Graham's Senate challenger a candidate without a party
CAYCE — On a recent Thursday evening, the South Carolina Democrat sharing the top of state ballots with Sen. Barack Obama strode through a restaurant parking lot where the bumper stickers featured the presidential candidacies of Ron Paul, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin.
The Post and Courier
Bob Conley
Inside the family eatery just outside Columbia, a mix of independents, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and Constitution Party members waited. A smattering of members of Southern heritage groups were in attendance. Copies of "Free the South: A Blueprint for Peaceful and Legal Secession," rested on a couple of tables.
In a year when South Carolina voter registration shot up because of Obama's candidacy, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bob Conley is a decidedly odd fit.
It's a role the 43-year-old engineer and flight instructor seems to relish.
"The job of a U.S. senator is to represent his state and the interests of his state and that means the people of the state," said Conley, sporting his trademark flattop haircut and a striped tie.
"And that means we go around and we talk to folks of all different strata and philosophy because my job in January is to represent these folks in Washington."
For all his talk of diverse backers, Conley is a man without a base.
He once ran as a Republican for an Indiana state House seat, then bolted for the Reform Party. After moving to North Myrtle Beach, he joined his local GOP committee and backed Ron Paul in this year's South Carolina presidential primary.
Five months later, he won a lackluster contest to become the Democratic pick to face powerhouse Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham in November.
"He is naive and inexperienced," state Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler said last week.
"I'm not sure where his votes are coming from."
Conley is not publicly endorsing Obama. That's his personal business, he said, adding that his dream ticket would be led by Pat Buchanan, with Paul as vice president.
When he's asked where he thinks he'll draw support considering his party's leaders don't appear to like him, Conley shoots back, "Democrats, Republican, Libertarians and vegetarians."
"I think the American people and the people of South Carolina are recognizing there's a certain strata in the political class that doesn't represent them," Conley said.
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Comments
LadyM (anonymous) says...
I'm voting for him because I can't in good conscience vote for Graham. I will never vote for anyone that calls me a racist and bigot because I want our immigration laws enforced. Pander to the hispanics if you want to Grahamnesty, but don't call the citizens of this state names and then expect their support!
September 15, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I'll vote for him just to cast a vote against Graham.
Does this Fowler woman have anything nice to say about anyone?
September 15, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
westashleyboi (anonymous) says...
I'll take a naive and inexperienced Conley over Grahmnesty every time. If our democrat party truly had the best interests of South Carolina in mind, they would give him some support.
September 15, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyingopinion (anonymous) says...
He will be the first Democrat that I have ever voted for! He has publicly endorsed the FAIRTAX and that is the single reason he will get my vote. The fact that he is running against Graham is icing on the cake!
September 15, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Riptide (anonymous) says...
For one thing he's not a damn lawyer and this country has 2/3s of the world lawyers. It wouldn't be a bad idea to start exporting this profession on a one way plane ticket out of this country and maybe we can get back on track again.
September 15, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinadude (anonymous) says...
Apparently Republicans in large numbers across SC will cast a protest vote against Shamnesty advocate Lindsey Graham. We'll see if he gets the message or if he even cares. Graham apparently considers himself invincible following the Clinton impeachment hearings and due to his close ties with McCain. Maybe SC will get lucky and McCain will appoint him to something. lol
September 15, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nikkiP (anonymous) says...
Reasons to vote for Conley:
1) He's not Graham.
2) Engineer! We have to look at things logically
3) He's not Graham.
4) Seems to want to run on his own values, not just a party's.
5) He's not Graham.
And stop saying he panders to hispanics bc of the amnesty bill. I'm hispanic. I hate illegal immigration. I will be voting against Graham this election. I swear, one more assumption that hispanics are the only illegals, and that we're all illegal and I'm going to start saying white people molest their children.
In response to Ms. Fowler, how is Graham getting any votes?
September 15, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jncturner (anonymous) says...
spankerbuns - The gop, the party of rich war lovers, are embraced by the poor ignorant voters of South Carolina because they do not vote in their own self interest.
They vote for who their clueless preachers tell them to vote for or they vote on a misplaced sense that the republican party is somehow more fiscally and morally responsible than the other parties.
I am one of those "clueless preachers" you rant about. My wife and I were active in the GOP befire we came to WA state nearly 12 years ago. That was before I became a pastor, and the ethics laws affected my activity. Legally, I cannot tell anyone who to vote for or how to vote on an issue. I realize that far too many "pastors" and spiritual leaders do not know or care about ethics, but that is part of what we are supposed to be.
