Candidates clash over identity theft claims
By Dave Munday
The Post and Courier
Mike Rose
The Post and Courier
Bill Collins
SUMMERVILLE—The fight for a Summerville-area state senate seat is heating up.
Former newspaper publisher Bill Collins sent out a stinging e-mail Monday blasting former state senator and current Republican nominee Mike Rose for saying Collins' petition drive could lead to identify theft.
Several weeks ago, Rose sent out e-mails criticizing Collins for requesting Social Security numbers on his petition to get on the November ballot as an independent. Collins responded by pointing out that Rose, who won the June 10 GOP primary against incumbent Sen. Randy Scott, also is circulating petitions asking for Social Security numbers.
"Mike Rose has proven himself to be a typical professional politician and lawyer," Collins said in a statement Monday. "He talks out of both sides of his mouth, saying whatever suits his purpose. ... Shame on you Mike Rose! You owe the citizens of District 38 an apology for your duplicitous behavior. As a small businessman who has never held elective office, I see now firsthand why folks are so fed up with politics as usual."
Rose is circulating a petition for ordinances to control growth in Dorchester County. The petition has a space for a voter registration number or Social Security number, as does Collins' petition. Both petitions are standard forms from the state Election Commission.
But Rose points out that he's asking those who sign his petitions to mail or hand-deliver them directly to his law office, while Collins is sending out volunteers knocking on doors.
"There is an enormous difference between having a petition hand-delivered or mailed to a law firm and giving personal information to unknown third parties," Rose said. "People have no idea who is going to be handling them. The issue is how you're going to protect the information. He's just going out collecting petitions helter-skelter. It's an identity thief's dream."
People who sign petitions are not required to provide their Social Security numbers, but they can help verify signatures when people don't have their voter registration number, State Election Commission Public Information Officer Chris Whitmire said.
Petitions become public record once they're turned into the election commission — unlike a vote, which remains confidential. But the election commission always masks Social Security numbers before making petitions public, Whitmire said.
"You should always be aware who you're giving this information to," he said.
Reach Dave Munday at 745-5862 or dmunday@ postandcourier.com.
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Comments
bkc6 (anonymous) says...
Anyone wishing to sign the petition for Bill Collins can do so at 125 Orangeburg Rd. in Summerville. Just of Dorchester Rd. We will be there between 9am and 5pm, Monday thur Friday. Look for the signs.
July 1, 2008 at 8 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LWHITNER (anonymous) says...
Or you can sign at 265 Stallsville Loop, house beside Stallsville Methodist, Monday - Thursday from 7 am until 4 pm or call us and we will come to you. 843-832-3212.
July 1, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Floger76 (anonymous) says...
So let me get this straight. Mr. Rose is having "those who sign his petitions to mail or hand-deliver them directly to his law office" So every person is signing a seperate petition to send in, and there are never more than 1 signature per petition??? Unless that is how it is being done, what is the difference between the 2???
July 1, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wegwam (anonymous) says...
support bill collins!
mike rose lost in the 90s for a reason.
July 1, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
myheartwillgoon (anonymous) says...
These Mike Rose petitions have been around for more than a year and he doesn't have but a couple of signatures...shows his true commitment...Bill is working his tail off for the people of Senate Dist. 38...tell Mike go rip another community off
July 1, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lou9 (anonymous) says...
If Mr. Collins is "just a small businessman who has never held elective office" why does he want to get elected by using some backdoor tactic? Why didn't he run in the primary against Rose and Scott? He would have still given the voters another choice but he would have done it in an honest fashion.
July 1, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Floger76 (anonymous) says...
lou9 - "Backdoor tactic" I have heard this over and over again. I am so tired of this "its not fair" sniveling from Rose supporters. There is nothing backdoor about it. Why does it matter when he runs? As long as he is on the ballot in a legal way. Tell Mike for us that the coronation may have to wait. He may have another opponent to face.
July 1, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
Rose, who won the June 10 GOP primary against incumbent Sen. Randy Scott, also is circulating petitions asking for Social Security numbers.
If one is to believe the majority of the posts made about Rose, I would say Rose has great insight as to what thief is.
July 1, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
myheartwillgoon (anonymous) says...
Bill Collins is using the only way he can under the law to get on the ballot as an independent. Why should he be forced into one party's primary or another? A petition is the only way a "INDEPENDENT" can get on the ballot. If the Republican party cared about being inclusive to all conservatives than they wouldn't have caused this on themselves.
