Woody Knows Best

I recently went to the movies after not having been for many months. I typically tend to stay away from places that have the nerve to charge $100 for a small popcorn (ok so maybe not $100, but close...) but I decided to brave the screaming kids, crying babies, and unruly teenagers and see a movie. So many choices, so little time.... What movie did I finally decide on? Toy Story 3... Now I have not seen Toy Story 1 or 2 so I was hoping I would be able to keep up. Luckily, the storyline was easy to follow, the babies kept their crying to a minimum and I splurged and ordered some nachos (I had to fill out 54 pages of paperwork in order to take out a loan to get them though...). I walked out of the theatre that night with a lot on my mind. The movie, as cute and funny as it was, made ya' think. Watching Woody and Buzz and the rest of the gang (except for that creepy monkey) got me thinking about loyalty. If a few talking toys on the big screen can teach us that being loyal to yourself, to your family, and to your friends is important, how can we apply that lesson to our everyday lives? And even more importantly, how can we incorporate loyalty into the political world? Can we really have loyal politicians or are we doomed to live in a world where, if we want to see true loyalty, we must pull out our Woody and Buzz action figures?

That question was answered last night when I attended a Public Hearing in Johnsonville, SC. The hearing was to focus on the Francis Marion Statue project (A project that has now taken on a life of it's own). Now, my friends, I will not get into all the financial details of the project (you can read those elsewhere), instead I want to focus on the loyalty of the elected officials in Johnsonville. Did they stay loyal last night to the people who put them in the positions they are in and to the people who they represent or were they so focused on their own personal agendas, they forgot they work FOR the people and not AGAINST the people. I will let you be the judge. Here you have the majority of the citizens of Johnsonville simply making one request of their public officials. Please don't start any project of any kind, statue or no statue, until you have 100% of the money in the bank. The citizens just want to make sure they aren't stuck with the bill when the council's empty promises of money magically appearing out of thin air turn out to be just that... Empty Promises... Last night the Johnsonville City Council sounded more like a mafia family in Old New York instead of a group of honest, loyal, and faithful servants of the people (The Godfather being the current mayor). I repeatedly heard the words, "Anonymous" and "I can't say" and "Remain Nameless". When you work for someone, just as elected officials work for the people, you must be transparent and forthcoming with all information pertaining to any and all decisions that affect the people you work for. Backroom deals and nameless figures have no place in politics. That being said, the South Carolina political world is mostly made up of backroom deals and nameless, shady figures. If some of our own statewide Republican candidates and elected officials can't remain loyal to the people and can't be transparent and forthcoming, how can we expect local council members to? What would Woody and Buzz say if they could see us now?

Last night the Johnsonville City Council turned it's back on the people. All except for one man. One lone wolf who decided to stray from the pack and go it on his own. They call this wolf, this man, this enigma.... The Maverick... Councilman Brad Richardson was the only member of council who voted against moving forward with this project. And, in my opinion, he did that for one reason and one reason alone. He, above all others on Council, knows the true meaning of loyalty. He knows the people of Johnsonville are all looking to him to be their voice and he will not let them down nor will he fail them. The people of Johnsonville simply asked council to wait until they had the Francis Marion Statue project 100% fully funded and cash in hand, before moving forward. And that is exactly the way Brad Richardson voted last night. He voted for the people and with the people. He gave them a voice and even though he and the people of Johnsonville lost the battle last night, the war is not over. Watching Councilman Richardson sit at the big folding table with his fellow council members, him dressed in a shirt and tie, and them dressed as if they were going to the beach or just got in from working all day in the yard, I realized something. This is the first time I have seen, first hand and up close, a real live LOYAL politician. Now, yes, I have had my favorites this election year, but I realize now, I have yet to see ANY politicians in action who were truly loyal to the people they represent. That is, until last night. I saw that in the Maverick. I can only pray that, as our Republican brothers and sisters are out there campaigning this year, they remember people like The Maverick and Woody and Buzz and realize that loyalty, above all else, is all that we, the people, want from them. I don't care if you had an affair 20 years ago or if you wear brown shoes with a black belt. Just be honest, upfront, and always remain loyal.

