PoliTick-Tock

Jim Rex speaking to the Democrats

Don't forget -- S.C. Superintendent of Education Jim Rex will be the guest speaker at the Beach Dems breakfast, starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Akel's Restaurant at 65th Avenue North and Kings Highway.

There are no reservations required. The buffet breakfast costs $7 per person.

For more information, contact Sally P. Howard at 449-1936 or sallyphoward@aol.com.

Myrtle Beach candidate wants to meet you

Myrtle Beach City Council candidate Adam Parness will hold a meet-and-greet event from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Sugami restaurant, 4812 N. Kings Highway.

The free event is open to everyone.

This fall will present many chances to meet council candidates and hear them talk about why they believe they will be strong members of the city leadership team.

McMaster opens bid with swipe at governor

S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster launched his campaign website Monday, starting his official bid for the Republican nod for governor and in his first official message to voters took a swipe at Governor Mark Sanford.

Unlike the other politicians vying for the spot, who have stayed mum when answering questions about Sanford or his recent political woes due to personal scandal and questions about travel spending, McMaster started his campaign with a video message saying South Carolinians don't trust the governor and faulting the Obama administration for the state's unemployment issues.

To see the video ad, click on this link to McMaster's campaign page. The video plays on its own.

And they're off...

Keith Van Winkle, who ran unsuccessfully against Horry County Councilman Marion Foxworth last time around, has announced he will announce his candidacy for Myrtle Beach mayor at an event Tuesday.

Van Winkle is holding a rally from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot with free food and music, and said he will talk about crime, taxes, tourism and the local economy.

For more information, call Van Winkle at 467-0484 or e-mail him at vanwinkle4mbmayor@yahoo.com.

 

Governor Sanford's Communication Director to leave

Joel Sawyer, who was in the hot seat when S.C. Governor Mark Sanford disappeared for four days last month, announced his resignation from his position as Communications Director for the governor's office.

Gov. Sanford held a press conference upon his return announcing that he had been in Argentina with a woman he was having an affair with, again putting Sawyer on the hot seat to handle the media.

Sawyer sent out a news release about his own resignation early this afternoon.

National Journal awards S.C. state government dubious honor

The National Journal has taken a look at several factors in state governments around the country and come up with a list of governments that, well, aren't doing so hot right now. South Carolina, mostly due to the recent scandal in Gov. Mark Sanford's office, made the list of dysfunctional state governments at number five.

The good, the bad and the blunt -- Lindsey Graham

Our U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has been busy making headlines throughout the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee judge Sonia Sotomayor with one-off notables that reporters using Twitter to cover the hearings have grown to love.

Beach Dems talking taxes with city councilmember

The Beach Dems will meet for breakfast and to hear from guest speaker Myrtle Beach City Councilmember Wayne Gray, who will discuss the 1-cent sales tax proposal and potential elimination of property tax on owner-occupied homes.

The buffet and meeting starts at 8 a.m. Friday at Akel's restaurant on North Kings Highway. Breakfast is $7 per person and no reservations are required.

For more information, contact Sally P. Howard at 449-1936 or sallyphoward@aol.com.

Carolina Forest GOP club to meet

The Carolina Forest Republican Club will hear from Cameron Crawford, chief community director for Rep. Henry Brown, when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at China Buffet on North 38th Avenue in Myrtle Beach.

Club President Jamie Roberts said Crawford will discuss immigration, pensions, veterans' affairs and Social Security, and will answer questions from the audience.

The meeting is open to all.

For more information, call Roberts at 424-3104.

Casual atmosphere as Atlantic Beach votes

In striking contrast to its recent elections, an air of nonchalance reigned over Atlantic Beach today as voters trickled to the polls for a Town Council special election.

By early afternoon, only 33 votes had been cast as residents chose between Josephine Isom, John Sketers and Kantrese Wright to fill the vacancy on the Town Council left by Retha Pierce's election to mayor in January. The high-tension atmosphere of that election -- with its series of Supreme Court orders, campaigning complaints, contested ballots and even contested candidates -- was largely absent today.

Tea Party planning tea party

The Myrtle Beach Tea Party is joining with 1,500 other cities around the country for the Tax Day Tea Party.

 

The group will meet from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Chapin Park in Myrtle Beach.

 

The National Tax Day Tea Parties are designed to bring attention to government overspending. The Tea Party movement is a loose affiliation of local, independent organizations across the country. Organizers say the Myrtle Beach Tea Party is involved because it shares the values of fiscal responsibility, limited government and free markets.

 

For more information, call Stephen at 995-1012.

