GOP calm as storm clouds gatherDorchester Republicans clam up as Collins tries to get on ballot as independent against nominee Rose By Brian Hicks (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Post and Courier Mike Rose 
The Post and Courier Bill Collins Rose defeats Randy Scott to reclaim seat published 06/11/08 Collins vies for Senate published 07/17/08 SUMMERVILLE — Normally, you can't stop people from talking about politics around here. It dominates conversations in restaurants, downtown stores and barbershops — at least until the primary is over. That's because the debate in this GOP-dominated county is mostly over which Republican they like. But this year one race is not so clear-cut, and it threatens to divide the normally unified Republican Party and extend the bickering into the fall. And that has many folks keeping their opinions to themselves, for now. "We haven't heard anything," said Lisa Nickel, manager at The Continental Corner, a restaurant the natives frequent. "Sometimes a bus boy will come back and say, 'They're going at it,' but there's been none of that lately." This morning, Dorchester County election officials will begin verifying names on a petition to put local publisher Bill Collins on the November ballot as an independent to face Republican nominee Mike Rose for the District 38 state Senate seat. Rose, a former senator, beat incumbent Sen. Randy Scott by taking 52 percent of the vote in the June primary. With no Democrat bothering to run, it looked like the seat was Rose's — again. But turns out it may not be that easy. After Rose's win, Collins threw his hat in the ring, saying folks needed another choice. That's because a decade after he left office, Rose remains a controversial figure here. More plain-spoken than most Southern politicians, folks here either love him or hate him. It took about a month for Collins to get 4,696 names on a petition. If roughly two-thirds of those check out as registered voters, he'll be on the ballot. And his supporters say he'll win. "A number of people have moved in here who don't know Mike Rose," said Pat Allan at Berlin G. Meyers Lumber Co. "Most Summerville residents familiar with Rose don't want him in (the Senate)." Allan supported Scott in the primary but is going with Collins if he gets on the ballot. He predicts the independent will win this one. The Republican Party is not convinced. Chairman Arthur Bryngelson said there will be a lot of Republicans who turn out in November, and a great many of them will vote a straight ticket. Collins, he said, probably won't have much of a chance. "I haven't found the first person who signed the petition who think he's going to win," Bryngelson said. Collins concedes that party is the steepest hill he has to climb. He said he needs to convince people to vote for the man, not the party, and let the chips fall where they may. "The seat belongs to the people, not me and not Mike Rose," Collins said. "It's whoever they want to serve. If I win, I'll be full time. If I don't, I'll go back to poor golf and my magazine." Collins is a former publisher of the Summerville Journal Scene, a subsidiary of Evening Post Publishing Co. The Republican Party has made no secret of its disapproval of Collins' after-the-primary emergence. Bryngelson said they will conduct a campaign if they have to, but many Republicans are clearly unhappy. Some shop owners who allowed Collins to leave petitions were threatened with boycotts. Party officials say that's just folks exercising their freedom to choose where they shop. Now, even those who support Rose — "He has experience, he can get things done," one woman said — do not want to talk publicly about the race. That might be the effect of the cold wind of partisanship. One waitress at Flowertown Restaurant, who also would not give her name, said, "People will punch you if you don't like their candidate." She's only half-kidding. Even Rose is not much interested in talking about the race at this point. Contacted Tuesday, he said only, "I think things are going great." Rose might have to wait several weeks to see if he has to campaign. Election officials can't predict how long it will take to verify or strike the better part of 4,700 names. They have until Aug. 15 to turn their findings over to the State Election Commission. But once those results are in, folks say, and there is a race, Summerville will be quiet no longer. "When he gets on the ballot, you'll hear a lot more I think," said Bobbie Mazell, manager at Eva's Restaurant, a popular downtown meeting spot. Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 23 comment(s)
Posted by zoomru on July 23, 2008 at 6:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WHAT???
"..Chairman Arthur Bryngelson said there will be a lot of Republicans who turn out in November, and a great many of them will vote a straight ticket. Collins, he said, probably won't have much of a chance...."
