Politics As Usual - SC Senate Seat 44

I know. I know. I know. I wrote about this already. I just can't help myself after the mailings that came out this week. I am sure there will be more, and I am relatively sure they will be more of the same.

Anyway, I'm sad, but not surprised, that the old guard of Berkeley County politics seems to be just that: Politics as Usual. I've only received one mailing and one phone call from Shirley Hinson this week. Perhaps the mailing sums it up. It is a white 3/4 sheet of card stock. On the address side it reads in big, bold red letters: "VOTE SHIRLEY HINSON for S.C. Senate." Then, just below her picture, "Tired of politics as ususal? Join Shirley's Team!" (And, yes, that is how usual is spelled - I have days like that myself.) Spelling really isn't my point, I'm sure it was an honest mistake. My point comes when you flip the mailing over and read what is dubbed to be the opposite of "usual politics." On the reverse side you'll find a head to head comparison of Paul Campbell and Shirley Hinson. Which leads me to my frustrations with the flyer.

First of all, Campbell is labeled as a "business tycoon." Let's put that in nice terms - businessman. And what's wrong with that? Let's not forget, these two are vying to fill a seat left vacant by the late Sen. Bill Mescher. If my memory serves me correctly, before entering into politics, Sen. Mescher led a tremendous corportation - Santee Cooper. With his business sense and unquestioned ethic, Senator Mescher "served us well" according to Hinson. She's right about that.

Hinson indicates that Campbell "Supports our failing education status quo." Our state education standards come directly from the Statehouse, of which Hinson has been a member for the past eleven years. Hinson also hails herself as a "champion of better education for our children." While I am sure she feels this way, I simply don't see it. This is due, in part, to her legislative actions in early 2006 so as to take away the fiscal autonomy of the Berkeley County School Board. I'm really not attacking Shirley Hinson. Rather, simply questioning a serious part of her legislative record as it pertains to willingness to spend necessary funds in support of our school children.

More politics.

Hinson's mailing says of Paul Campbell: "Funded and supported by special interests." But, says of herself: "Fights special interests who influence state government." The figures on who exactly is financially supporting either candidate simply are not available as of now. However, figures from Hinson's 2006 fundraising are available. In that year, only 23% of financial contributions to Hinson's campaign fund were from individuals. Yes, the vast majority of Hinson's support came from businesses, business organizations, and business people. You can view a full listing of Hinson's 2006 contributers here.

A fresh approach to politics? Seems like more of the same. . . so far.

Well what about Campbell's mailings. The first is hard to argue with - it is a sincere letter from Mescher's widow. Mrs. Mescher encourages voters to join her in support of Campbell.

The second mailing is a green, full size sheet of card stock. On the address it lists the names of a few hundred members of the community who are supporting Campbell. I appreciate that the names include members of the community from all walks of life. This is an apparent attempt to "combat" the theory that Campbell is only supported by business associates. To be honest, we've seen this before from Dan Davis when he ran for County Supervisor. It's not a bad idea. Both men hired the same political consultant. In future campaigns, candidates should probably use it sparingly, or else it could become ineffective. At least it is positive.

The reverse side reads like a newspaper with six boxes. A few of them interest me as I answer the questions about "politics as usual." One points out that if Hinson is elected, it could cost the taxpayers $50,000 for the election to fill Hinson's vacant seat in the Statehouse. The next begs the question, "Will Hinson's negative campaign backfire?"

Is pointing out the other candidate's negativity, in effect, being negative? I have to say that, yes, it is. If you want to point out your opponent's obvious weaknesses, simply point to your own strengths - without mention of the opponent's faults. Sometimes, what isn't said speaks quite clearly. And, I think Campbell has pushed this button - though I'm not sure it should have been pushed.

All in all - South Carolina Senate Seat 44. . . Politics as Usual. . .