July 1, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
If you leave off your ss# number or voter reg number will your name still count? Leaving this info on a store counter is not cool.
July 1, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lou9 (anonymous) says...
He could have gotten on the ballot as an "independent" if he had registered when Rose and Scott registered as Republicans. This way looks like the only reason he is doing it is because he has somethning personal against Rose. If Scott had won the primary, would he be doing this? Probably not.
July 1, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinadude (anonymous) says...
A Collins candidacy gives the voters a clear choice in November. Collins is a "known liberal" as was Scott. The people spoke in the primary, and it was not to Collin's liking. Is this a conservative GOP district or not. November will reveal the truth to us. If Collins gets the signatures, we just have to wait until November and speak again. Personally, i believe that Senate district 38 is relatively conservative and firmly in the GOP camp. Rose will get local and statewide GOP support not only due to his conservative platform but also to protect the integrity of the "primary process". We'll just have to see.
July 1, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
myheartwillgoon (anonymous) says...
lou9, no he couldn't have got on the ballot in March. Only those who wish to run through a political party could register for office in March -- all others who wish not to be affiliated with a party must get on the ballot through petition. If he's not a Democrat, Republican or any other party guy -- just an independent thinker -- how else can he get on the ballot?
July 1, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
localdad (anonymous) says...
I am glad Mike Rose brought out the issue of identity theft. I would not have thought about that on any door to door petition. Bill Collins has a right to get petitions signed to run for the office. This article makes it clear that identity theft is a present danger and that if you sign any petition use your voter registration. The only thing Rose is guilty of is trying to protect the citizens.
July 1, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
Why does it matter what Collins motives are for running. It is his right to run as it is anyone else's. It is obvious from the many posts that Rose was only elected because he was the lesser of two evils. By the time all the controversy started with Scott it would have been a little too late for Collins to jump in the race as it was and expect to do well. From what I understand Rose is not new blood. He is just recycled from the past so I would think your getting pretty much the same from ten years ago or how ever log ago he last served. It is unfortunate the Sailor Peg ran his mouth at the jail for I feel that is what cost him the election. It is also unfortunate taped conversations between a man and his wife would be released. Let's hope others are not found in that situation. I can only image what would be on some of those tapes. Anyone saying different would be a liar.
July 1, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
localdad (anonymous) says...
myheartwillgoon,
What concerns me about what you recently posted is that Collins states he wants to be part of the Republican Party. John B Anderson was a great Independent who ran for President, I helped with his campaign many years ago. Mr. Collins is not a true Independent. I am a Republican but I do watch the Independent's on their individual sites.
See what is on some Independent Party web sites:
CREATING CHANGE FROM THE BOTTOM UP:
Independents Swing the Primaries to Obama
by Jim Mangia
July 1, 2008 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
myheartwillgoon, you obviously dont know your candidate very well or you dont read the newspapers.
Collins has already said that if elected he would ask to join the Republican caucus. If he wants to join the Republican caucus, he obviously is not an independent and should have run on the GOP ticket in the primary. He talks about wanting someone different than the normal politician...but he sounds just like Barak Milhouse Obama.
Hopefully voters with a brain will see through these shenanigans of his and tell him to take a hike in Novemeber if he gets on the ballot.
July 1, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amylrod (anonymous) says...
Wisdom, common sense, altruistic behavior, knowing right from wrong, practicing beatitudes....all lacking from most anyone who runs for public office.
July 1, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
myheartwillgoon (anonymous) says...
The Independent party is different than being independent. Also, who you caucus with doesn't define who you are. He may caucus with the Republicans but that doesn't mean he'll vote with them when it goes against the citizens of Senate Dist. 38. Being a member of the caucus is highly overrated as there's not really much that happens in caucus meetings.
July 1, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lou9 (anonymous) says...
If Scott had won Collins would not be doing this. He is not providing a choice, he just doesn' like Rose. Not that there is much to like about Rose or Scott. Collins calles himself an independent, he's an independent Republican who can't win by playing by the rules.
July 1, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
"Independent Pary is different than being independent".
Makes sense right....
Nice try myheartwillgoon, perfect political doublespeak.
July 1, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
myheartwillgoon (anonymous) says...
an independent party is the same type of organization as a republican party or democratic party...an independent does not belong to a party at all...see the difference!
July 1, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bkeelin (anonymous) says...
