 |
|
 |
|
|
Greenville News - Opinion
Wednesday, May 7, 2003 - Last year, South
Carolina Democrats were anxious and dispirited. Some were openly
angry at a governor who acted like a Republican in Democratic
garb.
This year, however, Democrats were in a celebratory mood at
their state convention. Enthusiasm and aggressive optimism pervaded
the air.
As a part of the event last weekend, nine Democratic presidential
hopefuls came to Columbia to drum up support, raise partisan
spirit and deliver the first nationally televised presidential
debate of the 2004 election.
More than 2,000 pepped-up S.C. delegates, about twice as many
as last year, attended the convention. The national media swarmed
the building.
Delegates enjoyed their moment in the sun. It was a brief interlude
away from the reality of a Republican-dominated state where
most Democratic candidates face daunting odds against getting
elected.
Last year, the delegates seemed glum. They sensed that most
Democratic candidates, including then-Gov. Jim Hodges, were
headed for defeat in the November election. Some delegates were
openly hostile toward Hodges, who seemed to be impersonating
a Republican in his effort to fend off Mark Sanford.
Hodges, it should be remembered, had killed an increase in the
cigarette tax, a stable funding source for Medicaid health care
for low-income South Carolinians. It was a tax hike supported
by responsible Republicans and, at least initially, by many
Democrats.
In addition, Hodges denied clemency to Richard Charles Johnson,
whose guilt for the 1985 slaying of a state trooper was highly
questionable. Hundreds had urged Hodges to at least postpone
Johnson's execution pending DNA evidence. But Hodges refused;
Johnson was executed.
Democrats were stunned. The two issues touched on concerns near
to the Democratic heart: justice and health care for the poor.
With Democrats like Hodges, a few party loyalists privately
grumbled, who needed Republicans?
Flash forward to this year's convention: what a change. Democrats
embraced the scrappy enthusiasm that is the underdog's chief
advantage. They enjoyed rousing speeches from the nine presidential
candidates, who punched all the right buttons: education, health
care, jobs, security, deficit reduction, civil rights.
Greenville business owner Joe Erwin was the overwhelming choice
for state party chairman. He pledged a new focus on "we"
(the party) rather than "me," perhaps an unflattering
reference to Dick Harpootlian, his two-fisted predecessor.
Enthusiasm is high but electoral success for Democrats will
still be an uphill battle, both on the national and state levels.
On the national level, Democrats are facing a very popular President
Bush who espouses traditional Republican principles but also
is beating Democrats at their own game by embracing liberal
ideas such as big spending increases for health care and education.
On the state level, however, Democrats couldn't ask for a better
agenda. The state is in crisis and Republicans have the misfortune
of being the party in control. Lawmakers are cutting basic funding
for education and health care, driving up private health insurance
premiums. The state has some of the deadliest roads and the
highest rate of domestic violence in the nation. Jobs are being
lost and college tuition is soaring. The state prison system
is dangerously understaffed — and little attempt is being
made to give prisoners work-place skills.
In addition, Republicans are burdened with the increasingly
ridiculous Andre Bauer, the lieutenant governor who'll probably
remain an albatross around the state GOP's neck.
None of this guarantees Democratic victory at the state polls.
South Carolina remains strongly Republican and the electorate
has not reacted with outrage at the Legislature's dismantling
of vital state services.
In the end, it matters little what party controls the state.
Both Democrats and Republicans should focus less on the next
election than on what's best for a struggling South Carolina.
A hope is that they'll worry less about winning and worry far
more about deserving to win.
<Back
to Home |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
