State of South Carolina secondary Archives: on Principles & Values


Barack Obama: Biggest mistake was intruding in Terri Schiavo case

Q What is the most significant professional mistake you have made in the past four years?

A: Well, my wife may have a longer list. But professionally the biggest mistake that I made was when I first arrived in the Senate. There was a debate about Terri Schiavo, and a lot of us, including me, allowed Congress to intrude where it shouldn’t have. I should have fought more for making sure that families make those decisions and not bureaucrats and politicians.

Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Ben Carson: 2AM phone calls are about presidential judgement

As far as two a.m. phone calls are concerned, judgment is what is required. The kinds of things that you come up with are some sometimes difficult and very unique. One of the things I was known for is doing things that have not been done before. No amount of experience prepares you to do something that has never been done before. That's where judgment comes in. That is the [type of] situation we're in now.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina Feb 13, 2016

Bernie Sanders: Jewish identity means end racism & white nationalism

Q: What does your Jewish identity mean to you?

SANDERS: I can remember very vividly as a kid looking at picture books about the Holocaust. As it happens, my father's family was wiped out by Hitler. I learned at a very early age what white nationalism, which is what Nazism is in the extreme, is about. And I think at a very early age, I learned that it is absolutely imperative--not just me--that all of us do everything we can to end all forms of racism and white nationalism. That's what my experience has--how it has impacted me.

Source: CNN Town Hall on eve of 2020 South Carolina primary Feb 24, 2020

Bernie Sanders: Confederate monuments belong in museums not town greens

I understand history, and you can't wipe out history, and I don't want to wipe out history. They should be placed in historical locations. But on town greens, we want kids to look up and say, wow, this was somebody who was a great leader for liberation. This was somebody who believed in racial justice, somebody who fought for working people, somebody who believed in women's rights. Those are the people we want our kids to learn from and to respect, not people who believed and defended slavery.
Source: CNN Town Hall on eve of 2020 South Carolina primary Feb 24, 2020

Bill Richardson: Biggest mistake is impatience, like pushing minimum wage

Q What is the most significant political or professional mistake you have made in the past four years?

A: I’m impatient. I try to change institutions in my state rapidly. I’m too aggressive. One instance: In New Mexico, I desperately wanted a year ago to increase the minimum wage to $7.50. And instead of pursuing diplomacy, for which I’m known for, instead of consultation, I tried to ram it through my legislature. We finally got it done a year later. But I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’m not perfect.

Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Buddy Roemer: Driving across SC and NH to shake hands & start listening

Roemer issued a statement saying he was disappointed with Fox's decision to bar him from the S.C. debate:

"My campaign pledge is to carry out politics in a new way--one that doesn't allow PAC money or large donations from multinational corporations. As such, we haven't spent time traveling across the nation introducing myself to voters. Rather, I've taken an approach of driving through South Carolina and New Hampshire to shake hands and start listening.

In order to be free to lead, our office holders should not be held hostage by the influence of money. That's why I've imposed a cap on contributions. I refuse to buy my way to 1% recognition [Fox News' threshold for inclusion in the SC debate]--I have to earn it. But, it sure becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy when the media will only legitimize my candidacy because of some arbitrary threshold of public recognition.

I will record my answers to the debate questions in real time and post them on my web site at www.buddyroemer.com."

Source: 2011 GOP primary debate in South Carolina May 5, 2011

Chris Dodd: Biggest professional mistake was the Iraq War

Q What is the most significant political or professional mistake you have made in the past four years? And what did you learn from this mistake which makes you a better candidate?

A: Well, it’s been said before, won’t be the first or the last, but I also agree on the war in Iraq was a huge mistake.

Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Dennis Kucinich: Biggest mistake was firing police chief on Good Friday

Q What is the most significant political or professional mistake you have made in the past four years? And what did you learn from this mistake which makes you a better candidate?

A: You know, I know you set a time frame on this, but the thing that immediately comes to mind is when I was mayor of Cleveland, on Good Friday, I fired the police chief live on the 6:00 news.

Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Donald Trump: We should have impeached George W. Bush for Iraq War lies

Q: In 2008, talking about President George W. Bush's conduct of the war, you said you were surprised that Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi didn't try to impeach him: You added, "which personally I think would have been a wonderful thing." When you were asked what you meant by that and you said: "For the war; he lied, he got us into the war with lies." Do you still believe President Bush should have been impeached.

TRUMP: Obviously, the war in Iraq was a big, fat mistake. The war in Iraq, we spent $2 trillion, thousands of lives, we don't even have it. Iran has taken over Iraq. Obviously, it was a mistake. George Bush made a mistake. We can make mistakes. But that one was a beauty. We should have never been in Iraq. We have destabilized the Middle East.

Q: So you still think he should be impeached?

TRUMP: You call it whatever you want. I want to tell you, they lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction, there were none. And they knew there were none.

Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina Feb 13, 2016

Elizabeth Warren: I was a special education teacher; we never give up

I was a special education teacher. And I just want to say to all of you, I love that work. And if you ever want to know anything about me, all you've got to know is I'm a special education teacher. Because I'll tell you something about us, we never give up. We see the worth of every human being and we never give up.
Source: CNN Town Hall on eve of 2020 South Carolina primary Feb 26, 2020

Gloria Bromell Tinubu: 2018 Lt. Gov. candidate; 2012 & 2014 House candidate

Phil Noble, a Democratic candidate for South Carolina governor, named Gloria Bromell Tinubu as his running mate pick for lieutenant governor, touting the decision as an opportunity to take the Palmetto State in a radically different direction. The pick allows Noble, a white businessman from Charleston, to diversify his ticket with an African-American woman.

"We're here to make history for a new South Carolina, a new way of dealing with things, a new sense of honesty and openness, a new sense of caring for those who haven't been cared for," Noble said.

Tinubu, 65, is not new to electoral politics. Born in Plantersville, the Georgetown resident represented Atlanta in the Georgia General Assembly before moving back to her native South Carolina.

She ran for Congress twice [in 2012 and 2014] against U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, R-Myrtle Beach, winning the Democratic nomination both times but falling short in the general election.

Source: Post and Courier on 2020 South Carolina Senatorial race Mar 20, 2017

Gloria Bromell Tinubu: Dropped Senate bid; endorses Jaime Harrison

Gloria Bromell Tinubu has ended her bid for the U.S. Senate. Bromell Tinubu, of Georgetown, on Wednesday dropped out of the race for Senate, endorsing Jaime Harrison's campaign and giving him what appears to be a clear path to the Democratic Party's nomination.
Source: The State e-zine on 2020 South Carolina Senate race Jan 15, 2020

Henry McMaster: We believe in faith, family, the flag, and freedom

We are in the midst of a stunning economic resurgence--with the opportunity to seize prosperity for generations to come. We recognize our tremendous assets. We acknowledge our challenges. We believe in faith. We believe in family. We believe in the flag and we believe in free markets. We believe in liberty--in that shining city on the hill of which President Reagan spoke. And we know that liberty is worth fighting for. And remember, always teach the children to be proud of South Carolina!
Source: 2020 South Carolina State of the State address Jan 22, 2020

Henry McMaster: COVID: We slowed down, but safely remained open

Political leaders in many states have gone too far. They have infringed on the Constitution and trampled personal freedoms. We took a road less traveled--a better road. We slowed down, but safely remained open. We never closed. Our reasonable steps of limited, measured and temporary actions allowed us to combat the virus without crippling our economy.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature Jan 13, 2021

Hillary Clinton: Biggest mistakes: mishandling healthcare; believing in WMDs

Q What is the most significant political or professional mistake you have made in the past four years?

A: Well, I don't have enough time to tell you all the mistakes I've made in the last many years. Certainly, the mistakes I made around health care were deeply troubling to me and interfered with our ability to get our message out. And, you know, believing the president when he said he would go to the United Nations and put inspectors into Iraq to determine whether they had WMD.

Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Jaime Harrison: Helping others: cooking dinners, sharing campaign donations

Harrison said his campaign is seeking to help others. He said he cooked dinner Friday for parents of hospitalized children at the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville. He promised to turn over $20,000 at the end of December from his campaign account to the state Democratic Party to assist other candidates.
Source: The Greenville News on 2020 South Carolina Senate race Dec 15, 2019

Jaime Harrison: Not political issues: about doing what is right

"We are trying to be above politics because we have issues here that are not political issues," he said. "They are issues that Democrats and Republicans, poor and rich, black and white are all struggling with and dealing with on a day to day basis. It's about doing what is right versus what's wrong."
Source: Newsweek Magazine on 2020 South Carolina Senate race Jun 8, 2020

Jaime Harrison: I will never lie to you; won't go back on my word

Harrison: Google Lindsey Graham and term limits. He said he would term limit himself. I do believe that the ultimate term limit is in the power of the people here in South Carolina. But I also believe it is incumbent upon us to keep our promises. And if we change our minds, just admit, I changed my mind. Don't duck and dodge. I will never, never, never lie to you. You may not agree with everything I say all the time, but you will always know where I stand and I'm not going to go back on my word.
Source: 2020 South Carolina Senate debate (Rev.com transcript) Oct 3, 2020

Jaime Harrison: First step working with other side is not to call them nuts

Graham: The people running the Democratic Party today are nuts.

Harrison: The first step in terms of working with the other side is not to call the other side nuts. I have a six-year-old who I teach, "You know, son, that sometimes people come from different backgrounds and they see the world a little differently, but that doesn't make them bad because of it." Even though Democrats and Republicans may take the different paths, hopefully our destination is the same.

Source: 2020 South Carolina Senate debate (Rev.com transcript) Oct 3, 2020

James Emerson Smith: Lost governor race by 8%; but most Dem candidates in decade

S.C. Democrats say state Rep. James Smith's 8-percentage-point loss to Republican Gov. Henry McMaster Tuesday night was not a complete defeat. While a Democrat still hasn't been elected S.C. governor in 20 years, the party celebrated its largest number of candidates to run for elected office--349--in more than a decade.

Democrats also flipped a few seats in the Legislature, including a long-held GOP seat in the state Senate, now held by former state Democratic Party chairman Dick Harpootlian. And, in an historic upset in a district Republicans had won for almost 40 years, Democrat Joe Cunningham won the 1st District seat in the U.S. House, where he will join the state's only other Democratic congressman, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of Columbia.

Democrat Smith was outspent 3 to 1 by Republican Gov. McMaster but still managed to almost cut in half the GOP's margin of victory from 2014.

Source: The State on 2022 South Carolina Gubernatorial race Nov 11, 2018

Jeb Bush: Other candidates' religion is none of my business

Q [to Donald Trump]: The pope said "a person who thinks only about building walls wherever they may be, and not of building bridges is not Christian."

TRUMP: He was talking about the border--the government of Mexico spoke with the Pope--

Q: Wait, you think that the government of Mexico somehow got the Pope to say this?

TRUMP: Absolutely. But the pope talked about having a wall is not Christian, and he's got an awfully big wall at the Vatican.

Q [to Bush]: Do you agree with the Pope suggesting Donald Trump is not Christian?

BUSH: I always get in trouble when the Pope says things, because I'm a Catholic. I'm informed by my faith, and he is an inspirational leader of my church. But I don't question people's Christianity. I think that's a relationship they have with their lord and savior. So I just don't think it's appropriate to question Donald Trump's faith. He knows what his faith is. And if he has a relationship with the lord, fantastic. If he doesn't, it's none of my business.