Arthur Bryngelson.....you Ravenel'er !! This is just the type of attitude that sunk the TITANIC. I can't believe YOU are chairMAN? Who do you hang out with ...WES and WESLEY? Spokesmen for Graham-nista and Deminto?? I highly suggest you don't take ANY votes for granted. NONE!! Does Katon Dawson take votes for granted?? I know Mark Sanford doesn't. We need people in office who know how to solve problems..not put up BARICADES! Arthur "Bye Bye" Bryngelson...do you know that Senator Graham-nista had to be called to MOVE SAND?? SAND?? Sounds to me Arthur..that we need to find some people with some BACKHOES and a BACKBONE!
Bobbie Mazell....do you have a backhoe to go with some FRIES?? You.. Sir may need to relieve Arthur of his duties!! You do know how to run a business! I highly suggest you print this response out and put it out as a placemat for your diners to read as you are prepping their meals. Dorchester VOTERs are to be taken seriously and NOT for GRANTED!! (NOT to mention...it will bring in business to boot! You can autograph these suckers if they ask!)
Mike and Bill.....GAME ON !! And you don't need some commission to tell you that either! I highly suggest some serious some eye to eye combat with all citizens,.. voters or NOT.
Bill ...did you find that OLD COUCH?? Get down to EVA's and have people join you on the sidewalk or parking lot while seated with you. Get a cabana if you BURN to easily. Say hello to EVA...
Mike....you may be hangin' at the Rotary and that's a good start; but buy some fresh ROSES and get down to EVA's fine eating establishment and .....LISTEN and of course pass out some roses.
this message brought to you by the Spirit of PATTON !!
Posted by moonpie on July 23, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
zoom ??? calm down bro'
Collins needs to just run as an independent. The party official that believes people vote a straight ticket, those days are over. I look at every individual now and will especially do so this year. No Graham, no Brown for me!
Rose had his issues when he was in office.
Posted by zoomru on July 23, 2008 at 6:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Arthur...
Political Battlefield 101... listen up!
"..Dorchester Republicans clam up.."
What? Your going to sit there and take this? Are you a CLAM?
I highly suggest you call into the MORNING BUZZ (843-556-1250) and sound like ORCA.."The Killer Whale". Neither Repub or DEM in this state hides from anyone!! You mean you have to call Lindse' Suave' Graham-nista to go into attack mode?? Get your backside down to EVA's and get a Photo OP with Bill and Mike to run in every paper in the state...FRONTPAGE too boot. We south carolinians are a TEAM! Take Roberto Ford-asa or James "Grand Master Flash" Clyburn with you to show some teamwork. Besides, Bobbie Mazell would appreciate the business and recognition. To complete your juorney, load up and cruise on down to Folly Beach and feel the BREEZE. I discovered WIND here for our state's first location for a coastal WINDFARM to lead the country!!
Get Busy...CLAMMER !!
Posted by ChrisPia on July 23, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I For one find this race very interesting.All Mr Collins has to do is his homework and He will win.I like it Peaceful though.Good Luck to Both.
Posted by jeff61 on July 23, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think zoomru and thomas are related
Posted by singleroni on July 23, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
REPUBLICAN FOR 35 YEARS- NOT ANY MORE- INDEPENDENT- NE4VER TO VOTE STRAIGHT TICKET AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOR WILL THE REST OF MY FAMILY- THANKS GRAHAM!!
Posted by wpc3iop on July 23, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
zoomru hasn't taken his "calm down" meds today...
Posted by CaptPete on July 23, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Collins stands a good chance. I think it was low down to call out shop owners for having petitions.
Posted by jeff61 on July 23, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe zoomru has been riding the SKYTRAN to much
Posted by theronce on July 23, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good luck to Collins. I'm still looking for a president and a senator. Just when we need some leadership, I can't find anyone. That just doesn't sound like America. I keep up with the locals where I am, and I'm new in this particular place. If I have a doubt in the booth, I will vote against the incumbant.
