SC Dems Outraged By Sanford Second Summer Vacation

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement today in response to Governor Mark Sanford taking another vacation after being back on the job for less than a month. Sanford canceled pending work for the rest of the week.


"A good many South Carolina families with out-of-work breadwinners had been hoping their governor would stick around and look for ways to bring more jobs to the state. He's essentially been off the job for a month, and now he's off again for a week's vacation.

"Of course, unlike most South Carolinians, Mark Sanford gets paid whether he shows up for work or not. Once again it's clear that there is one set of rules for Sanford and another set of rules for everyone else," said Fowler.

SC Dems Condemn Sanford in New Video

The South Carolina Democratic Party today released a new web video, "No Laughing Matter," highlighting how Governor Mark Sanford's reckless behavior has made South Carolina into a national punchline that even leading national Republicans won't defend.

Governor Sanford's irresponsible conduct has made South Carolina into a national laughing stock, but his abuse of power is no laughing matter. When Americans think of South Carolina, we want them to think of our beautiful beaches and Southern hospitality, not lies and scandal. After embarrassing South Carolinians for two weeks, Governor Sanford expected to be able to return to work with no questions asked. This latest admission from Mark Sanford is precisely the reason why we've pushed the Attorney General and Republican legislative leaders to investigate all of the Governor's activities related to his extramarital affair. South Carolinians need to know if Governor Sanford's reckless, irresponsible behavior constituted illegal behavior," said S.C. Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler.

To view the SCDP's web video "No Laughing Matter," visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txdZB8bVYEg

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement today in response to Governor Mark Sanford's admission to having more encounters with this mistress than he previously disclosed.

"This latest admission from Mark Sanford is precisely the reason why we've pushed the Attorney General and Republican legislative leaders to investigate all of the Governor's activities related to his extramarital affair. South Carolinians need to know if Governor Sanford's reckless, irresponsible behavior constituted illegal behavior," said Fowler.

SCDP Chair Responds to Sanford South American Trip

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement today in response to recent developments in Governor Mark Sanford's disappearance. Sanford returned to South Carolina today from a seven day trip to Argentina. His staff previously released a statement saying the Governor was hiking along the Appalachian Trail.

"It is the height of irresponsibility for the Governor to walk out on his solemn duty to the people of South Carolina, and to be completely out of touch without making arrangements for those responsibilities to be handled in his absence.

When it comes to the real needs and concerns of South Carolinians, Mark Sanford has been pretty much missing in action for the last 6 and a half years. But it is not acceptable for him to be actually missing.

However, as disturbing as it is to walk out on your responsibilities without telling anyone, what's more troubling is that the Governor and his staff have been less than truthful about his whereabouts.

The people of this state are eager to hear a full explanation of the erratic behavior of the governor and his staff over the last few days," said Fowler.

SC Democratic Party Holds Virtual Town Hall Meeting For Sanford

All S.C. Residents Invited to Participate

In anticipation of Governor Mark Sanford's return to the state, the South Carolina Democratic Party will host a virtual town hall meeting today. The meeting is open to all residents who wish to ask questions to the governor who has been out of town (and out of touch) since last week.

"South Carolinians have been very concerned about Governor Sanford's actions over the last eight months. They have a right to ask the Governor about our state's unemployment rate, the stimulus and his reasons for abandoning the state. This virtual town hall meeting will give these concerned citizens a real opportunity to ask these questions," said SCDP Chair Carol Fowler.

The town hall meeting, which will be held on the SCDP website, begins today at 4 p.m. and will end when Sanford responds to the questions. Residents wishing to participate in the SCDP meeting should visit http://www.scdp.org/governor/.

SC Dem Chair Praises President Obama's Selection of Sotomayor

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler issued the following statement after President Obama announced his selection of Sonia Sotomayor as his nominee to the United States Supreme Court. When confirmed, Sotomayor will be the third woman to serve and the Court's first Hispanic justice.


