Wicked Witch of the Pee Dee

Irony is the ultimate cunning fox in the jungle that is South Carolina politics. I've been a victim to this cunning creature's attack recently. It's ironic how myself and a certain elected official whom I have had my doubts about in the past have something in common. Because of a certain group of people who have hunted me down over the past year as if I were the Wicked Witch of the Pee Dee, I have all but given up on politics in general. But I was certain that this type of witch hunt, this type of "Ganging Up" on one person, was just focused solely on me. Now I see that a different Witch Hunt is taking place and this time the poor, unsuspecting target is none other than someone I haven't had the opportunity to get to know. Our local hometown boy. Our Lt. Gov... Ken Ard. Pure irony the strange bedfellows politics can create.

Never should we pretend to have the power to pierce the eyes of a man to see through to his soul or what's in his heart. Therefore the only thing we know for sure is this. Ken Ard is guilty. His crime? His devious act which has caused so many to gather their pitch forks and lanterns to seek out vengeance is simple. He is guilty of being human. I've been reminded recently that we are nothing if we do not tread down that path which is riddled with mistakes, missteps, and slip ups. We are but flesh and bone and we should lift up those who make mistakes instead of trying to tear them down. Any strong man is a fortress and right now the walls of Ken Ard are starting to crumble. My fellow Republicans, let us gather together to help Ken repair what's been damaged and stave off those who are trying to oust him from an office he earned through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to our Party, our State, and each and every South Carolinian.

Naysayers will have you believe that Ken will no longer be able to do his job because of all the distractions, yet these same people are the ones causing the distractions. Whether you voted for Ken, campaigned for Ken, or campaigned against him, the fact of the matter is that the people of South Carolina have spoken. They chose Ken Ard to represent them in the office of the Lt. Gov. Good, bad or indifferent we must now stand behind the people's choice.

Sometimes I sit and think about the irony in the fact that we have many people in our Party who claim to be true and devoted Republicans, yet they seek out to destroy their own. Evil seeks out the weak and the wounded and when a man is constantly beaten down, his spirit becomes broken and that's when they pounce. In this case, Democrats know the time may be near when Ken may succumb to their constant cries for him to resign. But as long as we rally together and get behind our friend in need, they can't break us. There may be a crack in the facade of the Republican Party and among Republican in this state but it's time to join hands, friend and foe, to help ensure the continued success of Republicans in South Carolina.

My time with the Party may be coming to an end for the mere fact that I am simply out of fight. But let's not let Ken give up or bow out. The curtain's raised, the second act is beginning and by God another Republican's curtain will not fall as long as there are those of us who truly believe in this, our Grand Old Party. With every step a man takes throughout the course of his day, he thinks, he feels, he plots his next move. Let's walk, side by side with Ken Ard. We owe him that much.