Giuliani's chances in S.C. not dead

Former state GOP chairman takes over campaign after Ravenel charges

It's not the kind of publicity New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani would have wished for, but most agree his South Carolina campaign won't see lasting damage from troubles of its former chairman, suspended S.C. Treasurer Thomas Ravenel.

Barry Wynn, a Spartanburg businessman and former state Republican Party chairman, was tapped to succeed Ravenel after the treasurer's indictment on federal charges of cocaine possession and distribution. Ravenel also was suspended from his position as state treasurer Tuesday by Gov. Mark Sanford.

Wynn said when Republican voters make their presidential pick next year, they will be thinking of the candidates, not who was backing them.

"I think it will have no effect on the campaign and the results in January," Wynn said. "Every campaign has adversities. You just have to go through these adversities."

University of South Carolina political science professor Blease Graham agreed.

"It should be the kind of thing that, with an accomplished replacement, the campaign could get restarted and move along fairly quickly," he said.

Wynn said he talked with Giuliani this week, but their conversation wasn't about Ravenel; it was about the city of Charleston's loss of nine firefighters Monday night. Giuliani was mayor of New York during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the last time so many firefighters died in the line of duty.

Wynn said Ravenel's father, former congressman and current Charleston County School Board member Arthur Ravenel, still is chairing Giuliani's Lowcountry campaign. "We certainly hope the best for the Ravenel family and that it works out for them," Wynn added.

Wynn said he likely will be a more hands-on chairman than Ravenel, partly because Ravenel had other duties as the state's new treasurer.

While Giuliani's campaign may rebound quickly, Ravenel's political future — even if he is acquitted — is another matter.

"I think it's a body blow politically," Graham said. "To use the old Monopoly phrase, it's 'Back to go.' That's probably putting a good cast on it because, in reality, it's probably not going back to the start but back in a hole. Politically, it's just a disaster in my opinion."

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postand courier.com.