THE PEOPLE AND ISSUES OF THE 1996 U.S. SENATE RACE
What's important? What isn't important?
Charlie Thompson's assessment of the race.
I'm holding up the Feb. 15 Edition of USA TODAY.
The front page article pointed out that the U.S. Senate Energy Committee had allowed nearly SIXTY MILLION Dollars to be wasted on BAD SCIENCE. Who says we don't need people with technology experience in the Senate?
FIRST, A DOSE OF POLITICAL REALITY
Why 1996?.......A larger than usual number of Senators will be retiring or are expected to lose their race in 1996. If we vote Strom Thurmond back into office his eventual replacement will be far down on the list when choice committee assignments are made. Thurmond's senority may or may not be useful now. However, the real question is what will our seniority situation be in the near future?
The time to move to our next generation of Senators is NOW.
We can lose this election......Somehow the South Carolina Republican party has managed to forget what a nail biter election night was in 1994. David Beasley, in a state that voted heavily Repubican in 1992, faced one of the less savory of Democrats, yet won by an eyelash. About 40% of this state will vote Democratic no matter what. If even eleven percent of the independent voters decide Senator Thurmond isn't up to the job then the race is over for the Republicans. That's why the Repubican party needs a strong, quality, candidate to run against Senator Thurmond in the primary.
The Republican leadership must give the voters a chance to make their choice in the primary or those voters will turn to the Democrats in the general election.
Our campaign button with the 1996 slogan: "Because Good Government doesn't have to be Science Fiction".
THE SYSTEM
1.) Papers, television and radio make a lot of money from political 'spots'. As such they report the status of a candidate's pocketbook almost as much (maybe more!) than they report the message. Charlie had a strong showing in 1992 (25% of the vote) yet 'potential' candidates (with more money) are getting media coverage while the announced candidate (Charlie Thompson) is lucky to get a line of print.
2.) Each political party has an organization known as the 'National Senatorial Committee' by law that body may give $17,500 to a candidate for use in the primary and/or general eleciton. The law setting up this committee is one of the first that should be revoked. The campaign money this 'party' committee can insert into a race is one reason why the 'party' leadership can insure YOUR Senator does what THEY want him (or her) to do. A challenger must not only take on an incumbent but must also fight the Washington money that by law a 'party' can put into a race to protect an incumbent that has voted the 'party' line rather than the interests of that state.
OUR BUMPER STICKER
Actual size: 3.5 inches by 15 inches
USE IT ON YOUR CAR AND KEEP CAMPAIGN COSTS DOWN!
CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT
.........Strom Thurmond: Respected 'senior' Senator. Many Republicans in the state feel they cannot deny another term to the man that made the South Carolina Republican Party. The break-up with his second wife and the death of a daughter by a hit and run driver have visibly aged him but it has also insured a certain amount of 'sympathy' vote.
.......Thurmond's occasional 'slips' are beginning to worry S.C. Republicans. Any incident that shows a Thurmond weakness just before the election will certainly cost the Republicans this Senate seat. News reports regarding his 'difficulties' will certainly increase as the Democratic National Committee gets ready to take on what they consider the eventual winner of the Republican primary. (Boy are they in for a surprise!)
......Harold Worley: A North Myrtle Beach owner of commercial property. A former Democrat and admitted voter for Clinton in 1992 Mr. Worley might be discounted as a strong candidate except for his pledge to spend $600,000 on the primary. Such numbers always get the attention of the press. His main interest seems to be the fact that the highway system near Myrtle Beach has been the stepchild of S.C. and the Federal government's programs. (Charlie has noted the need for work on that area's roads since his campaign opened in August of '95.) Another concern of those in the Republican party is that Mr. Worley might just be in the race to damage Thurmond beyond repair. (A '92 Ross Perot scenario played out in the South Carolina U.S. Senate race.) Certainly his late entrance in the race has dramatically changed the dynamics of the situation.
......Charlie Thompson: A 5'7" guy with a 6'4" backbone.
......Elliot Close, Democrat. The Democrats see Mr. Close not only as a 'rich' candidate but also as one that will counter the support Roger Millikan normally gives to Republicans. It is likely that Mr. Millikan will look favorably upon a U.S. Senate effort by fellow textile owner (Spring Mills) Elliot Close.
I, Charlie Thompson, hope you will not only look at my campaign but that of every other person trying to make a difference. Vote your heart and head, not the polls. The favorite weapon of the professional politicians is this phrase:
"Don't waste your vote, he (or she) doesn't stand a chance."
I agree, don't waste your vote. Vote for what YOU want and that vote will never be wasted! Vote in the primary....that's where YOU have the greatest impact on politicians.