The Mad Rush To NOT Be In SC6 ...

    Two Plans For the 7th Leave SC Republicans Battling Themselves ...... Almost Literally!



     We've been keeping an eye on South Carolina's new 7th District planning go on for a while now.  With a majority in Congress, Senate and House, you'd think Republicans would have an easy time gerrymandering the districts (oops! did we say gerrymander?) to make everyone happy.  You'd be wrong....



     Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, we've been able to keep up with the little war going on between the House and Senate plans for the 7th.  From what we've seen, the main combatants are Rep. Alan Clemmons(R-Horry) and Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Bonneau Beach).  Not that it's 100% confirmed, but the whispers that Clemmons is setting up the 7th for a 2012 bid have been around for some time, even to the chagrin of fellow Grand Strand Republicans.  Grooms' motivation is slightly different...



     Berkeley County is Grooms' home county, and it is one of the areas being flipped back and forth. Florence County is in the same boat as well... Right now, Grooms is in part of the 6th - just barely.   In this case, and in the case of just about every Republican involved, the motivation is the same - the wish to be out of Jim Clyburn's district....



    Give them both credit for trying to get the hell out of Dodge... That is about where the credit ends.  We don't like the comments sent back and forth - and to their fellow Republicans.  Clemmons jab that Grooms is more in cahoots with the Democrats then Republicans, and Grooms noting that the House plan was called the 'Clyburn Plan'... Not pretty stuff.



    So, what do we think of the two plans? Honestly, we prefer the House plan, and it's not just because Florence County ends up in the new 7th, not the 6th.  As far as the GOP is concerned, the House plan gives Republicans the best shot at six seats.  Yes, Jim Clyburn actually strengthens his hold on Congress with the House plan (we've already said that).  As for the Pee Dee and Grand Strand, the 7th would be pretty solid GOP, at least for a new district.


    Grooms' plan has a couple weaknesses.  First off, Williamsburg, western G'town, and all the way to the Georgia line - with the exception of southern Berkley and Beaufort Counties - are solidly Democrat.  Any Republican candidate would start out with an automatic 50,000 vote disadvantage. Impossible? No, but much tougher..  Secondly, what candidate can afford to put ads in the Charleston, Savannah/Hilton Head and Columbia markets?  Yet another tall order. The House plan is set up much smarter in the media markets..


    No, they're not done yet.  The bickering will go on for a while longer, but we will respect the motivation by both Clemmons and Grooms.  It's a long ten years before they get another chance to get out of the 6th. Clemmons is hoping the Pee Dee can push him through, and Grooms is going for the inland coast support.  Can't blame either of them for trying...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUpBSvN1a50


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