MB Republicans plan meeting

The next meeting of the Myrtle Beach Republican Club will be at noon Monday, April 20, at Damon's Oceanfront Grill, 2985 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach.

Guest speaker is Karen Floyd, candidate for chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. The meeting is open to the public. The regular restaurant lunch menu will be available for individual purchase.

For updated information and be to be added to the club's e-mail list, contact Mary Henry at 444-4364 or myrtlebeachrepublicanclub@gmail.com.

MB Republicans plan meeting

The next meeting of the Myrtle Beach Republican Club will be at noon Monday, April 20, at Damon's Oceanfront Grill, 2985 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach.

Guest speaker is Karen Floyd, candidate for chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. The meeting is open to the public. The regular restaurant lunch menu will be available for individual purchase.

For updated information and be to be added to the club's e-mail list, contact Mary Henry at 444-4364 or myrtlebeachrepublicanclub@gmail.com.

South Strand GOP to dine, dance and honor accomplishments

The south Strand Republican Club is holding its annual awards ceremony and dinner dance at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 17 at Inlet Affairs Banquet & Catering, 4027 U.S.17 Business in Murrells Inlet.

 

The club will honor three people for their accomplishments and dedication to the principles of the Republican Party and for their work within their community to foster better understanding and leadership on the ideals of good citizenship: The Terry B. Cooper Award goes to John E. Bonsignor, SSRC president; the Jean McDowell Woman of the Year Award goes to Freda Munsey, secretary of the Horry County Republican Party; and the Man of the Year Award goes to Joseph DeFeo, a member of the Horry County Board of Education.

 

Tickets are $45 per person, tax and tip included, with $5 going into a 2010 campaign fund for the South Strand Republican candidates running for elected office.

The dinner includes a buffet with meat, vegetables, potatoes, dessert, coffee and tea and a cash bar.

Opera singer Jeff Jones will sing the at the beginning and end of the dance.

For information and tickets, call Rod Smith at 238-0189 or Charlie Soto at 655-1793.

Don't forget about Beach Dems breakfast

The Beach Dems will meet for breakfast and to hear from Sen. Vincent Sheheen, the only Democrat who has formed an exploratory committee for governor, at 8 a.m. Friday at Akel's restaurant, 65th Avenue North and Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach.

The breakfast buffet is $7 and no reservations are required.

For more information, contact Sally P. Howard at 449-1936 or sallyphoward@aol.com.
 

Democrats holding Jefferson Jackson Dinner

The South Carolina Democratic Party is holding its Jefferson Jackson Dinner on Friday, April 24, in Columbia, and reservations are required by Wednesday, April 15.

Delegates and alternates may buy one ticket each for $100; other tickets are $150. 

Checks should be made out to the South Carolina Democratic Party and delivered or mailed to the Horry County Democratic party office, 900 Fourth Ave. S., Suite A, Conway, SC 29526. 

Dinner begins at 7 p.m., but there is a reception preceeding at 6 p.m.

As soon as the guest speaker is announced, the party will send out an e-mail.

MB Republican women to meet

The Myrtle Beach Republican Women's Club will hear from North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley and Karen Floyd, a candidate for S.C. GOP chair, at the group's regular monthly meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Dunes Golf and Ocean Club, 9000 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach.

The buffet lunch is $20 and guests are welcome.

For more information, call President Johnnie Bellamy at 272-6885. 

This week in politics

If the ongoing battle between Gov. Mark Sanford and U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn over the state's participation in the federal stimulus package isn't sating your political appetite, there will be a few special events locally this week.

Republicans on both sides of the state line have a full plate with precinct reorganization as they chart the direction of their party, and supporters of President Barack Obama may be interested in the Organizing for America 2.0 S.C. Economic Recovery forum in Conway. 

Governor to describe stimulus plans

Gov. Mark Sanford, who has made a national name for himself opposing President Obama's stimulus package, will outline his plans for the money allocated to South Carolina on Wednesday, his office announced.

Sanford's control over the money is limited -- when he made his opposition known, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn wrote provisions into the federal bill allowing the legislature to accept much of it if Sanford does not -- but the governor has the right of first refusal.

This week's political events

Here's a look at the political events on tap this week. 

Special guests of note are S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster in town as he continues to "consider" a gubernatorial run and Beach First president Walt Standish speaking to the Beach Dems. 

Anyone captivated by Dillon middle-schooler Ty'sheoma Bethea's letter to President Barack Obama might also want to catch the "Corridor of Shame" documentary showing in Georgetown.