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Subscribe to RSSCOLUMBIA, S.C. -- With just over two months until South Carolina’s presidential primary, the state Supreme Court has yet to decide if counties must help cover the cost of conducting the election.
The Supreme Court today heard arguments in a lawsuit, brought by four South Carolina counties, claiming that the South Carolina Republican Party should cover the entire cost of conducting the 2012 primary election.
Until 2008, the primaries here were considered private affairs, funded by state parties. But during 2008’s wide-open primary, the legislature approved a law authorizing the use of taxpayer funds for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.
The counties, who say they were left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses that weren't reimbursed, fear that they’ll once again be left with a large bill in 2012. They contend that the 2008 law does not apply to subsequent primaries.
But state Attorney General Alan Wilson has said that two provisions in the current budget expressly allow the state election commission to use state funds for the 2012 election.
Joel Collins, the lawyer for the four counties, argued today that the two provisions do not mandate that the counties must accept the funds and that assuming otherwise “leapfrog[s] over into a result that wreaks great prejudice onto the counties.”
The election commission has set aside $680,000 for the Jan. 21st primary, and the state Republican Party plans on raising $1 million through candidates’ $35,000 filing fees and fundraising events.
Defending the use of public funds today were lawyers for both the South Carolina Republican and Democratic parties, a combination that the judges called an “unholy alliance.”
South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Chad Connelly said the teamwork demonstrated the strength of his party’s position.
“Other than the fact that we like Clemson football, me and [S.C. Democratic Party Chairman] Dick Harpootlian don’t agree on much,” Connelly said. “But to have him in there sitting in the room with me and his attorney’s arguing the point as well, it shows you that the Republican and the Democrat parties of South Carolina are committed to free and fair and impartial elections and access for everyone.”
But Collins said he wasn’t going to speculate on the decision.
“I’ve been doing this for 43 years and I’ve learned my lesson. I don’t predict what the jury’s going to do or what the court’s going to do,” Collins said.
State law requires public notice of elections be posted at least 60 days before the vote, meaning the court must make its decision by November 22nd.
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Easy, just call the Koch Brothers. They finance the Republican Party anyway so why not SC party?
Let George Soros and the labor unions finance the Democrat Party, or maybe Obama could make a donation from the one billion he is trying to raise for his campaign.
No Democratic primary for them to finance. Or did you miss that memo? Just wondering what you are talking about. Sounds like a SC problem to me.
AnaBanana:
You must lighten up on the retired Sergeant First Class. He is a long-time government employee and is living on his government pension. He has not had to think for himself in a long, long time. You know how those government types are.
Yeah David, I know how those retired military types are. They are the ones that gave up their free will in order for your ass to remain free. Maybe you should show some respect instead of your ignorance.
BrianB:
Perhaps I could show you my DD214. You're welcome.
By the way, I didn't give up my free will. That's why I got out. I prefer to think for myself. Get away from those right wing talking points, and try it yourself.
Oh so it's political ignorance you bear. I thought maybe it was your total disregard for a retired military person. So, while you were in the military for what? 4 years you had total free will? Try again bucko. I'll match you 214's any day of the week.
Right wing talking points? Why, what right wing talking points do you speak of? Maybe it's your insolence... or perhaps your unwitting liberality that views anyone that disagrees with you as a person with right wing talking points. Whatever Walker... typical liberal deflection. Doesn't change the way you make an ass out of yourself.
I find it amazing how obsessed most of the posters on this site are with the Koch brothers.
George Soros gets a free pass. A man who helped to lead Jews to their death during the Holocost. By his own words he took pride in taking away their possessions prior to their deaths. He is also a man who made over 2 Billion dollars by devaluing the British pound. He supported McCain/Feingold not out of any goal to take money out of federal campaigns, but so that he could solicit tons of soft money to fund democratic candidates. He created several PACs to fight Republican candidates and did not disclose his donors.
Last time I checked, the Koch brothers have not lead anyone to their deaths, or didn't destroy the british pound.
Brianb for bucko. to much coffee this morning. Doesn't change the way you make an ass out of your self. Thank You !!! You about wrote this post for me.
Janet you forget Rupert Murdock the head of faux news. Talk about a free ride. The koch bro's only want a President in there back pocket.
David Walker and BrianB and all those who have served: "Thank you for your service" Your comments are more than appreciated. Even if they start with "You lefty liberal . . . " 'cause I am!
sounds like these counties want to starve the beast. Interesting that in 2008 it was ok but not now...
I think it is criminal that taxpayer funds are used for partisan primaries. Why should that happen? Let them pay for their own primaries. Taxpayer money should only be used for general election and non-partisan primaries. Would the state pay for a green party primary if their were no democratic or republican primaries?
This is ridiculous. (I am a democrat)
But would you be saying the same thing if this were a democratic primary Ward? Think about it.
I live in Washington State which is a very blue state. Having said that the state will not be having primaries this year as we can't afford it. It will be interesting to see if this trend will continue the next time the Democratic Party has a candidate up for election. 2016 will tell.
How about a bake sale! The candidates can sell band candy! Have a tea party with a cover charge!
How much money are we talking about here. Solyndra size money?? Or something a lot less??
Hey, just hold a caucus like we do in Nevada. Lots cheaper. Just raise your hand.
It is so amusing to read these comments. As though people were actually choosing a good
candidate in the Republican bunch.
They forget that it is like this.
Here are some rotten bananas. Here are some spoiled grapes. There are a lot of mouldy apples.
Those are the ruined oranges.
Now choose the best one in the lot, and that will be your food.
Magnolia, It's really simple.
ABO 2012.
First of all this not a GOP Poltical Primary. This is instead a GOP "Carnival of Clowns!" Taking their political ignorance, and racial intolerance on the road. The GOP/RNC Circus Elephants are roaming around in a confused political, economic, and social manner. Their Circus Music is playing loud, and their spewing is just getting stranger by the minute. This fact! The recent ignorant comments of "Crazy Cain," "Scary Perry," and "Romulian Romney" is not shocking at all for Progressive Power. The Koch Brothers are donating to these GOP/RNC Poltical Spewers already, and they should pay for their own circus. Not the Government! Wait a minute! Now the GOP/RNC want someone else to pay their expenses?? This is Socialisn in the small minds of the Tea Beggers. Right?? "Bitchy Bachmann" is so mentally ill! That she wrongly believes that many citizens should starve! How many people think that "Bitchy Bachmann" is just evil?? Is it TREASON on her part to economically want fellow American Citizens to starve?? The party of NO can pay their own way, and they should do what they economically spew. The GOP/RNC Clowns do not know about about Energy Policy, and "Scary Perry" wants to cut departments of Government. The problem is that he does not know what they are. They do not know about Foreign Policy. "Crazy Cain" does not even know the Foreign Policies of President Obama. How can the GOP/RNC Clowns debate the President?? When they do not know what they are even talking about!! They do not know about Economic Policy, and they let Koch Brothers write this for them. They do not know about Social Policy. They all agree that their that there should not be one. What do these GOP/RNC Clowns know about??