VUI Top 9 most powerful politicians in SC

In compiling this list, VUI did not join in the parlor games of what political insider, lobbyist or consultant had the most power. We will leave that urinating contest to others. Instead, VUI looked at elected officials and determined which among them are the most powerful. These are guys the consultants and lobbyists have to live with, whether they like them or not. Here we go.

9) SC State Representative Dan Cooper, (R- Piedmont). As Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Cooper is the heavy in all budget decisions. House members line up to win his favor as the budget is put together.

8) SC State Senator Hugh Leatherman, (R-Florence). Leatherman is Chairman of the State Senate Finance Committee, which gives him the weight of Cooper in the House. Leatherman gets the edge because of the state senate rules.

7) Congressman Joe Wilson. Wilson’s outburst of “you lie!” might have rallied Democrats, but it rallied Republicans more. At the end of 2010, Wilson will likely be the senior Republican on the SC delegation to the United States House.

6) Congressman Jim Clyburn. Clyburn is known for his personal touch and his famous fish fries. Clyburn also has the safest Congressional seat in South Carolina and the ear of the President of the United States.

5) Congressman John Spratt. Spratt faces a tough challenge in 2010, but he remains South Carolina’s most influential voice in the federal budget process.

4) Senator Lindsey Graham. Sure, some GOP activists loathe the guy. Other Republicans like me criticize him. But, Graham has growing clout on Capitol Hill that cannot be ignored.

3) Senator Jim DeMint. DeMint is hated by the left in this state. But, DeMint has the old Thurmond knack of standing for the right and serving his constituents. DeMint has a lot more bipartisan respect and support than some want to give him. Not only will DeMint cruise to re-election, but it is likely DeMint will emerge as the true leader of SC’s federal delegation.

2) South Carolina House of Representatives Speaker Bobby Harrell. Government at the state level often impacts our daily lives much more than government at the federal level. With such a weakened Governor, the General Assembly is now where the action is. Speaker Harrell made sure of that and will push his agenda fully this session.

1) South Carolina State Senator and State Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell. There is one member of the General Assembly who knows the rules and the ends of out of Columbia better than Speaker Harrell: Glenn McConnell. The man who would have never been Lt. Governor has a tight grip on the SC State Senate and every bill of any consequence has to come through him. Even “reform” he proposes seems to take care of him, and no one seems to have the guts to call him on it. Like the legendary Edgar Brown of old, McConnell remains and Governors and other statewide officials come and go. Nothing in Columbia gets done without him.