Just got this release from our friend Phil Bailey:
Senator Leventis Condemns Attack on Spratt
Sumter, SC – South Carolina Senator Phil Leventis (D-Sumter) today condemned the National Republican Congressional Committee for their attack on Congressmen John Spratt. NRCC spokesman Andy Sere attacked Congressman Spratt by implying that his “memory must be failing him” and calling him “Amnesiac John” in a press statement on Monday.
Senator Leventis issued the following statement:
“Statements like that should have no place in our political debate. To denigrate a man who has committed much of his adult life to serving his state and his country is troubling. This type chicanery has no place in a public forum. No one from the National Republican Congressional Committee lives here and none of them would call a family or friend amnesic just because they have a disease which is well controlled.”
“It’s not the dog in the fight, it’s the fight in the dog. My good friend, Congressman Spratt, has one of the keenest minds in the Congress. His understanding of complex issues and ability to navigate the halls of government has served our state well. And disgusting comments like the ones from the Republicans are to be condemned.”
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Amen to that.
This episode aside, I get really tired of John Spratt having strong opposition every two years, no matter what. That sounds really undemocratic of me; I know. Doug would say I’m defending perpetual incumbency, and it’s a good thing when these “career politicians” have opposition to keep them on their toes. But I say it for these reasons:
- John Spratt is, and has been for as long as I can recall, the strongest member of South Carolina’s House delegation, both in terms of ability and service to the state and country. And he’s one of the brighter, soberest, least partisan members of Congress.
- Other members of our delegation NEVER get the kind of strong, well-funded opposition that Spratt gets — certainly not Joe Wilson or Jim Clyburn. (And if you think Rob Miller constitutes strong opposition, you haven’t taken a close look at him. The fact that he has money just means that a stronger candidate can’t emerge.) It would be MUCH better for the state and country if hyperpartisan reps like them had strong opposition than Spratt.
- The REASON Spratt always has this opposition is not because his district is dissatisfied with him, but because the national Republican Party always has him in their sights. The national GOP believes that district should belong to it, rather than to the people of the 5th District.
So that’s why I get tired of it. All that money spent, all that energy, every two years, just because Washington Republicans want another hashmark in their column.
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Wow this is disgusting, even for Republicans.
And I meant Republican (partisan would have been a better word) campaigning. I shouldn’t have implied Republicans are all disgusting.
I live in the 5th district and I agree 100%. Every 2 years I witness ads paid for by people who do no live here who want Spratt out. I wish they would leave the 5th district alone.
Brad, have you ever considered the possibility that Spratt is a good congressman BECAUSE he gets challenged every 2 years?
Good thought, Bud. Maybe, among other things, not having a safe seat helps keep him from becoming a hyperpartisan like Clyburn and Wilson.
But it still offends me to see out-of-state partisans trying to manipulate who will be elected in a SC district.
We’re fortunate to have a man of Spratt’s abilities serving the 5th district. He’s all about nuts and bolts and boring charts and such, but that beats the heck out of empty rhetoric and sound bites.
Spratt has faced and overcome all opposition thrown at him from inside and outside the state. After the votes are counted this year, he will win again. Why? Because the people of his district like, trust, and depend on him to be their voice in Washington. He is a Democrat I would have no problem supporting.
The major complaint against Spratt is his relationship with Pelosi. It can be boiled down to that statement.
However, in our district, Clyburn has a job for life and even a few years after he is buried if he wants. Anyone running against him is wasting time and precious resources.
When the decision was made to redraw the district, my friend Robin Tallon was the representative. Robin represented the entire district, all constituents, not a selective demographic. Even the former congressman, John Jenrette worked for all in the district. He accepted money from the rich, poor, and all in between – never questioning where a dollar come from.
Actually, Robin Tallon and John Jenrette (and my Bennettsville homeboy John Napier) represented the 6th District, which is now occupied by Jim Clyburn.
Portions of the 5th District used to be in the 6th, though, such as Marlboro County.
As for relationship with Pelosi… Jim Leventis (Phil’s cousin) is close friends with Pelosi, and is in fact her youngest daughter’s godfather. And I would gladly support Jim were he to run for Congress again (as he did, unsuccessfully, against Floyd Spence in 1988).
Bottom line, they’re all just people, and have their good, human sides, which the hyperpartisan blogosphere labors night and day to make us forget. I recommend watching a film made by Alexandra Pelosi, Jim’s goddaughter, as an illustration of that point…
Brad, I live in Clyburn’s district.
Sorry. I missed your transitional sentence there. I thought you were still talking about the 5th when you mentioned those previous congressmen.
Never mind…
Bart, my condolences.
Spratt is worthy of continued support for his spectacular record of effective support for military installations in South Carolina.
His earmarks are ethical, justifiable, and disprove those who blindly attack all such spending as waste.
If you agree, do spread the word. The anti-Spratt folks are all over the web and dominating many newspaper opinion sections. Speak up and be heard.