Sex and Money

As Janet slowly unbuttoned her silk blouse, her ample bosom heaving with intense passion, Mark's throbbing..... Ok, I know you must be thinking, what in the heck am I reading?? And why is Mark throbbing?? Isn't there a pill for that?? Well, my friends, in the world of South Carolina politics, it seems as though some politicians are more and more resembling cheesy characters out of a 99 cent romance novel, rather than serious political figures. Which brings me to ask myself, "When do we know we have gone too far and can we get back to where we need to be?" Let's explore this...

Do you ever get that feeling late at night, when you are in bed alone, that someone is watching you through the window? You get up, slowly walking towards the door to make your escape and as you turn around to take one last glance back, you swear you see a dark figure dashing across the room.... That's how I, and many others, feel these days as we circumnavigate the South Carolina political arena. Who can I trust? Are people who they say they are? Why is this person being so nice to me when I don't even know them? These are questions we must ask ourselves daily if we intend to survive and live to see another day. It's survival of the fittest out there, my friends. And we must arm ourselves with the proper weaponry and educate ourselves in the ways of the world. Career politicians as well as career political staffers confuse me. And amuse me. And sometimes, make me nauseous... So who are these cast of characters????

As I attend different political events, I survey the crowd and what do I see? Not men, or women, or children... I see characters. People, in general, are their own characters. They have a back story, motives of their own, and above all, each and every person has something that makes them unique. There are some characters which repeat themselves. For example, at every political event, you will see the eager young lad who will work 'till his knuckles bleed and his shirt is dripping with sweat in the hopes that someone will notice and give him his big break (He secretly wants to be you and the first chance he gets, there goes the knife in your back...). The young attractive blond who spent two hours on her makeup and is wearing a dress just low enough to give those southern gentlemen a preview of the coming attractions (The ticket price varies). The perfectly coiffed politician who is eyeing the young interns, licking his chops like a lion stalking it's prey (Put that thing away, no one is impressed). And we must not forget about the one, over there, standing in the corner. The person who is plotting their next move, next scandal, next story of an affair. This person, this shadowy figure, is deciding who will make it through to November and who will not... Their name? Who knows? And, do we really want to know? Probably best not to know... Which brings me now to sex.. and money...

I recently heard someone say that there are those who enter the political world for two reasons, Sex and Money. While I will be the first to admit that power does, somehow, make a person sexually appealing, even if their physical appearance is mediocre. But as much as we want to run up to certain people and dry hump them (to my surprise, some people don't like you doing this), we must remember why we are here and why we are doing what we are doing. It's simple. We love our state. We love our party. And we want to see South Carolina become a shining beacon of hope and inspiration for the rest of the country. Therefore, we must check our hormones at the door. Hard to do I know (no pun intended), but we must muster the strength and push forward. Now, as far as money, I'll say this... Money. Good. No Money. Bad. But, why on Earth must there always be those opportunists who sneak into every organization trying to rifle through the pockets of the wealthy? Unless your name is Robin Hood, please take your hand out of Andre's pocket and for the love of Paula Abdul, give Gresham his gold watch back. My point, my friends, is this. While sex and money can make you happy (money more so for me), let's keep our eyes on the prize. The prize being huge wins for us, The Republican Party, in November. We need to take our state back, and if we focus on the real issues at hand, we WILL win in November.



In the words of the incomparable John Barrymore, "Sex: the thing that takes up the least amount of time and causes the most amount of trouble." And in the words of Mohandas Gandhi, "There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed."

So, my friends, keep this mind... as you travel through the rough seas of the South Carolina political world and encounter those mysterious figures... Friend Today, Foe Tomorrow...

You've been warned....

The Day The Music Died...