"Nominating a justice to the Supreme Court of the United States is one of a President's most significant responsibilities. President Obama pledged to select a justice with a rigorous intellect, a mastery of the law and a commitment to impartial justice. He promised to choose someone with a broad perspective on how the world works and a commonsense understanding of how the law affects the daily realities of life.

"Today President Obama delivered on his promise with the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor. Judge Sotomayor's stirring life story and outstanding career - at nearly every level of our judicial system - make her uniquely qualified to serve as America's next Supreme Court Justice. She has been lauded as a fearless jurist, with an independent mind and a deep commitment to our constitutional traditions. I commend President Obama on his excellent choice and congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her nomination," said Fowler.

SCDP Announces 2009 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Speaker

Columbia, SC – South Carolina Democratic Party officials announced today that U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire will deliver the keynote address for the 2009 SCDP Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.

"Senator Shaheen will be a great addition to this year's Dem Weekend. It's an honor to have the first woman to serve as both a governor and U.S. Senator as our guest speaker. She is sure to inspire South Carolina Democrats as we prepare for the 2010 elections for governor and US Senate," said South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler.

This year's JJ Dinner will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The event is part of the SCDP's annual Dem Weekend, which includes the South Carolina State Democratic Convention.

Fowler said she was very pleased when she learned that Shaheen accepted the SCDP's invitation to speak at the Party's signature fundraiser.

"Senator Shaheen's story is inspirational. Her decision to re-challenge a Republican incumbent after a narrow loss in 2002 is a testament to the importance of perseverance," she said.

Elected in 2008, Shaheen is the first woman in U.S. history to serve as both a governor and U.S. Senator. The University of Mississippi graduate has been a champion of public education and health care.

SC Dem Chair Responds to Sanford Furman Visit

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler issued the following statement today in response to Governor Mark Sanford's address at Furman University. During an address to Furman's Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow, Sanford will make his first public statements on whether he will accept $700 million in aid from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Last week, state lawmakers urged Sanford to accept the funds after the Congressional Research Service issued an opinion stating an amendment in the stimulus bill that would allow the General Assembly to bypass the governor's decision may be unconstitutional.

"Maybe Mark Sanford's anti-stimulus views were applauded by the Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow, but the rest of South Carolina isn't cheering him on. In fact, we're ready for the governor to get in touch with reality. South Carolina desperately needs all of the funding it has been allocated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-our taxes will pay for it, whether or not our state uses the money. This is money that will go to keep public school teachers on the job. We can't afford to have any more layoffs or to lose this money to other states. It's time for Governor Sanford to do the right thing for South Carolinians," said Fowler.

State Democrats, Unemployed Workers: Sanford's Actions Hurt Real People

Columbia, SC- During a news conference in Columbia today, South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler, SC Senate Democratic Leader John Land, Rep. Leon Howard and a number of unemployed workers spoke out against Gov. Mark Sanford's rejection of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"We're here today to remind Governor Mark Sanford that his political posturing is hurting real people here in South Carolina. We want to tell everyone that although Mark Sanford is against the stimulus, other South Carolinians don't share his views," said South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler. "It's unbelievable. Governor Sanford doesn't want to use this money to keep South Carolina teachers, firefighters, and police officers on the job."

She said Sanford's philosophy does not work and he'd rather show the country he holds tight to his Republican principles than to help his state. Fowler quoted Rock Hill Mayor Doug Echols in saying that Sanford "appears to be out of touch with reality on this."

"It doesn't seem to matter to the governor that thousands of South Carolinians are in danger of losing homes because they're losing jobs. His big housing worry is whether he'll get the full $3.5 million when he sells his beach house - so he can build his dream home on the family plantation," said Fowler.

Land and Howard also discussed how Sanford's refusal of portions of the stimulus affects South Carolinians.

Land said he can't understand Sanford's stimulus decision, which will only benefits other states.