Source: 2016 CNN GOP Town Hall in South Carolina Feb 18, 2016

Jeb Bush: We need someone with a servant's heart and also a backbone

The next president is going to be confronted with an unforeseen challenge. It could be a pandemic, a major natural disaster or an attack on our country. I will have a steady hand as Commander in Chief. I will unite this country because I did it as governor of Florida. When I was governor, we had eight hurricanes and four tropical storms in 16 months. We recovered faster than what people thought because we led. We need someone with a servant's heart that has a backbone.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina Feb 13, 2016

Jim Gilmore: Rudy McRomney is not a conservative and knows it

Q [to GILMORE]: On the campaign trail you like to say that "Rudy McRomney" is not a conservative and he knows he's not a conservative. With them standing here on the stage with you, you would tell us specifically why Mayor Giuliani, Sen. McCain and Gov. Romney are not conservatives?

GILMORE: Actually I thought it was a pretty good line. It got a lot of attention around the country. Rudy Giuliani has said that he is against federal funding of abortions, but is in favor of federal financing of abortions But then on the other hand, he said in the last debate he was against the Hyde Amendment. Gov. Huckabee says that he in fact is a tax-cutter and would cut taxes and support these programs. But at the same time, in his own state he was a dramatic tax-increaser. On health care, Gov. Romney has said in the last debate that this was a privately sanctioned type of program for health care, when in fact, there's mandatory requirement for participation in that, and that's certainly government.

Source: 2007 Republican Debate in South Carolina May 15, 2007

Joe Biden: Biggest mistake was thinking he could work with George Bush

Q What is the most significant professional mistake you have made in the past four years?

A: Overestimating the competence of this administration and underestimating the arrogance. I really thought, working with the secretary of state and with other Republicans, I could impact on George Bush's thinking. And that was absolutely not within my capacity.

Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Joe Cunningham: Pols more interested in keeping their jobs than doing it

In his final speech on the House floor, Cunningham slammed partisanship. He said he witnessed his colleagues "embracing conspiracy theories or arguments detached from reality while knowing better and sometimes admitting so privately." He called it a form of "self-preservation" from people he says are "more interested in protecting themselves and their party than protecting our country, more interested in keeping their job than doing their job."
Source: WIS News 10 on 2022 South Carolina Gubernatorial Race Apr 21, 2021

John Edwards: Biggest professional mistake was voting for Iraq War

Q What is the most significant political or professional mistake you have made in the past four years? And what did you learn from this mistake which makes you a better candidate?

A: I was wrong to vote for this war. Unfortunately, I'll have to live with that forever. And the lesson I learned from it is to put more faith in my own judgment.

Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Joyce Dickerson: For various reasons, I won't campaign for Hillary in 2016

I just don't feel the excitement I used to feel about Hillary. She should have admitted her error over the e-mail scandal; instead she dragged it out before apologizing. At the first hint of a challenge from Senator Sanders, she should have become more visible, voluble and open to interrogation, as he is. Instead she became more distant and controlled. I really have no plans to campaign for Mrs. Clinton. She didn't make calls for me, so I'm not going to make calls for her.
Source: The Economist on 2016 South Carolina Senate race Oct 3, 2015

Krystle Matthews: Can work with Republicans but confront them when needed

[On bipartisanship]: "We need someone vibrant, who is tireless and not afraid to have tough conversations," Matthews said. "We need someone who can work with Republicans but confront them when needed. Heck, some of my Republican colleagues in the State House like me as I do them, even when we fundamentally disagree. It is about having those hard conversations. I want to be that U.S. senator. I can be that U.S. senator."
Source: The State newsmagazine on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Apr 13, 2021

Krystle Matthews: Not easily swayed without information, will read everything

Based on my reputation in the state house, they know that I'm not easily swayed without information. I have to read everything. I'm known for that ... because I want to make sure that I give the input that I have on whether or not I think something can be better, or whether I think something's going to be problematic. But we don't have too much of that.
Source: Charleston City Paper on 2022 South Carolina Senate race May 5, 2021

Larry Elder: The question is which party can get government off our back

America's "truth detector" is now Larry Elder. Known as "the Sage from South Central" Larry is unafraid to take on liberals and the Black Lives Matter movement with common sense. "What a great time to be on the radio, helping listeners make sense of one of the craziest election cycles we have ever seen," added Larry. He says, "The question is not which party has my back, but which party can get government off our back--so that we might all realize our God given capabilities."
Source: The Larry Elder Show "Sage of South Carolina" Jul 22, 2021

Lee Bright: I live all aspects of my life based on Biblical principles

Bright's faith and family play a great role in his life. "I am a born-again Christian and I try to live all aspects of my life based on Biblical principles." When asked who the most influential person in his life is, Bright answered, "My wife is my rock."
Source: Edgefield Advertiser on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Oct 29, 2013

Lee Bright: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework

Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.