If there isn't much that happens in the caucus then why does he want to be in the republican caucus? It appears that he is a wolf in sheeps clothing. He already said if Scott had won he would not be running, so clearly it is sour grapes that Scott lost. He appears to be another RINO wanna be and should not be allowed into the republican party if he wins. I doubt that he will win though because by the time the general election comes around most will just punch the repubilican slate, especially in District 38. If he wants to run as an independent then let him stay an independent. I don't believe Kayton Dawson will let him join the republican party, especially based on some of the comments from a news article about a letter he sent to Bryngleson. Let him go to the democrat side and he would be voted out next election. Like I said I think all of this is a mute point becuase I think this will be another election that Mr. Collins will lose.
I personally don't have any grudge against Mr. Collins either, but I have not heard one word about where he stands on social and moral issues facing the people of this state and that gives me great concern.
July 1, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bkeelin (anonymous) says...
Notice that the P&C has already declared him a candidate when he is not even on the ballot yet. You can bet they will continue this chicanery to try and validate Mr. Collins as someone to be taken seriously. I think the media does something similar with Barack Hussein Obama as well.
July 1, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bkc6 (anonymous) says...
If by some chance you can not make it to 125 Orangeburg Rd. to sign the petition, you can simply call my cell phone 843-494-2204 and I or my wife will meet you somewhere. For those of you in the Greenhurst Precinct, you can go to 509 Brailsford Blvd. in the Greenhurst Subdivison. Thank you in advance for all your support in getting Mr. Collins name on the November ballot. Remember, we only have until July 15th.
July 1, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bfrank2 (anonymous) says...
I was proud to call myself a Republican. No longer. I am not affiliated with either party because they have both become extremists in opposite directions. How can people representing the Republican Party sleep at night after the comments they have made? Mr. Collins doesn't have the right to do this and the stores that carry his petition should be boycotted? If we take the ability of people to run for office without party affiliation we will have given ourselves over to fanatics. Threatening a boycott of legitimate businesses for doing something that is neither illegal nor immoral is beyond comprehension. I believe that Mr. Rose has now shown his true colors. It would appear that he is more worried about competition than identity theft. Maybe he should be worried. He didn't win the primary by very much and didn't even carry the precinct that he lives in. Do his neighbors know something that we don't.
July 1, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realman (anonymous) says...
Blah blah blah. Yada yada yada. Same ol' garbage every election year. I'm gonna vote Libertarian or not at all. I'm sick of Republican and Democrat politicians. Every single one is a liar.
July 1, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mkhaynes (anonymous) says...
Who cares why Collins is running? He's not a politician - he didn't have a chance to make a change and blow it (Rose). He didn't get caught up in enough of a political snafu to not get the candidacy (Scott). I've got an idea - why don't the voters look at the issues and where the candidates stand on them and THEN make a decision about who to vote for instead of talking about which party the person is going to affiliate with once they get elected? Because that really doesn't matter - the elected person still gets their own vote and their own voice, they don't have to vote along party lines. Sounds like we need more elected officials like this, people who are willing to vote the way they think they should instead of the way their party tells them to.
July 1, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bushnell (anonymous) says...
Mike Rose has always made himself available to help people in the community. The reasons the GOB wants him out is because he has stood up for the meek and mild against the big good ole boys. They don't like it because when the State and Fedreal agencies get involved the GOB's are found out. Mike Rose cares enough about the community that he stands up for what is right and just. He is not against Bill Collins getting petitions signed. He is concerned about identity theft. Of course the Republican party does not support a petition candidate. In my opinion, it is a given that Republicans support their primary winner for the General Election. Who you vote for is your own private matter. I would expect the Democrat party to support their primary winners. I am glad Mike Rose has decided to stand up for our community. If anyone wonders what he has done, check out his website. Do other candidates have places we can check out to see what they are all about? How many candidates open their own homes and welcome you in to speak with you and listen to your issues and then take the information and actually research the facts? I know Mike Rose has done that. Just ask the residents in the new subdivisions off of Lincolnville Road. I have seen Mike fight for those who are afraid to stand up against the GOB. Don't just listen to me; check out his web site and contact him yourself.
July 1, 2008 at 11:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LWHITNER (anonymous) says...
For clarification, if you sign the petition and do not list either your social or voter's registration number, you will be counted. The name and address on the petition is verified against the state voters' registration list to insure the person is a registered voter.
July 2, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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