"Other states are saying 'please turn (it) down, I want the money'," he said. "The Republican governor in Florida and the Republican governor in California say 'yeah turn it down. Send it to us. We'll put our people to work. We'll make jobs for them.'"

"It's a shame when our governor is playing politics with our constituents," said Howard. "He knows the General Assembly will accept this money because we have no other choice. Our constituents need it."

The Dist. 76 Representative urged Sanford to stop using scare tactics with SC's working families.
"People are under enough stress (and) pressure as it relates to economics," said Howard. "This state has the second highest unemployment in the country."

Harrell Comments on Recent DNC Political Attack Ad

House Speaker Bobby Harrell commented on the recent political attack ad launched by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The commercial is in response to criticisms that Republican leaders have had for much of the wasteful and irresponsible spending included in the stimulus bill passed by Congress without a single Republican vote in the House.

Speaker Harrell commented:

“I did not give the DNC permission to use my picture, and I am requesting that they remove my picture from their political attack commercial immediately. Just weeks ago, the South Carolina Democratic Party was sending out press releases condemning me and other South Carolina Republican leaders for our criticisms of the irresponsible spending included in the so-called stimulus bill passed by Congress. These inconsistent actions should show the public the steps Democrats are willing to take in order to protect their pork projects included in this spending package.

“I believe that all of the stimulus spending except the infrastructure money is a terrible mistake, and I fully supported South Carolina’s entire Republican Congressional Delegation in their decision to vote against this so-called stimulus bill. I agree that if Washington would allow it, eliminating debt would be a good use of these funds, but if they will not, we should not send our taxpayers' money to other states and cause our taxpayers, and more importantly our children and grandchildren, to pay the bill for other states.”

DNC Ad Calls on Mark Sanford to Stop “Playing Politics”

The Democratic National Committee today released a new television ad entitled “Playing Politics” that calls on South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford to stop playing politics with federal job creation and economic recovery funds. The ad, which will begin airing in Columbia on Monday, outlines the deepening economic challenges facing South Carolina’s working families. Despite record unemployment and soaring foreclosures, Governor Sanford is kowtowing to the Rush Limbaugh-led obstructionist wing of his political party by rejecting $700 million in money to create jobs, improve our health care system and improve our schools.

As the ad notes, a bipartisan group of South Carolina leaders – including Democratic Congressman James Clyburn, Republican Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer, and Republican State House Speaker Bobby Harrell – have criticized Governor Sanford for putting political posturing ahead of job creation in South Carolina. The ad can be viewed here.

“Mark Sanford needs to stop playing politics with economic recovery and job creation in South Carolina,” said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Brad Woodhouse. “At a time when his state is suffering from crippling unemployment and more and more families are losing their homes, South Carolina’s working families cannot afford for their governor to be distracted by empty political posturing. If Mark Sanford is worried about his political future, all he needs to do is focus on working with leaders from both parties who want to use the economic recovery funds to help create jobs, fix our schools, reform our health care system, make America energy independent, and lay the foundation for long-term growth in the 21st Century.”

SC Dems Applaud Sanford Ad

Governor Mark Sanford will be getting a little more airtime on South Carolina's cable television networks next week, but the media attention won't necessarily be positive.

The Democratic National Committee announced today it will begin airing an ad criticizing Sanford for not accepting all of the funds allocated for South Carolina under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The 30-second ad will begin airing on Monday on cable television in Columbia.

"South Carolina Democrats are very pleased with the Democratic National Committee's television ad," said South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler. "It helps us give Mark Sanford the type of media attention he deserves. Over the last few months, our governor has shown us that he is more concerned with being in the national spotlight than with the well-being of South Carolina's working families. They deserve to have their voices heard and this ad will encourage them to tell Mark Sanford to stop playing politics."

SC Dems: "Sanford's Philosophy Hurts More Than Helps"

Columbia, SC –In another apparently successful attempt to make the national news, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford has said that he wants to use stimulus funds to pay off the state's debt-something he knows he cannot really do.