Bright: Strongly Disagree.

Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Bright: Strongly Agree.

Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

Bright: I am a born-again Christian; and a Southern Baptist.

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Jul 2, 2014

Lindsey Graham: Big choice election: capitalism versus socialism

This is a big choice election between me and Mr. Harrison. Capitalism versus socialism. Conservative judges versus liberal judges. Law and order versus chaos. You know where I stand.
Source: 2020 South Carolina Senate debate (Rev.com transcript) Oct 3, 2020

Marco Rubio: Suffers from blue-green color blindness

Q: You mentioned that you're color-blind?

RUBIO: I am.

Q: And that you should have seen your clothes before your wife started picking them out.

RUBIO: Yes, well, we basically are now sticking to reds-and-blues and grays-and-blues because I have trouble distinguishing between blue-and-black, blue-and-purple, green-and-blue.

Q: Those are the colors you can't see?

RUBIO: It's a mess, yes.

Q: Did you always have that?

RUBIO: I didn't know until people started telling me "hey, that's a nice green shirt." I go, "what green--the blue one I have on?" "No, it's green," so yes, I struggle with it.

Source: 2016 CNN GOP Town Hall in South Carolina Feb 17, 2016

Mike Gravel: Did not plan on presidency, but candidates are frightening

Q: At a forum earlier this year you said it doesn't matter whether you are elected president or not, so then, why are you here tonight? Shouldn't debates be for candidates who are in the race to win the race?

A: You're right. I made that statement. But that's before I had a chance to stand with [the other presidential candidates] three times. It's like going into the Senate. You know, the first time you get there, you're all excited, "My God, how did I ever get here?" Then, about six months later, you say, "How the hell did the rest of them get here?" And I got to tell you, after standing up with them, some of these people frighten me. When you have mainline candidates that turn around and say that there's nothing off the table with respect to Iran, that's code for using nuclear devices.

Q: Who on this stage exactly tonight worries you so much?

A: Well, I would say the top tier ones. They've made statements.

Source: 2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007

Nancy Mace: Give a conservative voice to the people of South Carolina

As a candidate in the 2014 GOP primary, Mace has been a vocal adversary to Senator Lindsey Graham. She says, "He represents an establishment culture in Washington that is not prepared to handle the realities of the 21st century." If elected, she vows to give voters a voice that, she believes, has been lacking in Senator Graham. "Senator Graham does not vote in the interests of the people he represents." His votes for bailouts, debt increases, and tax hikes "simply isn't conservative," Mace claims. If elected, Mace intends to represent the people of South Carolina by standing on principle. "Too many Republicans in Washington like to negotiate with themselves." she says, "By the time they walk in the room with Democrats, they have already given away the store." Mace believes that the people of South Carolina are in need of real leadership and representatives that speak truth and does not shy away from the difficult decisions.
Source: Edgefield Advertiser on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Nov 23, 2013

Nikki Haley: Local government needs to be more accountable

My two main priorities in terms of government reform haven't changed: Requiring public officials to disclose who pays them and having independent investigators oversee legislators, just like they do for every other elected official in the state. The House has passed both. Repeatedly. South Carolina thanks you for that. The Senate has refused to even vote on either. Repeatedly. It should not be this hard.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to South Carolina legislature Jan 20, 2016

