West bio shows practical leader who dreamed

JUNE 10, 2011 — What’s missing in today’s overcharged, hyper-partisan world of South Carolina politics is the place at the table for thoughtful, practical leaders who think big.

One such man was the late Gov. John C. West of Camden, a gentle lion who dreamed big dreams to make the Palmetto State a better place.

Not much of a “new era” for SC

NOV. 5, 2010 — The headline in a local newspaper Wednesday after the GOP sweep in South Carolina was, “A New Era.”

Really?

Next governor has big challenges

OCT. 22, 2010 – Regardless of whether GOP Rep. Nikki Haley or Democratic Sen. Vincent Sheheen wins the state’s top elected position on Nov. 2, South Carolina’s next governor will start with a full plate of vexing issues.

Sheheen answers 10 questions

Questions, I’ve learned in more than 20 years of writing, never hurt anyone. It’s the pesky answers that cause problems for politicians.

Last week, we asked 10 questions of GOP gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley, whose campaign did not answer. This week, we asked 10 questions of her Democratic challenger, Sen. Vincent Sheheen. His campaign responded within 24 hours. You be the judge whether he answered questions fully.

To be transparent, you have to be seen

JULY 23, 2010 — South Carolina’s Queen of Transparency, GOP gubernatorial hopeful Nikki Haley, hasn’t been in the local media much lately.

For South Carolina Democrats, that’s because she’s caught in a media bubble by her campaign handlers in an attempt to bypass serious scrutiny for as long as possible.