SC Yellow Dogs

Former President Bill Clinton will be guest of honor at a reception on Friday afternoon, May 18. South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler announced that the fundraising event will be held at a private home in Columbia.

“We are delighted that President Clinton has agreed to attend the reception,” said Fowler. “He is tremendously popular with South Carolina Democrats, and many of them will welcome an opportunity to see him again.”

The reception will take place while the former president is in Columbia to speak to the NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund event. For more information on the Democratic Party event and tickets, please call 803-799-7798.

Here’s a quick recap of Gov. John Edward’s speech at the SC Democratic Convention this past Saturday.

An important issue for America & SC is Race and Inequality
There are 2 Americas it’s a fantasy to believe that race hasn’t paid a price in the 2 Americas
We can do it we can do it together.
I want to be President b/c I want everyone in American to have the same chances I have.
There’s a great deal that can be done with the poverty in America.
Raise the min. wage, make it easier to establish unions, make it easier for kids to go to college.
We need to strengthen the American middle class.
On healthcare: We need to make sure that people are taken care of from the time they’re born until the time they die.
We need to get rid of Bush’s tax cuts for the rich.
What are you willing do to do? How much do you love this country?
The world needs to see America as an example for good again.
I’m proud I grew up in a small, rural, mill town in America.
We need a president who will stand up for eco. awareness.
“stand up for family farmers”
We need to show the world who we are. Show our better angles.
America is seen as a bully.
We can’t be a ruler if we’re not strong in ourselves.
Our starting place (America’s image) is to end the bleeding source Iraq.
American people spoke in the last election and they want change (in the war)
Bush is NOT supporting troops in Iraq.
We (in Washington) can’t change America alone. We need you the people in this room.
Because we’re better than this. The world needs to see who we are
Let’s be patriotic to something else besides the war.
I’m making a pledge to you. I will the back to SC together we will win the state of SC

Here’s a quick recap of Gov. Bill Richardson’s speech at the SC Democratic Convention this past Saturday.

They told me I had 10 minutes to tell how I feel about (listed different govt issues)…But I only have 4 words that will cover it all. Elect a Democratic President
I believe any of the delegates can serve in the White House…as my Vice President.
We know the heart and soul of S.C. is blue.
Our nation is divided and we need somebody who can heal.
We are no longer a nation who is ruler
Lists what he will do in the first days of office…
Day one, I’d get us out of Iraq
I worry about our troops, even when they come home.
Day two, I’d announce a plan for energy independence.
I would ask for the whole country to go Green
Al Gore was right and we have to finish it.
The future is in being Green
Day three, I’d devise a plan to revitalize American education
Our teachers don’t get paid what they deserve
Day four, I’d take off b/c I’d need a break…kidding I’d announce the plan for universal healthcare.
Everyone can have the healthcare the President has, b/c everyone deserves it.
We can pay for healthcare by diverting money that goes to Iraq.
Day five, I’d announce a plan for jobs in this country
There is no reason our minimum wage is where it’s at.
Day six, I’d make sure everyone gets a fair shot
We are a party of civil rights…We are a party of believing everybody has a fair shot
I know other candidates who are “rockstars” and I’m not…but I’m working on it.
Elect me b/c I’ve done it. America needs a candidate with experience that I have to do it.
You (S.C) have been the leading light of politics

The convention was packed full of loyal SC Democrats, with introductions by former Governor Jim Hodges three of the Presidential candidates spoke about their campaigns and promises if elected and the election of Carol Khare Fowler as Chair of the State Democratic Party round out the action from Saturday.

Hodges:
We’re going to win b/c we’re right on the issues.

Clyburn:
Help the Dem. party reclaim its place in SC
The fish fry is a thanks to you for all that you do.
With the first debate here we have turned the page in SC, in O’burg, in SC State U.  By 10am yesterday 1 million 3 hundred thous. were asking about SCSU.
We are on the move again. We need to put the past behind us and become a great community for our children.
Referring to Joe E.: He is a shining example of what can be done with a young man with a dream who loves America.

Erwin:
Quoted N. Merchant song, These are the Days. “These are the days, see the signs”
The signs are speaking to you.
When I was leaving SCSU there were all these kids around. And when I looked at their faces, I didn’t see a black face. I didn’t see a white face. All I saw were beautiful faces.

