Augurs of SC
In South Carolina tonight, the state's GOP has nominated its first-ever female candidate for governor, its first-ever Indian-American candidate for governor, and it's first Black candidate for Congress since Reconstruction, and unfortunately that's news. So, ugh that it’s taken so long.
But it's good news because it means two important things:
First, it reaffirms that people aren’t prejudiced the way the media would like to have us believe (remember all those voices saying Obama couldn't possibly get elected because we were such a biased country? NOT). We can now include even those good ol' white boys some were so sure would never vote for Nicki Halley in the runoff.
Second, that groups that have been politically represented largely by members espousing the victimhood/grievance philosophy now have individuals who have had it with that approach and recognize that it doesn’t work. Sort of a belated assimilation thing, with “Movin’ On Up” playing in the background, and the original civil rights summation of freedom, equality and justice -- "I am a Man" -- as the undercurrent. The monolith begins to crack...
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Jun '10
Re: Augurs of SC
I think to the Good Ol' Boys, Nikki Haley's biggest sin was not any alleged sluttiness, or the secret remnants of exotic religion, or some deficit of Southern etiquette. Her sin was that she was completely independent and not for sale. Those other things were just old tools of SC politics, that worked in the past, but didn't work today.
May '10
Re: Augurs of SC
Etoile is quite correct. The utter corruption of SC state government has been not only a blindsiding revelation to me, but a source of many brilliant Jon Stewart monologues. Easy as fallin off a log. Why is it I love South Carolina, Louisiana and Chicago? Hmmm.
May I also point out that the Red Heather has been on a roll of late.
Re: Augurs of SC
It's funny, Heather -- you see all these knee-jerk stories about Haley "breaking boundaries," the assumption being that of course these boundaries are set by the holy trinity of race, class, and gender. But what about the boundaries created by these increasingly stale and mouldering assumptions themselves, or the very categories of thought that keep them in place? And what about the boundaries described by etoiledunord -- the boundaries imposed by state and local establishment politics? Nobody speaks of those.
May '10
Re: Augurs of SC
I'm not sure its a victory when this is what it takes to counter Democrats' accusations. Let's not suggest to liberals that we feel a need to respond to every ridiculous accusation they make. It encourages them to make more.
But I agree with your second point, Heather. Good news.
May '10
Re: Augurs of SC
I am a South Carolinian and I'm positively thrilled with the top of the ticket primary results. Hopefully, this trend will usher in what may be one of the most needed changes in South Carolina politics - a wholesale revision of the state constitution. We still toil under the Jim Crow-era 1895 Constitution that provided for an exceptionally weak executive. State government is essentially a legislative prerogative all the way from concept through execution, with mini-emperors established in the assembly; it just doesn't work well.
Re: Augurs of SC
I love South Carolina -- and I know you do, too, Heather -- and I think this is just exactly what the rest of the country -- read: the coastal establishment -- needs to see: smart, conservative chief executives in states they ordinarily sneer at, from all walks of life, representing not only the breadth of the population, but also the openness of the hated "southern conservatives."
The monolith begins to crack is right. I hope it cracks all the way up to the New York Times editorial board.
May '10
Re: Augurs of SC
Rob, you're exactly right about South Carolina. I have been here five years now, and the state and its people don't deserve its caricature. Anyone here who has never been to Charleston nor toured the Lowcountry between Hilton Head and Pawley's Island is missing a real treasure. And all on Ricochet are welcome to join me at any time for the best burger and hand-cut fries on the planet at Ike's Korner Grill here in the Upstate.
Re: Augurs of SC
I'll take you up on that. If you'll take me up on shrimp and grits in Beaufort, SC, the most perfect American town imaginable. My life's ambition: to live there, year-round.