PoliTick-Tock

South Strand GOP to open headquarters

As November's national, state and local elections approach, the South Strand Republican Club plans to open a campaign headquarters in Surfside Beach.

Campaign materials, brochures and literature will be available, and a phone back will be set up to support Republican candidates.

The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and lunch reception at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 16.

The storefront office, donated by state Rep. Nelson Hardwick, is Unit E at 8703 U.S. 17 Bypass South, in the Bonefish Grill and Beef O'Brady's shopping center.

S.C. Senator to speak at GOP Convention

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will speak on the last night of the Republican National Convention next week, organizers announced.

Graham will speak Sept. 4, the same night as nominee John McCain -- Graham's staunch ally in the Senate. The schedule is still being finalized, but Graham now appears to be the only South Carolinia politician on the program.

Obama, or mock Obama?

Whether you support the candidate of "Change We Can Believe In" or his opponent, "A Leader We Can Believe In," there's a political event for you on Saturday.

In the morning, supporters of Democratic nominee Barack Obama will set up a tent on Waverly Road to hand out campaign materials and voter-registration forms from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Montgomery of Pawleys Island for Obama at elizm4444@yahoo.com.

Starting at 5 p.m., the Grand Strand Young Republicans will host ``Yes We Can! -- a mock Barack membership drive,'' a recruiting party featuring games designed to make fun of the Democratic candidate. Among the events will be "Pin the American Flag on Barack," a "Dunk Barack Obama" dunking booth, and "Barack's Flip Flop Toss."

Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served at the Forestbrook clubhouse, and John McCain campaign literature will be available. For more information, contact Young Republicans secretary Russell Fry at (843) 421-4587.

Full menu of political fare

If you haven't yet had your fill of chicken bog or campaign promises, there's a full slate of political events over the next week.

• Coroner Robert Edge's re-election committee will have a fundraising dinner Sunday at Luigi's Trattoria. The cost is $50 per person or $75 per couple, with the meal, soft drinks and tax and tip included.

WHEN | 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE | Luigi's Trattoria, 503 61st Ave N, Myrtle Beach.

MORE INFO | John Bonsignor, 385-3963.

• On Monday, the Horry County Democratic Party is holding a "Meet the Democratic Candidate Forum" in Conway. Enthusiastic demonstrations of support are encouraged, but surrogate speakers are not allowed.

WHEN | 6 p.m. Monday.

WHERE | Bethel AME Church at the corner of Racepath and Smith Streets in Conway.

MORE INFO | Racepath1horry@aol.com.

• Also, don't forget a slew of other events, posted below on this blog: today's Republican debate hosted by the South Strand Republican Club, Monday's Campaign Whistle Stop hosted by the Myrtle Beach Republicans, and the "Luke vs. Liz" debate hosted by the Conway Federation of Republican Women.

More campaign fun, MB GOP-style

The Myrtle Beach Republican Club is hosting a "Campaign Whistle Stop," inviting all GOP candidates to the Historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot for a night of chicken bog and campaigning.

Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, South Carolina House and Senate, Horry County Council, Auditor, Treasurer, Clerk of Court, Coroner and Sheriff are all invited. 

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and campaign speeches start an hour later Monday, May 19 at the train depot, 851 Broadway St., Myrtle Beach.

For further information, contact Mary Henry at 444-4364 or myrtlebeachrepublicanclub@gmail.com.

Viers quotes presidents in radio spot

A new radio advertisement by state Rep. Thad Viers' re-election campaign features the Republican lawmaker from Myrtle Beach using quotes from two former Presidents to support his fight against illegal immigration.

Viers first invokes John Quincy Adams' aphorism that "Who we are is who we were" -- originally part of his 1840 defense of the Africans who revolted on board the slave ship Amistad. Viers then quotes Teddy Roosevelt in 1907 saying, "We have room for but one flag and one language and sole loyalty to the American people."

"That kind of commitment to our constitution has been at the core of my leadership on illegal immigration and on every important issue,'' Viers concludes.

In the June 10 Republican primary, Viers faces former Horry County school board chairwoman Helen Smith and Realtors' association representative Steven Neeves.

No Democrats filed in Viers' District 68.

filings update

Incumbents have been slower to file with their political parties in Horry and Georgetown counties this season. Robert Rabon, Chairman of the Horry County Republican Party said incumbents normally file early to show they have a strong commitment to the race.

``We normally have incumbents file in the first few days,'' he said. ``I do know that a few of them have been held up with other things. I think by the weekend most of them will have made it in.''

Filings for office

Filings with the Horry and Georgetown political parties began on Sunday and will continue through the end of March. Although most of the filings have been incumbents at this early stage, there have been a few challengers and surprises. We'll continue to post new filings on Politick-tock and on C2 of the print edition until the filing period closes. The following is a list of people who had filed as of 4:00 p.m.

MB Republicans to discuss economy

With the dominance of the economy in the current Presidential campaign and rising challenges on the Grand Strand, the Myrtle Beach Republican Club has scheduled two speakers on the topic for its next meeting.

Nick Sherfesee, president Grand Strand of First Reliant Bank, and Judy Blackburn, owner of Atlantic Home Mortgage, will lead a discussion of commercial and individual finance issues, club officials said.

"Foreclosures in the real estate market, sliding interest rates, and an uncertain Wall Street are sending mixed messages," the invitation states.

There is no charge and the meeting is open to the public.   

WHAT | Myrtle Beach Republican Club meeting

WHEN | 6 p.m. March 17

WHERE | Paradise Resort, 2201 South Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach

MORE INFORMATION | Mary Henry, 444-4364 or myrtlebeachrepublicanclub@gmail.com.

 

Get your fill of party politics

If the continuing primary season doesn't satisfy your need for party politics, here's a sample of local party gatherings this month:

• The Horry County Democratic Party will hold its county convention March 10 to select new party officers and delegates to the state convention. Anyone is welcome to attend, but only delegates selected at the recent precinct reorganization meetings can vote.

WHEN | 5 p.m. Monday, March 10

WHERE | Burroughs and Chapin Auditorium on the main campus of Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

MORE INFORMATION | Call 488-4237.

• The Grand Strand Young Republican Club will holds its fourth meeting the same night, March 10. The guest speaker will be a member of the Horry County Police Department SWAT Team. The meeting is open to the public.

WHEN | 6 p.m. Monday, March 10.

WHERE | Paradise Resort, 2201 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach.

MORE INFORMATION | Britton Pruett, (843) 455-7961 or grandstrandyrs@gmail.com.

• Finally, the South Strand Republican Club will hold its annual awards dinner-dance at the end of the month. The Terry B. Cooper "Eagle Award" will be presented to state Sen. Ray Cleary III, the Woman of the Year award will go to Darlene Hyman, and Man of the Year will be state Rep. Thad Viers.

WHEN | 6 p.m. March 28.

WHERE | Inlet Affairs (across from Drunken Jacks), 4024 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet.

TICKETS | $40 per person, or $75 per couple.

MORE INFORMATION | Bill Schweitzer at (843) 215-5030, Charlie Soto at (843) 655-1793, or John E. Bonsignor at (843) 385-3963.