Clyburn likes his chances
Challenger Harrelson opts out of TV forum, travels back roads to meet voters
Sixth District U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn figures his chances of remaining in the No. 3 leadership position in the U.S. House look as good as his odds of getting re-elected Nov. 4.
Clyburn (left), Harrelson (right)
But for Clyburn to win re-election, he first must defeat Republican challenger Nancy Harrelson, a political newcomer from Marion who has little name recognition, virtually no campaign money (compared with about $1.3 million in Clyburn's war chest) and who puzzled political observers by turning down a chance to appear at a forum with Clyburn on statewide television Monday.
What Harrelson does have is a desire to travel the back roads of the 15 counties that make up the congressional district, including parts of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester, and to chat with as many voters as she can find. Also, she has opinions.
"I'm very disappointed in a lot of our politicians, Republicans and Democrats. I feel we have a lot of wusses up there scared to make a decision," she said. "I'm just sick to death of these politicians who think the only way to solve a problem is to throw money at it, and it's not their money."
Clyburn's strength as a candidate was demonstrated in 2006, when he thumped Republican Gary McLeod of Manning, winning almost 66 percent of the vote. University of South Carolina political science professor Blease Graham said one trusty rule of thumb is that whenever an incumbent gets at least 55 percent of the vote, "then it's the incumbent's seat to lose, and I don't see any meaningful probability that Representative Clyburn won't be re-elected."
Harrelson now to participate in debate with Clyburn tonight
COLUMBIA — Republican challenger Nancy Harrelson will now be joining Congressman James Clyburn for the Sixth Congressional District debate that airs today at 7 p.m.
The debate will be broadcast on all ETV and ETV Radio stations and will be streamed on the Web at myetv.org.
Ms. Harrelson had previously said she would not be available for the hour-long debate this evening.
When he began his eighth term in January 2007, the Democrats regained control and elected Clyburn as House Majority Whip, the third-highest ranking leadership post and the position responsible for figuring out which members will vote which way when important issues hit the floor. Clyburn said the last two years have changed his life.
"I've had to broaden my approach beyond the parochial interests I've always concerned myself with," he said. "My constituents seem to be aware of the importance of the position. I think that's the biggest surprise — and a very pleasant surprise."
Clyburn said his leadership position had paid off by his ability to make sure the Democrats' agenda remains inclusive and by making sure people come to meetings to advance that agenda. He has led Congress' Faith Working Group, and the group working to help communities hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
He also has helped promote making nuclear energy part of the nation's energy plan — an idea he supports enthusiastically but one that many of his Democratic colleagues are leery of.
When Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer talk to the TV cameras, Clyburn often can be seen standing nearby and making his comment once they are done.
Clyburn has had the luxury of spending recent weeks on the campaign trail — for other Democratic candidates, including presidential hopeful Barack Obama. He has stumped for House candidates in North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, Louisiana and Mississippi. He expects the Democrats will enlarge their majorities in both the House and Senate, a view widely held by other political observers. Clyburn said he will concentrate on his own re-election in the home stretch.
And he remains well-positioned to direct earmarks toward the state.
Clyburn noted the plans by Jafza International to build a massive warehouse and transportation hub, which could generate up to 10,000 jobs for Orangeburg County, took shape only after he helped establish the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency. That agency, which Clyburn helped create with an earmark, will serve the project that Clyburn called "one of the biggest game changers in the state of South Carolina."
Harrelson's platform — like other Republicans' — calls for ending earmarks, ending illegal immigration through better identification procedures and balancing the budget while cutting taxes.
State Republican Chairman Katon Dawson isn't ruling out Harrelson's chances, but he noted Clyburn's powerful position has given him an impressive financial edge. "I think she has as good a shot as anybody else," Dawson said.
Told that other political observers have all but counted her out, Harrelson said, "I'll talk to them on Nov. 5, and I'll tell them my secret."
JIM CLYBURN
U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn
PARTY: Democratic
BIRTHDAY: July 21, 1940
FAMILY: Married, three children.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Mather Academy; graduated from S.C. State University; attended the University of South Carolina School of Law.
OCCUPATION: 6th Congressional District Representative.
PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: U.S. House (1993-present, serving as House Majority Whip from 2007-present).
SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: I'm a pretty prolific Bible reader.
ONE SPECIFIC GOAL: My obsession is the I-95 corridor. That is one of the major arteries in our country, and to have the stretch in South Carolina the poorest, least educated, most unhealthy communities in our state, that's an abomination.
CONTACT INFORMATION: (phone, email address, Web site) 803-795-5165 or 1-888-JIM-0006; info@clyburnforcongress.com; clyburn.house.gov; clyburnforcongress.com/
NANCY HARRELSON
Harrelson
PARTY: Republican
BIRTHDAY: Jan. 18, 1954
FAMILY: Married, two children.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Marion High School, attended two years at Oklahoma Baptist Institute.
OCCUPATION: Construction management.
PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: None.
SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: All I've done is work since I was 6 years old.
ONE SPECIFIC GOAL: Pass the Fair Tax Act and get the government out of people's lives.
CONTACT INFORMATION: (phone, e-mail, Web site) : (843) 229-0800; nancy@nancyharrelson.com; nancy4congress.com.
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 19 comment(s)
Posted by moonpie on October 27, 2008 at 6:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He loves that 50/50% analogy doesn't he? He said Obama had a 50/50 chance of winning!