SC is expected to receive $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These funds will be used to create or retain jobs, improve education, and complete infrastructure projects.

Sanford has some say over only $700 million of these vitally needed funds, and chose today to try to heighten the drama over his anti-stimulus posturing, said Carol Fowler, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

"So far the only leadership Sanford has shown is his ability to draw lights, cameras and microphones to stimulate national interest in his presidential ambitions. There is never any action. This is a time that we really need competent leadership from our governor, not partisan ideology. South Carolina is in a state of economic turmoil. Our unemployment rate was at a whopping 10. 4 percent in January and we're steadily losing more jobs," said Fowler. "The least Mark Sanford could have done is step up for South Carolina's working families who are depending on national help because the Republicans running SC haven't gotten the job done."

The SCDP chair said she believes Sanford's decision is based on strict Republican Party ideologies and not the actual needs of the state. "He would rather that money go to New Jersey or Michigan than have it come here, " she said.

"Mark Sanford is one of those so-called mavericks whose cloak of ideological purity hides an inability to display real leadership – an ability to react to changing situations and reach out to others through compromise. No great political task has ever been accomplished without such statesmen. We can only hope that legislative leaders of both parties will get the job done without Sanford's support," Fowler said.

"The stimulus will help to improve the quality of life in South Carolina. We stand to gain and retain thousands of jobs under the stimulus bill. I applaud President Obama's efforts to bring us out of this economic crisis. I also applaud Congressmen Spratt and Clyburn for their determination to make sure South Carolina received our share of these funds, even as Republicans like Senator DeMint and Congressman Wilson were fighting against help for their constituents."

Fowler: Republican’s Voter ID Bill Unnecessary

Carol Fowler, chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, issued the following statement Friday in response to the S.C. House’s passage on Thursday of a bill that would require voters to present government-issued photo IDs in order to vote.

“Once again, South Carolina’s Republican House members have chosen to solve a problem that doesn’t exist instead of doing the important work they were sent to do. Rather than find ways to solve this state’s economic difficulties, they spent their time this week looking for ways to keep folks from voting.

“They were unable to produce any examples of people impersonating voters, but they have passed an expensive requirement that everyone produce a government- issued photo ID at the polls. There has been no case of voter fraud that would have been prevented by this law, but Republican House members spent hours on it anyway.

“Republican House Speaker Bobby Harrell knows the math and is familiar with the odds of voter suppression. He knows that a high percentage of the elderly voters who lack driver’s licenses vote Democratic. For every needless obstacle his party erects, eligible voters will be turned away from exercising their most fundamental right as citizens.

“South Carolina Democrats will continue to fight this issue in the S.C. Senate and wherever else our voices can be heard.”

SC Dems Oppose Photo ID Bill

S.C. House Republicans took a step backward with today’s passage of a bill which requires citizens to present a state-issued photo ID before they can vote, said Carol Fowler, chair of the S.C. Democratic Party.

The bill would primarily affect those who don’t have a driver’s license because they’re too poor to own a car or too old to drive one. House Republicans provided no reason to justify the measure, and no means to pay for it. The bill now moves to the S.C. Senate.

“South Carolinians stood for hours in lines last fall to exercise their right to vote. Now State House Republicans who so often decry needless government bureaucracy are creating yet another waiting line for voters and another expense for taxpayers,” Fowler said.

“Republicans saw the massive turnout at the polls last November, and they’re running scared,” Fowler said. “This is their attempt to impose a new burden on voters, draining citizens’ time and running up the costs of elections.”

“Democrats will continue to fight this injustice in the Senate,” she said. “We will push for a sensible plan that drops the House’s new bureaucratic hurdle to voting, and will allow citizens to vote early – without excuse. Our goal is to make voting easier and less costly both for citizens and taxpayers.”

Around the country, Republicans have been introducing photo ID bills, which they justify by raising the specter of voter fraud. Yet, in S.C. House hearings on the bill, election officials and even Republican supporters of the bill said they were not aware of any instances of the kind of voter fraud that the photo ID restriction would supposedly prevent.

