Tuesday, November 02, 2010

John Spratt goes one more round

Readers: I'm writing about the John Spratt-Mick Mulvaney race in South Carolina... I'll have more tonight as the results come in. For now, here's a little bit from earlier in the day. -- TT

A black Prius pulled up to Cotton Belt Elementary in York, S.C., and John Spratt got out, hunched over against the chill.

Spratt woke up at 4:45 a.m. Tuesday so he could make it to the shift change at the Bowater paper plant. He had breakfast at Ebenezer Grill in Rock Hill to meet some more voters. And now he was out at the elementary school to cast his own vote, and campaign a little bit, and try to squeeze out a win with the political world tilted against him.

He and his wife, Jane, headed for the cafeteria to vote, and he gave a quick prediction: "It's a tossup."

Of all today's political face-offs in the Carolinas, Spratt's race against Mick Mulvaney feels like the one most closely tied to the country at large -- a Democrat in trouble, a Republican riding the hot issues, a veteran politician pushed to the edge.

Spratt was first elected to Congress in South Carolina's 5th District in 1982. Ronald Reagan was in his first term and Barack Obama was a college student. Spratt made friends, and built seniority, and now he is in a powerful role -- chairman of the House Budget Committee. Over the years he gained a reputation as a fiscal conservative, as a Democrat who could work with Republicans, and as a rare congressman known more for what he does than what he says.

But Spratt voted for the TARP bailout, and he voted for the stimulus package, and he voted for Obama's health-care plan, and now he's in political trouble. Mulvaney, a Republican state senator, has made a smart and unusual argument: He admits that Spratt has been good at his job, but he says that's not the case anymore. "Those times have changed," Mulvaney says, "and it's time for us to change congressmen."

Spratt wasn't helped by a terrible TV ad run in his behalf by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The ad portrayed Mulvaney as a villain who would make Social Security illegal and put your grandma in jail. No, really -- there was a picture of an elderly woman behind bars. The ad didn't come directly from his campaign, but either way, it was an un-Spratt way of doing business.

So now, as Spratt and his wife rode up to the school, they had to pass not just Mulvaney signs but red-and-yellow signs that say SACK SPRATT.

Spratt is South Carolina's last white Democrat in Congress. He's in a state that historically trends conservative, with a Republican (Nikki Haley) favored for governor, and a Republican lock (Jim DeMint) for the U.S. Senate. He's running in a year when Republicans expect to gain seats nationwide.

He's also fighting other battles. He's showing the early symptoms of Parkinson's disease; as he talks, his right hand shakes. He turned 68 on Monday, and he wears a hearing aid, and he has never been much of a grip-and-grin guy. He's earnest and he looks you in the eye when he talks. It's impressive face-to-face, but maybe it loses a little under the bright lights.

"You'll need a picture ID or your voter card," the guy at the polling place said, and everybody laughed because they all knew who it was. But he got out his ID anyway, and he and Jane cast their votes, and then he went around saying hey to everybody and asking about turnout. (At 11 a.m., in a precinct with 1,600 voters, more than 200 had voted and another 200 had voted absentee.)

"We've had good turnout so far, but I hope we get more, for democracy's sake and for my sake," he said. "It looks like it's going to be a pretty day. I remember some Election Days that looked a lot rougher than this."

Fourteen times in a row, Spratt has come away from Election Day a winner. What does he think about this time?

He looks away. Then looks back.

"I won't be surprised at anything."

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mulvany is an extra NC Congressman if he wins. See where his house is, where his businesses are, and where his kids go to school. None of those are in SC.

Anonymous said...

This SPENDTHRIFT BOZO should have been retired 30 years ago.I hope to see the incompetent Socialist inT te UN EMPLOYMENT LINE WITH b oBOTOX PELOSI, SLIMY HARRY, AND BARNEY FIFE. WITH THE MARXIST PIG JOINING THEM IN 2012 IF OUR ONCE GREAT NATION LASTS TWO MORE YEARS1

Kingward said...

Well, then he's an extra N.C. Congressman because he is going in big-time.

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Anonymous said...

Mulvaney lives in Lancaster County, SC according to his web site and Wikipedia.

Lynne Stevenson said...

This reminds me of the Election Day in 1996 where Strom Thurmond and his staff made an appearance at the Florence, SC store where I worked. There were tv cameras all over the place and I had to explain to a couple from Canada who had no idea who he was or that it was an Election Day here in The States.

I just hope and pray that whomever is elected can somehow pull us out of this economic quagmire without us going into another World World or ending up being totally dominated by China after they call in all of the loans we owe them...

Anonymous said...

I hope Spratt goes Splatt

Anonymous said...

And Spratt lives in DC, and is a DC insider and great pals with Nancy Pelosi.

Anonymous said...

So isnt this the same complaint Dems had regarding John McCain in 2008?? McCain "wont survive" 4 years in office. Why arent they saying this about Spratt?....Sympathetic piece towards Spratt. I suppose I shouldnt be surprised with the liberal pos that is The Charlotte Disturber.

Anonymous said...

What would be great would be to see Spratt greeting customers at Wal-Mart when I buy my Sweetheart a Valentine

Anonymous said...

Tommy,

This is the first time in over 40 years that Congress did not bring a budget bill to the floor before adjourning. Mr. Spratt is the chairman of the Budget Committee. The Observer, to my knowledge, has not once mentioned that Spratt lacked the courage and leadership to simply do his job.

Why did you too omit this crucial piece of information?

Anonymous said...

Maybe Mulvany will be a better voice for Charlotte than Useless Sue.

Anonymous said...

Spratt is DONE.

Anonymous said...

The fellow has been there 28 years. Regardless of the party, anyone that's been there that long is part of the problem.

Anonymous said...

Why are you writing about this NOW while polls are still open?I don't care if it is another state. Doesn't seem right somehow. Do an analysis tomorrow when Spratt is crying in his beer.

Clem Clididdle said...

Just got through voting in Fort Mill. Judging by the large crowds, the lack of teeth, the crew cuts, and the dim expressions on the voters waiting in line, I suspect Mulvaney will win this precinct.

Mick said...

When Spratt gets voted out his district will learn what Spratt had been getting for them, b/c they won't be getting it all that Federal $ anymore. Never more, never more... fools.

Van said...

I respect Spratt's tenure and yes, he is one of the rare breeds that actually reached across the aisle to get work done. However, this hasn't been the case lately, but I think this has more to do with following Pelosi's agenda.

With that said, I think it is time for Spratt to go. He's sick, not coming back like he used too and rarely returns calls or emails anymore. I recall when Mr Spratt did this all the time, but he recently stopped.

Should he be replaced, I do fear that the loss of his senior position will affect not just York County, but the Carolinas as well. However, everything must come to an end.

Anonymous said...

As a life-long York County voter, I think it's a shame that Mr. Spratt lost his election. I feel strongly that he has been a credit to the area, the state, and the nation, and that he is one of those rare politicians who cares more about what's good for the country as a whole than scoring political points. Unfortunately, that might have cost him this election, but it does not diminish my regard for him. Job well done, Mr. Spratt. And thank you.

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