BTW, speaking of ethics, I am reminded of a Sunday service several years ago when Sen. Thurmond was in our home church. Our pastor gave him an opportunity to speak, and he said, "I am not here to run, I am here to worship." Would God that more of the politicians would stop making the pulpits of righteousness into soapboxes of political expedience.
Pastor James Turner
Bay Community Baptist Church
Birch Bay WA
September 15, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
""He is naive and inexperienced," state Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler said last week. I'm not sure where his votes are coming from."
Ms. Fowler, therein lies the problem with the Democratice Party.
His votes are from the disenfranchised RNC & DNC party members. His votes are from those whose allegiance is to the country and not to one political party. His votes are from those of us who belong to so-called 'third' parties. His votes are from people like me who have advocated for REAL CHANGE in government.
Good Luck Mr. Conley, you're going to need it in this state of entrenched 'politics as usual'.
September 15, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyecantspel (anonymous) says...
First, Graham is not gay. The Reps would never let him have a seat in Congress, or esp the senate with that kinda time bomb sitting around. The party can't have him caught "dating" and cost the party a seat in the Senate. Yes, Larry Craig... blah blah blah, but these rumors are new to Craig. Graham has had his collar since his first election. There was time to spend 300 dollars and put a PI on him. Don't you think the dems have done so since he has been in office? Also, its the dems who spread that rumor.
That being said, I dislike Graham for his middle of the road views on Mexicans, judges, etc. He always knows where the camera is and what exactly has he done for SC? Its nice for him he is on TV all the time and is liked by dem and reps in the Senate. woo hoo....
I dont vote down party lines, but so far I have an odd ballot.
McCain
Bob Conley
Whoever is running vs Henry Brown, the worst congressman in the state. He is one of the reasons good people cant be elected to office, and the one of the reasons why politicans are viewed with distain. He is a leech on the back on America. The only time he gets on TV he is burning down national forests or getting a bill through Congress to lay the insurance cost of the extreme wealthy on taxpayers. Then he claims not to know who Leonard Long is, the guy this bill would have helped. What a tool.
The local offices I will prob vote Rep party.
September 15, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironhorse (anonymous) says...
eyecantspel,
If Graham isn't gay, why does he have a Village People poster on his office wall?
September 15, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wonderdog (anonymous) says...
Conley looks like the best choice so far. Count me in.
September 15, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jncturner (anonymous) says...
spankerbuns -
I debated a moment as to whether to respond or not, seeing this is yesterday's news. I don't sit at the computer waiting for responses. But on the off chance that you will see this, here goes -
It is true that Sen. Thurmond had a daughter that you and I did not know about. I am not sure that he ignored her or did not care for her. I heard stories at his passing of how he paid for her education, and had established trust funds for her. Truth? I don't know. I wasn't holding him up as a perfect man - there has only been 2 of those - Adam sinned,and Thurmond wasn't the other One.
As far as other pastors "extolling" the virtues of party and politics - I am not one of those. I am only accountable for me. However - and I realize that this is a touchy subject - I am SURE that the DEMs allow far more "politicking" from the pulpits of their churches than the conservatives that usually vote for GOP candiates.
As for myself, I seldom "get political" from my pulpit. There are far more eternal issues at stake. I DO speak on the morality of life issues often, but that is far more than politics. Heaven or hell is far more important than Mc Cain or Obama.
Pastor James Turner
Bay Community Baptist Church
Birch Bay, WA
BTW, I was taught, years ago, tha "If it is worth writing, it is worth signing." it
September 16, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
knarfxii (anonymous) says...
Heres video of U.S. Senate nominee Bob Conley from yesterday!
Bob Conley "We need A Secure Southern border!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oENSMT...
Bob Conley -- Nothing Free about "Free Trade Agreements"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmPlm7...
Bob Conley believes that We need Fair Trade, not Free Trade!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaIIIn...
Bob Conley on Term Limits
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCF9k5...
Bob Conley -- Lindsey Graham is not Representing us!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DEBB...
Bob Conley - Keep Energy Dollars in the U.S.A.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMNbVM...
Bob Conley Repeal the Federal Reserve Act of 1913!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohh0_A...
Bob Conley 2,500,000 to L. Graham by ones wanting bailed out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZjIk6...
Bob Conley "I am a problem solver!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq14Hl...
Bob Conley NO Amnesty for Wallstreet or Illegal Invaders!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzDnJF...
give to Bob at http://www.BobConleyforSenate.com
Brian Frank
September 27, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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