtontimes.com ^ | 5/17/14 | Jeffrey Collins

[cotton1706]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - After being saddled with candidates who have been an embarrassment to the party in the last two U.S. Senate elections, leaders of South Carolina’s Democratic Party aren’t taking any chances in 2014.

State Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Harrison is prominently backing state Sen. Brad Hutto in next month’s primary over unknown businessman Jay Stamper for the seat now held by Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

The two-term Graham has his own GOP primary against six relatively unknown challengers the same day.

Party leaders tend to stay out of their own races to avoid appearing like parents who favor one particular child. But in South Carolina, a few wayward ‘children’ have led Democrats to rethink their approach.

Stamper’s candidacy is a case in point. Harrison points out Stamper has a felony conviction in Nevada; has repeatedly redirected the websites of politicians he doesn’t like to white supremacy or cannibalism-support pages; and only moved to the state a year ago, apparently just to run for office.

Harrison said all that left him little choice but to back Hutto to save face and avoid yet another embarrassing election cycle.

“We have had people run where them winning has not been in the best interest of the Democratic Party,” Harrison said. “Jay Stamper is in that situation.”

The feud between Harrison and Stamper spilled on to Twitter last month with Stamper telling Harrison “It wouldn’t hurt to support candidates who agree with you.”

[cotton1706]

We all know that if democrats can't get their own candidate to win the senate seat, they'd love to have Graham over any of the real republicans running against him.

But with a primary on the democrat side too, there should be less crossover votes to try to help Graham get over 50%.

At least, that's my hope.

[ObamahatesPACoal]

Down With Tyranny was calling Hutto a bad guy and the other guy a true liberal.

[ObamahatesPACoal]

Hutto would almost be identical to Graham on amnesty, judges, gun control and taxes.

The difference he won’t be on the Sunday shows.

[House Atreides]

“...with a primary on the democrat side too, there should be less crossover votes to try to help Graham get over 50%.

At least, that’s my hope.”
*******************************************************************

I think that is the hope of all of us here on FR. With the exception, of course, of the small number of FR members who are also active in the League of RINO Incumbent Protectors.

[upchuck]

Thanks for the post.

Uber RINO Lindsey Ping
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[ObamahatesPACoal]

I dont think anyone at all wants to keep Graham the debate is who is the best in the runoff.

[PistolPaknMama]

At least, that's my hope.

You and me both!

[JRandomFreeper]

There are at least 3 GOP-E supporters on FR that I know of. It would not surprise me if they support Graham. They will be here to gloat and demoralize conservatives on primary night if Graham wins.

/johnny

[C. Edmund Wright]

Polls indicate it is Lee Bright...

[C. Edmund Wright]

Call em out and ping them….

[JRandomFreeper]

I've called 'em out before on the primary threads where they were gloating over establishment wins. They were noticeably absent in the most recent primaries where the establishment didn't win.

/johnny

[Luke21]

That’s what they do here in Az. also. The Dems don’t bother with anyone genuine running against McCain because he is one of them.

[ExCTCitizen]

I hope Graham will lose. Lee Bright should win...

[Steelers6]

I have a Bright idea, vote for Lee Bright on Tuesday if you live in South Carolina.