Ralph Nader: Won't run as a Green-maybe as an independent

Ralph Nader, the third-party candidate viewed by many Democrats as the spoiler of the 2000 election for taking votes away from Al Gore, has decided not to run on the Green Party ticket next year, a party spokesman said. Nader, who garnered nearly 3 percent of the national vote in the last presidential election, has not ruled out running for president as an independent. He plans to decide by January. Nader, a consumer activist, appeared on many Democrats' hate list after the 2000 election. Gore, the former vice president and 2000 Democratic nominee, lost decisive Florida by fewer than 600 votes, while Nader received nearly 100,000 there. Many Democrats are convinced enough of those voters would have swung the election to Gore if Nader had not been on the ballot. Nader said running as an independent would not hurt his campaign. "As an independent, you can do more innovative things because you don't have to check with all the bases," he said.
Source: The State webzine (South Carolina) Dec 24, 2003

Rett Newton: Pursuing doctorate while serving as mayor

Newton was elected mayor of Beaufort, North Carolina in 2017 and reelected in 2019, and is also a doctoral candidate at the Duke University Marine Lab. He also has bachelor's degrees in mathematics and electrical engineering, as well as another degree from American University. He was heavily involved in the recovery process after Hurricanes Florence and Dorian and also took early measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus in Beaufort. Newton also served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years.
Source: The Seahawk podcast on 2022 South Carolina Senate race Jul 15, 2021

Rick Wade: Commitment to listen to the people, not special interests

Wade announced his candidacy saying, "the people of South Carolina understand that Washington is broken. If we are going to solve the big problems we face & get things done, our representatives must be accountable to their constituents. That starts with 3 commitments:
  1. The commitment to listen to the people
  2. A promise to work for bipartisan solutions to fix our problems
  3. A commitment to reduce the influence of special interests that have enjoyed too much power in Washington for too long."
    Source: TheGrio webzine interview on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Dec 13, 2013

    Rick Wade: Ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state in 2002

    While he's never served in elected office, Wade ran unsuccessfully for secretary of state in 2002. He crisscrossed the state introducing himself to South Carolinians as a moderate with a business agenda and a conservative fiscal message. He likes to refer to himself as a country boy from Lancaster who leans on his values and faith to guide him.

    Wade oversaw the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services for three years under then-Gov. Jim Hodges.

    Source: The State magazine on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Aug 29, 2013

    Rick Wade: Withdraws from race, citing too-late entrance

    S.C. Democrats can't keep a candidate in a race. Rick Wade, the former Obama Administration official and cabinet head under Gov. Jim Hodges, said Thursday that he will end his U.S. Senate race against Republican Tim Scott. "I certainly had no illusions about being able to match a multimillion-dollar campaign war chest," he said. "But after a couple of months as a candidate, I've concluded that the timing of my entrance--less than a year before Election Day--had compressed the calendar too much for me to raise the money needed to mount a serious challenge."

    Wade had been the prohibitive favorite to win the Democratic nomination to face Scott in the November general election. His withdrawal comes a day after state Rep. Mike Anthony, D-Union, said he would quit the race for state education superintendent. Wade's withdrawal leaves only long-shot Democratic candidate Joyce Dickerson, a Richland County councilwoman, to oppose Scott in November.

    Source: The State magazine on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Mar 6, 2014

    Thomas Ravenel: Fiscally conservative and socially moderate libertarian

    During the course of the first season of "Southern Charm" --a show that, per Bravo, "goes behind the walls of Charleston, South Carolina's most aristocratic families to reveal a world of exclusivity, money and scandal that goes back generations" and drew, on average, 1.1 million viewers per episode--Ravenel has consistently described himself as a fiscally conservative and socially moderate libertarian.
    Source: Mother Jones magazine on 2014 South Carolina Senate race May 12, 2014

    Thomas Ravenel: Values taught by church, not enforced by mandate

    Government has, in many instances, usurped the role that religious institutions and private charities should play in our society. Values cannot be effectively enforced by mandate. They must be taught and encouraged by private institutions. Throughout history, using force to build a social system has failed repeatedly. Our founding fathers established a system that allowed positive values to flourish, but also allowed negative values to exist. In an environment of true liberty, the market will sort out the good from the bad. "The market," in this context, is allowing God's hand to work rather than depending upon the government to decide which values are virtuous and must be enforced in the community. Freedom to believe allows the best to rise to the top, the worst to collapse on its own, and depravity to find its own error. I firmly believe that weaker believers are those who insist that only by government edict is it possible for God's way to prevail. That is a false ideology.
    Source: 2014 South Carolina Senate campaign press release Aug 19, 2014

    Tim Scott: Served in public office for 18 years, with 2 terms in House

    Q: Tim Scott who was named to succeed South Carolina's Jim DeMint in the Senate. I take it you are intending to run for this senate seat in 2014?

