Get Out And Vote!

It doesn't matter which party you support, or what your views are on the issues. If you are eligible to vote on November 2 it is important that you exercise that most fundamental right. The people elected to office this year will play a major role in shaping the future of this nation, and those elected to state offices will shape the Congressional districts for the country.

Here's where my votes are going:

SC Governor - Vincent Sheheen (D)
I don't know that he will be any more successful at getting things done through the state Legislature than Mark Sanford was, but unlike his opponent Nikki Haley, I don't question his ethics or his integrity.


SC Lt. Governor - Ken Ard (R)
Admittedly I don't know a lot about either candidate, but unlike many I do think it is important that candidates for this office have some political experience. Ard has it, Ashley Cooper does not.

Secretary of State - Mark Hammond (R)
He's been doing the job for about 8 years and you hear virtually nothing about him. Surely that's a sign he's doing a fantastic job.

Treasurer - Curtis Loftis (R)
No Democrats filed to run. A shame, because one with a financial background might have had a good showing.

Attorney General - Alan Wilson (R)
I may change my mind on this one before I get in the voting booth. I think the fact he's been a prosecutor is important and sways me in his direction. The fact he's related to Joe Wilson pulls me toward Matthew Richardson.

Comptroller General - Robert Barber (D)
Richard Eckstrom has had a lengthy career in public service but he's made some very questionable decisions of late (read the FITSNews site for the sordid details). I'm not that enthused about Barber but if half of what is being said about Eckstrom is true he could do for the next governor what Thomas Ravenel did for Mark Sanford.

Superintendent of Education - Frank Holleman (D)
I am so sorely tempted to vote for Mick Zais because I like the idea of someone who has actually worked in education, but his stance on vouchers turns me off. Personally I think of all the state-wide offices this race has the best slate of candidates.

Adjutant General - Bob Livingston (R)
Only candidate for an office that has no business being an elected one.

Commissioner of Agriculture - Hugh Weathers (R)
What I really like about him is he is very willing to use ideas from "across the aisle" if he thinks its a good one. "Certified SC Grown" came out of his opponent's "Put Your State On Your Plate" idea 4 years ago. Like Adjutant General, this has no business being an elected office.

US Senate - Tom Clements (Green)
Jim DeMint is the worst kind of politician. He plays on emotion and red herrings to rile people up and support patently idiotic ideas. Unfortunately Alvin Greene makes Forrest Gump look like Marilyn Vos Savant. Clements gets my vote by default.

US House District 2 - Rob Miller (D)
Everything I've seen and read about Miller tells me he will be a very good Congressman. Joe Wilson has not been a bad Congressman (the "You Lie" incident excluded), but he's not been a good one either. He doesn't ever seem to have an original thought that isn't asinine. From where I sit he's done nothing to make things better in DC. It's time for someone else to give it a shot.

State House District 71 - Nathan Ballentine (R)
He's a bit too conservative for my liking, but he's a man of his word and he's an independent thinker. I will always prefer the latter two qualities in a politician.

Solicitor Circuit 5 - Dan Johnson (D)
Only candidate running. Not the one I'd voted for in the primaries.


School Board District 5
The only thing I know for sure is I'm not voting for Kim Murphy or Bruce Reeves. I need to look more into the other candidates.

Constitutional Amendments
Amendment 1 - No. I don't believe a measure like that belongs in the Constitution.

Amendment 2 - Yes. A secret ballot is a fundamental right.

Amendment 3 - Yes. I think a larger "rainy day" fund is a good idea for any entity.

Amendment 4 - No. I don't think the state should be restricted in this way. We can't predict what its financial needs will be down the road.