Carol:
When you grow up 1 of 7 children, it’s hard not to become a democrat.
Pivotal point in my life. I saw Bobby Kennedy and he made sense to me.
In our party and our state we just need to stop leaving people out. This is the most important thing.
We have to set an example that everyone knows that they have a place with us.
3 people who set nomination and 2nd were all examples of what Karen believes the party should include. Bacari, Colleen Connely, & Leslie Price
We need to find people like them (Bacari, etc) and give them the training to run for office.
I don’t necessarily believe that a woman is more organized or committed than a man for this job…but I believe that this woman is willing to do what is needed.

The Convention Center was packed with Democrats eager to learn about or support the 2008 Democratic presidential candidates. Before the formal dinner, hundreds joined together for more personal discussions with each other and individual campaigns. Lower key than the main dinner, state and local dems posed for more comfortable conversation during the annual Jim Clyburn fish fry.

The Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner, hosted in each state by the respective Democratic Party, was sold out days before the event this year. With all eight Democratic presidential candidates having a spot on the agenda, the dinner was served to a standing room only crowd. Each presidential candidate made his or her own style of entrance and a brief but fiery speech.

The debate is over and everyone’s arguing about who won and who lost. It was exciting to be on location with all the media. An entire parking lot on the SCSU campus was devoted to national trucks with massive satellite feeds and the press building offered multiple rooms with rows of tables, wide-screened TVs, and strained wireless connections. Take a look at some more photos from around the campus.

We’re here and are going to try live-blogging the debate. So far it looks like about 75% of the expected crowd is here and all set to go. We passed the SC State band and the press stage with Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews on our way to our table. We’ll have to see what the evening brings…

Follow along our comments as we watch this evening.

Not so much “debating” - more like round-robin campaign pitches. I know, I know, there haven’t been real debates in years, but I was a speech major in college, so it’s a pet peeve of mine. With this many candidates, it’s difficult to even let them all get their pitch in. I can’t tell if they are letting everyone get equal time either. Are they giving more time to the “first tier” candidates? Or am I imagining that?

Biden got a good one in with his “yes” answer to gaffes.

Leading Democrats running for the Presidency are traveling to Orangeburg and South Carolina this week. Top candidates recognize this as both an opportunity to position themselves within the field of Democratic candidates running for President. Thursday evening at 7 PM on NBC news, eight Democratic candidates for President of the United States will make their case to the voters of South Carolina and the nation.

For South Carolina, it presents an amazing chance for this state to have South Carolina issues, values and voices front and center in the national spotlight. Let’s do it right! I want to hear what South Carolinians think of the candidates?

I’ve been reading alot of the polls about which candidate for President is ahead.  There’s a good article on the Channel 15 (ABC, I think) website about a new Zogby poll that shows Hillary Clinton ahead going into SC by more than 30 points.  Then you read things like the article on MorningCall about Obama’s Web groundswell on the Internet and in donations. 

How influential is polling data in today’s multi-channel environment?  What about people who have only cell phones?  Do we assume their opinion isn’t included in these polls?  I’d like to hear what others think about polls today their validity.

Hey, have you read Chris Cilliz’s post in the Washington Post political blog from April 20?  He says Obama having a shot at taking the front-ranking position could result from doing really well in Thursday’s South Carolina debate.  WOW!  Incredible that a man who has spent just two years in the Senate might have an edge over a field that’s been grooming for years.

Earlier this week, I read about a speech Joe Biden made where he talked about hsi habit of speaking his mind too much.  “The problem I have with my party is we are too timid.”  After some applause, he continued, “I maybe too blunt, and it ay cost me the presidency.  I am not running for president to hear hair to the chief, I’m running to solve problems….The next president will change the world.”

How right he is and isn’t it about time we have some straight talk??

Did anyone else see Hillary’s post to FireDogLake on April 24? She’s got the right answers when it comes to everyone in this country being treated fairly.

Ok, it’s not because he’s from Seneca. It’s because he understands working people. So far, it looks like he’s the only presidential candidate who’s going to speak out against President Bush’s frightening trade deal with South Korea. This issue, of course, is totally unrelated to North Korea which is scarier still. But I digress. Without demanding environmental and human rights standards, the proposed treaty is a prescription for disaster - both for South Koreans and South Carolinians. How many more jobs do we need to lose or how much dirt needs to be added to our global air before someone takes a stand? Wall Street? Main Street!

Here’s the link