    SCOTT: In 2014, we'll be back on the ballot, yes sir.

    Q: And how long have you been in the congress?

    SCOTT: I just got elected to my second term. I have been in public office for about 18 years serving the good people throughout South Carolina.

    Source: CBS "Face the Nation" on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Dec 23, 2012

    Tim Scott: OpEd: Dems call Scott "senator for the Heritage Foundation"

    "The campaign is going to be about eradicating poverty (and) talking about the issues of free markets," he said after speaking to a group of youthful offenders in Columbia. "We believe that conservatism works."

    Democrats call Scott the senator for the Heritage Foundation, the conservative group DeMint now heads.

    Scott's reaction? "Silence is what I have to say," he said out loud. "Everybody has a label for you. I'm going to let the people of South Carolina decide how good I'm working on their behalf. This is a job application. I'm applying for a job."

    Not all job applications come with $10,000-plus filing fee, though.

    Source: The Island Packet on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Dec 14, 2013

    Tim Scott: Grew up poor in a black community in North Charleston

    Although many African-Americans look warily at black Republicans, not all have rejected Sen. Scott, even if they don't embrace his GOP label. During a visit to The State in February, the senator said African-Americans have told him that while they might not vote for him, they appreciate his upbeat message, and they express pride in his service.

    Scott is an intelligent, driven, likable man who has overcome many odds. He tells anyone who will listen about how he grew up poor in a black community in North Charleston, the devastating effects of his parents' divorce, his single mother's tireless efforts to care for the family, flunking out of school and finding his way back. He got his act together, completed college and enjoyed a successful career in the insurance business.

    Source: The State magazine on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Aug 29, 2013

    Tim Scott: Judeo-Christian values established our government framework

    Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.

    Scott: Disagree.

    Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

    Scott: Agree.

    Question topic: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

    Scott: Christian.

    Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 South Carolina Senate race Sep 30, 2014

    Yancey McGill: Served for 25 years as Democrat; now running as Republican

    McGill said he switched parties last week after years of leaning toward pro-Republican stances. "I have backed a lot of conservative issues over the years, and people have asked me why not consider joining the (Republican) party," said McGill, who spent 25 years representing a heavily Democratic district in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties.

    Asked why he remained a Democrat, McGill said, "I couldn't join the Republican party because I lived in a Democratic district. Now that I'm not in office in a Democratic district, I could join."

    Democratic leaders in his district were not surprised McGill switched parties after years of voting with Republicans. McGill said he never heard complaints about his voting record. His history of bipartisanship was a reason why few Republicans objected to him becoming lieutenant governor in 2014. "I was a state senator, not based on party, but based on representing all the citizens of South Carolina," McGill said.

    Source: The State webzine on 2018 South Carolina Gubernatorial race Mar 21, 2017

    • The above quotations are from State of South Carolina Politicians: secondary Archives.
    • Click here for definitions & background information on Principles & Values.
    • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
    2016 Presidential contenders on Principles & Values:
      Republicans:
    Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
    Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
    Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
    Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
    Carly Fiorina(CA)
    Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
    Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
    Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
    Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
    Gov.John Kasich(OH)
    Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
    Gov.George Pataki(NY)
    Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
    Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
    Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
    Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
    Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
    Donald Trump(NY)
    Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
    Democrats:
    Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
    Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
    V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
    Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
    Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
    Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
    Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

    2016 Third Party Candidates:
    Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
    Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
    Robert Steele(L-NY)
    Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
    Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
    Click for details -- or send donations to:
    1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
    E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
    (We rely on your support!)

    Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023