Posted by zoomru on July 23, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm just glad people remember what I STAND for.....does any elected official comment to let you know where they stand or how they really view a subject? In no way am I totally ironclad on any subject; but I do offer specifics as do many of you. We are NOT going to tolerate this behavior from these people. I DON'T CARE WHO THEY THINK THEY ARE ...WE are ALL CREATED EQUAL and before the LAW. If we don't stand together or work together...we will continue to get creamed. ANTS get more done in this STATE..just walk outside and look for an ANT hill! They are free to come a go as they please; but they work together!
Posted by ChrisPia on July 23, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SECTION 7-11-85. Verification of petition; bases for rejection of petitioners.
Every signature on a petition requiring five hundred or less signatures must be checked for validity by the respective county board of voter registration against the signatures of the voters on the original applications for registration on file in the registration board office. When a petition requires more than five hundred signatures, every one of the first five hundred signatures must be checked for validity and at least one out of every ten signatures thereafter beginning with the five hundred and first signature must be checked for validity. If the projected number of valid signatures, using this percentage method for the signatures over five hundred plus the number of valid signatures in the first five hundred, total at least the number of signatures required by law on the petition, it must be certified as a valid petition. No petition, however, may be rejected if the number of signatures over five hundred checked using the percentage method plus the number of valid signatures in the first five hundred does not total at least the number required by law. If insufficient signatures are found using the percentage method in order to certify as a valid petition, the board of voter registration must check every signature over five hundred separately, or such number over five hundred until the required number of valid signatures is found.
If it is a petition seeking to certify a new political party or if the office for which the petition has been submitted comprises more than one county, and using the percentage method of checking does not result in the required number of valid signatures, the executive director of the Commission shall designate which counties must check additional signatures.
No signatures on a petition may be rejected if the address of a voter, registration certificate number of a voter, or the precinct of a voter, as required by Section 7-11-80, is missing or incorrect if the signature is otherwise valid. The signature of a voter may only be rejected if it is illegible and cannot be found in the records of the board of voter registration, is missing from the petition, or is not that of the voter, or if the registration of the voter has been deleted for any of the reasons named in items (2) or (3) of Subsection (C) of Section 7-3-20.
The board of voter registration shall complete a summary form containing the results of checking any petition and must give the completed form to the requesting authority. The form used for this purpose must be prescribed and provided by the executive director.
Posted by charlestonnative1963 on July 23, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I voted Republican for the last time...I decided in 05 that enough was enough, its time to let the other side have a shot at it. I dont care if Obama is Muslim, Jewish, or agnostic. I don't care who people marry-who they drink or whether they will allow an abortion or not...I want jobs-gas-and food. As for these little local elections---Im not concerned with them either.
Posted by zoomru on July 23, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on Rose-y.......
"..Rose might have to wait several weeks to see if he has to campaign..."
you mean your going to take these votes for granted? Are you going to take this type of reporting?? Well...my friend, just where are you going to be in the next few weeks? Some voters may want to COME SEE YOU!! Once again..your showing real GENIOUS by not getting your email address or telephone number in print. DO you want the lowest voter turnout possible?? I can't believe someone would give you campaign funds and then read your going to be doing ...NOTHING?? The legislators may be on VACATION but you have not WON anything YET!! OH ...I get it....YOU want to be FRUGAL. If that's your excuse; then, I suggest people in Summerville and the rest of your sunshine up there "CLIP YOU SOME COUPONS"!! You need to show some sweat! These utility and public works workers dining at EVA's and Flowertown and the TASTEE-freeze need to see you grinding for their vote!! The VETS and their wives need to see you energized! Those salon ladies up there on their feet all day need to see some dust on your hushpuppies!
Seargeant ROSE....we South Carolinians DONT HOLD ANYTHING? We are ADVANCING! I don't want to read that you are waiting, holding, resting, pausing, or NAPPING! John Kerry already has his own NAP room. Do I make myself CLEAR!!
You are ADVANCING! I can whip out Google Earth and map out your campaign stops! I'll be Lewis and you'll be CLARK!!