The day we have all been waiting for has now, come and gone. Like a summer storm in the land of cotton and cornbread, it was over before we even had time to run outside and dance in the rain. In it's path, a trail of joy and frustration is all that is left behind. Where do we go from here? Onward to victory for the Republican party is the answer. But, how can we leave behind those candidates we have worked so tirelessly for and care about and who did not quite make the cut?

Committing to be a campaign volunteer is so much more than just making phone calls or waving signs. It's about committing to a candidate. A person. This person becomes a main focus for you and where you will direct your time, energy, sweat, and maybe even a tear, as you traverse the campaign trail with them. In order for a candidate to garner this type of support, they must get people excited. Excited about them as a person and about the campaign and all that is involved. While there are many candidates who can do just that, there is one candidate, one man, who can rally the troops like no other....

In walks a man with the southern drawl reminiscent of days gone by, the demeanor of an old friend you haven't seen in years, and a smile that reaches to the farthest corners of a room. His name? Bauer... Andre Bauer... A man who can bring a crowd to their feet and make people stop in their tracks and listen. Andre Bauer has a lot to say and he says it. No matter what. When I was younger, my outspoken nature and opinionated ways often got me in trouble. I've never been one to lay low and keep quiet when something is on my mind. I have always had passion and fire within me and I thought, because of those traits, I could never be accepted in the political world. I don't say the right things, I don't dance around any issue, and I certainly don't care about what people think of me. When I first heard Andre Bauer speak, I realized, there was hope for me. Here is a man who speaks his mind, says what needs to be said regardless of whether the "establishment" may approve or not, and always stays true to himself. Could it be someone like this actually exists in the political realm? The answer is clear. Yes.. And that person is Andre. Could it be I have a new idol now? Someone to look up to and aspire to be like one day? As I take down my poster of Batman and put away the action figures and put up my picture of myself with Andre, the answer is clear...

This is my first year being involved in politics and Andre's campaign is the first I have helped with. It's certainly an experience I will never forget. I am somewhat saddened by the fact that it is now over and I never got the chance to ride around the state on the big ol' Andre bus or get to sit down and talk one on one with the man himself. But I am thankful for the friends I have made along the way and for knowing that I stood up for someone I believe in and took part in the political process instead of just sitting by the wayside.

So now the question is posed, "What do candidates do when they don't win?" Some are struck with feelings of vengeance and regret and, a select few, spread their wings and soar like eagles. Andre Bauer will do the latter. And I for one am excited to watch and wait for what he does next. Whatever it is, it will be great, because he is and always will be.. a great man in my eyes and in the eyes of South Carolina herself.

I would like to dedicate this blog entry to all my fellow Andre supporters across the state. We rallied behind our candidate and, while we may not have won this day, we accomplished something far greater than winning an election. We didn't just talk about change, we did something about it. And I for one, am proud of all of us.

Snapshot, Take My Picture

Last night I had the privilege of attending the Republican Gubernatorial Debate at FMU here in Florence, SC. I am sure there are many bloggers who will write about the details of the debate and comment on who they feel won. Instead I shall do what I do best... tell a funny story.... (Who said politics had to be boring?)

As I stand here, in a dressing room in JCPenney (only the best for me), staring at my reflection in the mirror, I begin to feel the excitement. I will be attending my first political debate tomorrow night. And not just any debate. A gubernatorial debate nonetheless! And I am a man on a mission! If you have seen my Facebook profile, you may have noticed that regardless of how many Republican events I have been to over the last few months, I have VERY few pictures of myself with any candidates. Why you ask? While I may be cute (some would say hot), I am NOT very photogenic. When I get in front of a camera I turn in to Screech from Saved by the Bell. And that's NOT a good thing. Zach Morris maybe.. But not Screech! Come hell or high water, I plan on getting my picture taken with my candidate of choice at the debate, Andre Bauer!! 24 hours and counting..... Will I make it happen? Will I get nervous and run the other way? Will Bret Michaels replace Simon on American Idol?