Posted by IValueU on October 27, 2008 at 6:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't figure out what is being said. A House cleaning is definitely needed here.
"One specific goal: My obsession is the I-95 corridor. That is one of the major arteries in our country, and to have the stretch in South Carolina the poorest, least educated, most unhealthy communities in our state, that's an abomination".
Posted by zekemire on October 27, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Best thing the voters of S.C. could do is rid us of Clyburn and Sprat! They adhere only to the national party agenda of spend, spend, tax and spend, penalize the successfull and reward those who will not work and only have their hand out! Why should they work? They can get as much from welfare and unemployment! They both are aprarsites on the citizens of S.C. and the US as a whole! Liberal, socialist democrats will destroy the fabric that has made the USA the greatest nation in the history of the world with their socialist agenda!
Posted by flyingopinion on October 27, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vote all the bums out! Nancy Harrelson will get my vote. 'Change' is good all the way around! District 6 deserves real representation. Voters need to take a stand and turn Washington upside down.
Posted by Tides on October 27, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Clyburn is another bigot in Washington. How does he keep getting elected?
Posted by Tides on October 27, 2008 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah. Let all gang up on Clyburn and pop that over inflated ego of his. He's a black racist.
Posted by kontact on October 27, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He keeps getting elected because citizens that promote all this racist ideological ideas ignite his constituents to keep electing him so he may take that stand against nonsense. Im not in any way prmoting HIM but I do see why we have people like him in positions of power.
Posted by charlestonpride on October 27, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is time to get rid of the politicians that are NOT representing "We the People". One example: About 87% of Americans believe that illegal immigrants should be deported. Then why are the politicians that are suppose to represent the voice of the majority not listening to our voices and doing their job? I am sick of my represenatives ignoring the majority and doing whatever they feel like doing. We the people need to have a Boston Tea Party on our own government.
Posted by eyeinthesky on October 27, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
look at how the districts are drawn... then you will have your answer!
Posted by Rebel_Yell on October 27, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The republicans might want to put up a candidate who is willing to debate the issues. And she calls others 'wusses'. I'll pass on her high school diploma and two years of bible school -- sounds scarier than Clyburn.
Posted by blah_blah_blah on October 27, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kontact
how right you are!
68% disapprove of the Iraq War.
58% disappove of the Bush's environmental policies.
52% disapprove of the energy policy.
51% for Obama, 43% for McCain.
"We The People!"
Obama/Biden '08
Posted by blah_blah_blah on October 27, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sorry that last one is in response to charlestonpride, not kontact.
Posted by KidYendor on October 27, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We need to vote out Clyburn and vote in Harrelson to keep Obama, Bob Barr, or McCain in check. It is obvious to all that Clyburn is too liberal for SC and is simply a southern Ted Kennedy. Lets set a great example and show that yes, we can throw the bumbs out with the defeat of Clyburn and Grahamnesty. If we can accomplish this when other states don't we will be able to hold our heads high when communistic mandates are issued from Washington by incumbents that were re-elected to goose step with Obama, Barr or McCain.
Posted by ColdBud on October 27, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just curious, how many of the people commenting are even in Clyburn's district. I don't like the man, and if I were in his district, I would never vote for him, but since I'm not in his district, my opinion really doesn't matter. Could I try and influence the people that do live in his district? Sure I could, but why would I want to? I'd rather let them make up their own minds based on their own needs and view points. I don't want someone from Florence telling me how I should vote to fix problems we have in my area.
Posted by flyingopinion on October 27, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A lot of the Charleston area is District 6. All of Daniel Island, up Clements Ferry Road. North Charleston from I526, down to Highway 17 on the Peninsula. I will take the average taxpaying, common sense, down home citizen representing me, then someone who has made a career out of politics. His representation has been the exact opposite of my values and beliefs. If Clyburn and Graham win, I'm going to stop paying taxes! No taxation without representation! Neither represent me.
Posted by KidYendor on October 27, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ColdBud I believe when there is lots of dirt and grunge around we use our vacuum cleaners do get it all up. We can't nitpick which pieces to suck up. We get it all up. There is lots of dirt and grunge in Washington, DC and we must encourage the cleaning out of Congress of the tax and spenders and earmarkers throughout our country if we are to survive. It does not matter if the dirt in Congress is from different districts here or 3,000 miles away, it affects us all. We must work to defeat, donate money against, and pray for the defeat of incumbents, the Barney Franks, the Ted Kennedys, and the Clyburns.
Posted by bossmand on October 27, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope that Clyburn's position is secure. It would be a tragedy if he were defeated in this race. He's an outstanding representative.
Posted by kontact on October 27, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
early-His district is all daniel island!! highway 17 to downtown too. Now I know that a lot of blacks still make up these areas BUT its majority white. Regardless, minorities historically (except this election) DONT VOTE!! Thanks for trying to make this about race BUT NO THANKS!!
Posted by flyingopinion on October 27, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Early is correct. Clyburn's own website refers to District 6 as the "Black Majority District". That seems like a step backwards for the civil rights movement. He also references it as the "Corridor of Shame". That needs to change! Regardless of color, we need representation for everyone! We need to look at the content of character, not the color of skin! That goes for politics as well! BTW, I'm not voting for Obama or McCain. Obama put it best "change has to come from outside of Washington"!