And don't think for a second I mean "CLARK KENT" you rascal!! What kind of hunting DOG are you?? I hope your a good one! Old Yeller needs to tree some VOTES!!
Now ..Start Howling!!!!
Posted by amicus_non_ego on July 23, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
zoomru -
First off, is your caps lock broken or do you think randomly capitalizing words adds better emphasis to your incessant ramblings?
Secondly, do you really think the elected officials you seem to have a one way conversation with are reading your comments? It's actually kind of disturbing...
Seek therapy, stat.
Posted by zoomru on July 23, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alright "Wild Bill" Collins...."Politician UP!"
"...Collins concedes that party is the steepest hill he has to climb. He said he needs to convince people to vote for the man, not the party, and let the chips fall where they may..."
Bill....what kind of HILLS do you climb at PARTIES?? Are you going to be OUT of BREATHE climbing the statehouse STEPS!!
We here on the frontlines of TAXPAYER HILL are in tip top physical "SHAPE". Do I need to send you some fresh CARABINERS?? ALL I have in my backpack right now cannot exceed 150 pounds!! Do I need to send more than ONE?? How are you going to CONVINCE voters to vote for YOU? HOW??
Are you going to talk?? We hear plenty of that. Are you going to ....WHAT??
"WILD BILL" do you know what you need to do? You need to go down to the Tastee-Freeze and smooze with the "HIGH SCHOOL" crowd. That's right! They may not be old enough to VOTE ...BUT their Parents do! Those burger munchers will feel honored to go home and tell their parents how WRONG they are for voting a straight TICKET! Since your a publisher, I'm sure you can come up with a whiz bang flyer and "COLLINS BRIEF"! Heck get really progressive and hand out thumbs drives with a windows picture story slide show montage in your own words!! Its better than a pen and sticker!
Bill...Summerville got NO credit what-so-ever in the press for a fireworks SHOW over the Fourth...Its time for YOU to DELIVER!! You need a fresh haircut at the town barber shop and a sloppy blue plate special from every restaurant in your area every day until NOVEMBER!!
The "Battle of the BULGE" is upon YOU.....do you know what time it is?? You will not run OUT of GAS!! YOU are advancing!! Its time for everyone to know JUST WHO YOU ARE!!
IT IS HIGH NOON...WILD BILL! What look do you have on YOUR face???
Posted by Slick50 on July 23, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Collins....you get my vote!
Posted by amicus_non_ego on July 23, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
zoomru -
You are mentally retarded.
On a side note, stop copying and pasting the same comments you leave on EVERY blog in the state. Your capslock addiction is nauseating, and a conspicuous and easily recognized fingerprint...
That is all.
Posted by FiscalConservative on July 23, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by charlestonnative1963 on July 23, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"I voted Republican for the last time...I decided in 05 that enough was enough, its time to let the other side have a shot at it. I dont care if Obama is Muslim, Jewish, or agnostic. I don't care who people marry-who they drink or whether they will allow an abortion or not...I want jobs-gas-and food. As for these little local elections---Im not concerned with them either."
Good luck getting jobs and (cheap) gas! You will get food. I t will be handed out in a line with all the other unemployed people. They want to raise the corporate tax rate and our taxes also. Great way to spur business by taking their money. If they raise them too much these corporations will find it cheaper to move overseas than to operate here, which MANY already have. I don't care if they do. My profession is in high demand globally so I have no fear. The democratic base isn't so lucky. Who are they going to tax when the Top 5% leave?
Posted by Floger76 on July 23, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
charlestonnative1963 - so who has been in charge of congress for the last several years???
Posted by Spartan on July 23, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Collins ran a spirited independent campaign and Rose complained the whole way up to the executive committee of the local Republican party and demanded a meeting to make sure he was being supported by the party. Sounds like he's running scared. I like Allen's comment: "Most people who have moved here recently don't know about Rose". Well said.
Go Collins!
Posted by UrGatorbait on July 23, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nobody flogger....
Posted by Floger76 on July 23, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You got that right Gator.....And both sides have their biggest "nobody's" running for Prez.....