Photo identification requirements have become the most common way to suppress votes based on “imprecise and inflated claims of ‘voter fraud,’” according to a 2007 report by the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law. “Such photo ID laws are effective only in preventing individuals from impersonating other voters at the polls — an occurrence more rare than getting struck by lightning,” the study says.

House Democrats Unveil 2009 Legislative Agenda

Job creation, economic sustainability, and cigarette tax among top priorities

Democratic members of the House unveiled a progressive agenda on Tuesday that included creating jobs, supporting initiatives that encourage economic sustainability, and passing a cigarette tax plan that would make health care accessible for uninsured South Carolinians.

“Our state and nation are facing severe economic times, and we must work together in a bipartisan effort to ensure that the needs of South Carolinians are met,” said Minority Leader, Harry Ott. “Democrats in the House are focused and ready to pursue a progressive agenda to move our state forward,” said Ott.

The House Democratic Caucus agenda includes:

Creating Jobs – South Carolina is currently facing the highest unemployment rate in 25 years. At 8.4 percent, we are the third worst in the nation. We must create an environment that encourages businesses to locate in South Carolina.

Economic Sustainability – After cutting hundreds of millions of dollars from the state budget, more cuts are facing South Carolina. We must create a non-partisan advisory committee to assess our current tax policies along with revenue projections. We must work towards a pro-growth tax structure that provides revenue for important programs and services while protecting families and small businesses. We must also strengthen our re serve funds.

Cigarette Tax – After failing to receive the two thirds vote to overturn the Governor’s veto of H. 3567, the cigarette tax increase failed to pass last session. It is essential that the General Assembly pass a 50 cent cigarette tax increase that would insure the revenue received would qualify for matched federal funds. The additional revenues must be used to make health care more accessible for uninsured South Carolinians. We must also support and encourage smoking prevention and cessation programs.

Pay-Day Lending – At a time of economic uncertainty, we must ensure that our constituents are protected from predatory payday and title lending practices. We will support regulations that protect consumers such as lending caps, a database to track the loans being issued, a limit of one outstanding loan, and extended payment plans.

Rural Infrastructure – Investing in our state’s rural infrastructure not only encourages economic development, but it creates jobs for the 77,000 unemployed South Carolinians. We must capitalize on the opportunity to receive federal funds for local community projects through the proposed federal Economic Stimulus Plan. We must also invest in broadband accessibility to all South Carolina residents.

Education – We must ensure that every child be given the opportunity to obtain a high qualit y education and reach his or her God given potential. It is no longer acceptable for the South Carolina Constitution to provide for a “minimally adequate” education for our children. We will support a joint resolution to change the wording of the South Carolina Constitution to read “high quality.”

Early Voting - We must allow South Carolinians every opportunity possible to exercise their right to vote. We will support legislation that provides voters the opportunity to vote up to 15 days prior to a statewide election. We will also support allowing local election offices the authority to establish additional early voting locations.

S.C. House Democrats Elect Leadership Team

On Tuesday, December 2, the S.C. House Democratic Caucus reconvened during organizational session to elect the leadership team for the 2009-2010 Legislative Session.

Representative Harry Ott from Calhoun County will continue to lead the House Democratic Caucus in his third term as House Minority Leader. “I am honored to continue serving as the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives,” Ott stated. I look forward to continuing our work as we move forward on important issues that concern all South Carolinians,” said Ott.

Other elected Caucus Officers included Representative Joe Neal (Richland & Sumter Counties) as Assistant Minority Leader, Representative Cathy Harvin (Clarendon & Williamsburg County) as Deputy Minority Leader, Representative Laurie Funderburk (Kershaw County) as Treasurer, Representative Chris Hart (Richland County) as Secretary, Representative Walt McLeod (Lexington & Newberry Counties) as Parliamentarian, and Representative Carl Anderson (Georgetown & Williamsburg Counties) as Chaplain.

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