The New Year is getting started off in an unexpected way down on the coast of South Carolina. First, in the sports world, the Charleston Cougars shocked the college basketball nation by upsetting the ninth ranked North Carolina Tarheels in a rare home game against a bigger team. What makes the upset really big is that the mid major Cougars seemed be struggling this season under legendary coach Bobby Cremins. But, Cremins apparently still had some magic left to pull out of his bag of tricks, and the Cougar win is easily gong to be one of 2010's biggest sports upsets.
Some folks were as shocked over Congressman Henry Brown's retirement announcement as they were about the Charleston basketball win. Frankly, VUI is not shocked over Brown's retirement. Brown is 74, has spent nearly 30 years in public life and has the right to call his own political ending. There is something honorable about a man or woman knowing when it is time to step down and do so with dignity and grace. So, VUI says, thank you Henry Brown for your service to South Carolina and for you dignified and graceful exit from the political scene.
That said, every political blogger, pundit and news outlet are offering speculation about who will be running to replace Brown. Brown's exit does make 2010 more interesting for South Carolina. One third of the South Carolina U.S. House delegation will be replaced for sure. In addition, Bob Inglis, Joe Wilson and John Spratt all face tougher than normal races. The only completely safe seat is the one held by Jim Clyburn.
The names for Brown's race alone go on and on. There are state representatives, state senators, political activists, Thurmonds, Campbells, and even the likes of former Congressman Tommy Hartnett, Governor Mark Sanford, and Lt. Governor Andre Bauer mentioned. VUI will be honest enough to state we don't know who will be the next Congressman from the First District at this time. It could be someone we have never heard of before in state politics. Such happened in a year much like this one, 1994, when some real estate developer who sat up card tables at Wal-Marts to talk to voters got elected. That guy's name was Mark Sanford.
But, of course, the pundits will pontificate. By months end, someone will, either trying to show off their skills, or doing what they are paid to, declare the front runner for Disrict 1. VUI is hoping one of the nice carriage drivers of Charleston joins the race, or one of those basket weavers at the Charleston Market who have pithy bits of wisdom to say while they are making baskets. Perhaps it will be some ole sea dog captain of a shrimp boat. Perhaps a hotel owner who has pleased customers for years will step up. How refreshing it would be to have a member of Congress in South Carolina who was not tied to this or that consulting firm and knew how the real folks of South Carolina live everyday.
Chances are, none of those folks will be the next Congressman from the First District. But, after what Charleston did on the basketball court, we can dream can't we?
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
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