The day of the debate has arrived and as I am getting ready, I begin to practice my posing in the mirror (Don't laugh. You know you do it too!). Scratching my head.. Trying to remember something... What does Tyra always say on America's Next Top Model? Oh yeah! Model H2T (head to toe) and SMIZE (smile with the eyes). After doing that for awhile in the mirror, I realized something.... I'm a dork. A big fat dork. If there were such a place as Dorkville, I would be elected mayor! So I quit practicing and decided, what the heck, I'll wing it when the time comes (I figured I can always rely on my natural ability to be irresistibly adorable at the drop of a hat). I do one final mirror check, spray enough cologne on myself to start a small brush fire, and off I go to begin my adventure.

I arrive early so I can get up with Matt Robinson (aka: Andre's right hand man) and get my ticket for the debate. Let me tell you a little bit about Mr. Matt. He should teach a class on how to deal with campaign volunteers. In the past several months I have met many paid political staffers and some have been nice, some not so nice, and some just down right nasty. Matt falls in to a category all his own. He has the energy of a 5 y/o, the personality of a rock star, and the cool swagger of a player . His easygoing nature and laid back style draw people in and his honest approach and his appreciation of those who volunteer are what make him a rare commodity in the political world.... A nice guy.

Ok, where was I? Oh yeah, I'm here and ready for the debate! Here's a quick rundown... There were some good answers and some great answers and some obvious answers, but all in all, the candidates performed as I had expected. Gresham Barrett was witty and like able, Henry McMaster was, as always, the quintessential southern gentleman, Nikki Haley tried hard to avoid answering any tough questions about the scandal surrounding her (she even left right after while the other candidates stayed to greet voters) and Andre Bauer was, of course, da man! Direct, concise, straight-forward and honest. An honest politician, you ask? (waits for the gasps from the crowd) Yes, my friends, they do exist albeit they are a rare breed. You may go a lifetime without spotting one, but if you attended the debate last night or watched it on television, you saw one... in Andre Bauer.

Once the debate was over, my good friend Renee Woodberry ( a tall buxom blonde with an appetite for life) grabbed me by the arm and down the stairs we flew towards the candidates like two twisters headed for a small town in Oklahoma (Watch out!). I saw Gresham Barrett (who is WAY taller than he looks on TV), Henry McMaster (who always reminds me of Rhett Butler), and Andre (who looks a lot younger in person). Now I will say this about Renee. She is VERY photogenic and has mastered the art of taking pictures with candidates. She can flash those pearly whites and flip that hair with the best of 'em. So if anyone could get my picture with Andre, it would be the great Renee (bows down to her awesomeness). As I stood in the line with everyone else, waiting... and waiting... and waiting... My nerves a wreck, beads of sweat creeping up on my brow (we're talkin' Whitney Houston flop sweat), and the building excitement within me at the thought of being able to shake the hand of the man who is going to be the next governor of South Carolina. It was my turn. What do I do? Smile? Look serious? Say something witty? I was going to tell Andre a joke I had just heard, "Why was Tigger looking in the toilet?.... He was looking for Pooh.." (Ok, you.. in the back row.. I see you laughing!!!) BUT I figured that may not be the most appropriate thing to do. Before I knew it, Renee said smile and somehow I was standing next to Mr. Bauer. I didn't have time to smile so I did my serious face (doing it now, wish you could see). And poof. Just as it had begun, it was over, literally, in a flash. After the blindness from the flash dissipated and I could once again see, I turned to walk away when I realized I still had my arm around Andre. I regained my composure and returned my arms to my side and off I went back into the jungle (I mean crowd). Andre then smiled and walked away from the crazy guy in khaki.


All in all, I had a great time at my first debate and it's certainly something I will always remember. Just makes you realize how larger than life these candidates are. I can only hope that one day people will look at me the way people looked at these candidates last night. With respect, admiration, and above all.... hope.

PS: Special shout out and thanks to a few members of Team Andre who are exceptionally nice. (I don't typically remember last names so I had to improvise)

Robert (More energy than the Energizer Bunny)

Mark (Super Tall guy in Andre Polo)

John (Guy who dances on top of RVs)


VOTE FOR ANDRE on June 8th!