Okay, South Carolina Wins
Every other Republican Party in every other state just needs to quit. South Carolina wins.
The best I can figure, there are two Republican candidates there who hate, hate, hate each other. Personally, from what I read, neither one of them is worth liking much at all.
There is a Republican state senator named Jake Knotts and he has an opponent named Katrina Shealy. So, we have the Knotts/Shealy Wars.
Jake Knotts: Strong Dislike of Ragheads
The first act:
First, a state Supreme Court ruling resulted in Shealy being removed from the June 12 Republican primary ballot. That ruling came after a paid campaign worker for Knotts filed a lawsuit alleging Shealy and others did not file their paperwork correctly. Then, last week, Knotts used legislative maneuvers to kill a Senate bill that would have allowed Shealy back on the ballot.
Well, that’s just pretty crummy, isn’t it?
So, Shealy asked the South Carolina Republican Party’s executive committee to remove Knotts from the ballot because “he has previously issued a duel challenge to former South Carolina Republican First Vice Chairman Patrick Haddon.”
Yes, duel.
Katrina Shealy: Strong Dislike of Duels
Apparently, they still duel in South Carolina and it’s not the Dick Cheney kind of duel where you just shoot some guy in the face. Apparently, both men are armed. I don’t know a whole lot about it because it went out of popularity about the same time pistols got more accurate, making it a whole lot harder to determine the winner of a duel.
Also apparently, which I say because I am no expert in the South Carolina Constitution, it is illegal to challenge someone to a duel.
“any person who shall fight a duel or send or accept a challenge for that purpose, or be an aider or abettor in fighting a duel, shall be deprived of holding any office of honor or trust in this State.”
I’ll bet she stirred up some dust finding that one!
Now, if you’re like me and God help ya if you are, you are probably wondering when this duel issuing happened. In an anachronistic miracle, it happened on Twitter.
In the summer of 2010, Knotts — appearing on Pub Politics, a weekly Internet talk show — referred to President Barack Obama and then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley as “ragheads.” Shortly thereafter, Haddon — a state party official — called on Knotts to resign.
On Dec. 22, 2010, Haddon posted to his Twitter account: “Sen. Jake Knotts challenged me to a duel today. Senator, take your best shot. You couldn’t hurt Nikki, you won’t hurt me.”
Well, there ya go. Metaphorically speaking.
Patrick Haddon: Strong Dislike of Returning Reporters' Calls
So, now we add Republican Patrick Haddon to this mix, who, according to reports, is not answering his phone.
I can’t imagine why. Why would you miss out on this statesman-like opportunity to weigh in on duels, ragheads, and 1880 South Carolina constitutional issues?
So, wrap it up Texas, Arizona, Florida … wrap it up because South Carolina wins Republican Crazytown.
But, they might even top themselves —
The Republican Party’s executive committee will hear five protests Wednesday from candidates — including Shealy — challenging the decision to remove them from the primary ballot.
I can hardly wait!
Thanks to Irene for the heads-up.
How did Knotts get away with killing that Senate bill? Why didn’t someone yell, “Conflict of interest!” on him? Then again, if someone yelled that more often, the Texas Teacher Retirement System wouldn’t have lost all that money in a Vegas casino owned by a Perry supporter.
1I liked “politics” better when it was about public service.
Now it’s war.
@SusanF…… I’ve looked in vain in the local paper for a story about the TRS and Las Vegas casinos, and Perry. I guess it’s not important enough for them to assign a reporter to cover.
People wonder how Perry got re-elected as many times as he has….. there seems to be a huge reluctance on the press in this state, to inform the public on this kind of stuff that he does. “Ignorance is Bliss”….. is an understatement here in Texas. Thank goodness for “non-blogs” like Juanita’s.
2There is a lot of cannibalism is republican South Carolinian politics. But this sometimes happens when the species overpopulates and outgrows its habitat.
3Whew – This takes the “heat” off the rest of us Texans, Tennesseans and various “other” Southern folk for about a minute for saying and/or commiting morannic acts~or random acts of STOOPIDITY~
4This is bizarre.
5Back in 1953 the University of Georgia in Athens still had a rule on its books prohibiting students from participating in duels. Those who survived could get expelled, you-all.
Repubs being traditionalists (they think) and all, I’m in favor of Republican duels.
6If I was as big of a target as Knotts, I would refrain from challenging anyone to a duel.
7If they vote by weight, Jake’s the guy.
8Republicans in Texas, Arizona and Florida may just consider this a challenge.
9I’ll take Haddon in a fight unless Knotts falls on him. I guess if Knotts loses the duel they’ll refer to the cemetery as………………..KNOTT’S BURY FARM……………………..
10@Sam Did you slip on the dark sunglasses when you delivered that pun?
11Maybe the Ds need to get in touch with their inner Andy Jackson…. or stand back, and let the Rs do their thing. Could make the R’s convention, with all those armed delegates much, much more interesting this year.
12