The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

A. Because He’s Black, That’s Why

Posted on | June 11, 2010 | 43 Comments

Q. Why did Alvin Greene win the Democratic primary for Senate in South Carolina with the same percentage of the vote as Barack Obama?

Do I think that putting an accused sexual predator on the Democratic primary ballot was a GOP dirty trick?

Yes, I do.

But a much better question is this: Do I think that getting an accused sexual predator on the Democratic primary ballot was a brilliant GOP dirty trick?

Oh, hell yes.

And is Keith Olbermann an obnoxious a–hole?

UPDATE: How . . . “perplexing“:

The campaign of defeated Democratic Senate candidate Vic Rawl has assembled a team of national academic experts to review Tuesday’s perplexing South Carolina primary results . . .

If any Republican ever suggested something “perplexing” in an election won by a black man? Raaaaacism!

Category: Democrats, Racism, Senate, South Carolina

Comments

43 Responses to “A. Because He’s Black, That’s Why”

  1. Moe Lane
    June 11th, 2010 @ 7:56 pm

    Yes, but why? What payoff is there? Was this some sort of dirty tricks thesis project? 🙂

  2. Moe Lane
    June 11th, 2010 @ 3:56 pm

    Yes, but why? What payoff is there? Was this some sort of dirty tricks thesis project? 🙂

  3. Robert Stacy McCain
    June 11th, 2010 @ 8:04 pm

    What payoff is there?

    Two words: Republican lawyer.

    “Y’know, Alvin, I believe I know somebody who can help you beat the rap here . . ..”

    Dude, it’s South Carolina, the Chicago of the GOP.

  4. Robert Stacy McCain
    June 11th, 2010 @ 4:04 pm

    What payoff is there?

    Two words: Republican lawyer.

    “Y’know, Alvin, I believe I know somebody who can help you beat the rap here . . ..”

    Dude, it’s South Carolina, the Chicago of the GOP.

  5. Shannon
    June 11th, 2010 @ 8:40 pm

    Oh, come on. DeMint was hardly in any trouble. Moe is right; there’s no payoff.

    Greene’s win is not all that puzzling to South Carolinians for two race-related reasons: the majority of S.C. Democratic voters are black; the name “Greene,” with the -e on the end, in S.C. is a black name, as is the first name “Alvin.” There’s a third reason as well. DeMint’s challenger was a well-known liberal Democrat, an attorney from Charleston who used to be a high-ranking county party official. See? The Democrat vote was really split three ways. The state Dems didn’t count on the black cultural factor in Greene’s candidacy.

    Please don’t jump to conclusions. We have enough problems with image down here (admittedly all deserved); don’t stick us with this.

  6. Shannon
    June 11th, 2010 @ 4:40 pm

    Oh, come on. DeMint was hardly in any trouble. Moe is right; there’s no payoff.

    Greene’s win is not all that puzzling to South Carolinians for two race-related reasons: the majority of S.C. Democratic voters are black; the name “Greene,” with the -e on the end, in S.C. is a black name, as is the first name “Alvin.” There’s a third reason as well. DeMint’s challenger was a well-known liberal Democrat, an attorney from Charleston who used to be a high-ranking county party official. See? The Democrat vote was really split three ways. The state Dems didn’t count on the black cultural factor in Greene’s candidacy.

    Please don’t jump to conclusions. We have enough problems with image down here (admittedly all deserved); don’t stick us with this.

  7. Dave C
    June 11th, 2010 @ 8:43 pm

    So you mean that Lindsey Graham has the same clout as Mayor Richard Daly?

    Scary…

  8. Dave C
    June 11th, 2010 @ 4:43 pm

    So you mean that Lindsey Graham has the same clout as Mayor Richard Daly?

    Scary…

  9. Dave C
    June 11th, 2010 @ 8:48 pm

    Do I think that getting an accused sexual predator on the Democratic primary ballot was a brilliant GOP dirty trick?

    Isn’t that resume enhancement for Democrats anyway?

    Or is it only after they are elected?

  10. Dave C
    June 11th, 2010 @ 4:48 pm

    Do I think that getting an accused sexual predator on the Democratic primary ballot was a brilliant GOP dirty trick?

    Isn’t that resume enhancement for Democrats anyway?

    Or is it only after they are elected?

  11. Stogie
    June 11th, 2010 @ 9:15 pm

    Well of course the GOP planted this guy! They knew that Democrats across S.C. would love to vote for a guy who is semi-articulate, who is named after the lead singer of the Chipmunks, and who is facing a felony rap for sexual abuse!

    And then there are the microwaves the GOP beamed into the skulls of the Democrat voters, forcing them to vote for Greene! Only those with tinfoil hats were shielded from the effects of these rays, and there were only a few of them.

    Of course, this sounds preposterous, but we knew that fact would give us cover! Plausible denial! Oh hahahahahahaha! (evil laughter).

  12. Stogie
    June 11th, 2010 @ 5:15 pm

    Well of course the GOP planted this guy! They knew that Democrats across S.C. would love to vote for a guy who is semi-articulate, who is named after the lead singer of the Chipmunks, and who is facing a felony rap for sexual abuse!

    And then there are the microwaves the GOP beamed into the skulls of the Democrat voters, forcing them to vote for Greene! Only those with tinfoil hats were shielded from the effects of these rays, and there were only a few of them.

    Of course, this sounds preposterous, but we knew that fact would give us cover! Plausible denial! Oh hahahahahahaha! (evil laughter).

  13. Wondering Jew
    June 11th, 2010 @ 10:02 pm

    Instead of focusing on this clown(fun as it might be), why don’t we spend some time promoting Tim Scott, the CONSERVATIVE African-American candidate for Congress in SC-1 who goes into a runoff in two weeks leading the son of Strom Thurmond.

    Scott (who was praised by DeMint today) is exactly the kind of man we need in Washington, and for him to be beaten by someone with the thin resume and questionable conservatism of Thurmond is definitely something we want to avoid.

    You’ve linked to a good blog post about this race. How about a diary here? 🙂

  14. Wondering Jew
    June 11th, 2010 @ 6:02 pm

    Instead of focusing on this clown(fun as it might be), why don’t we spend some time promoting Tim Scott, the CONSERVATIVE African-American candidate for Congress in SC-1 who goes into a runoff in two weeks leading the son of Strom Thurmond.

    Scott (who was praised by DeMint today) is exactly the kind of man we need in Washington, and for him to be beaten by someone with the thin resume and questionable conservatism of Thurmond is definitely something we want to avoid.

    You’ve linked to a good blog post about this race. How about a diary here? 🙂

  15. If Alvin Greene IS a plant………… « The Daley Gator
    June 11th, 2010 @ 7:37 pm

    […] Jun Then why did Democrats vote for him? I mean, the Republicans, or Tea Parties can “plant” as many Alvin Greenes as they like, […]

  16. Lipton T. Bagg
    June 11th, 2010 @ 11:56 pm

    Noted and linked with gratitude.

    http://viewedfromtheright.blogspot.com/2010/06/mean-alvin-greene.html

    -LTB

  17. Lipton T. Bagg
    June 11th, 2010 @ 7:56 pm

    Noted and linked with gratitude.

    http://viewedfromtheright.blogspot.com/2010/06/mean-alvin-greene.html

    -LTB

  18. joecarrsr
    June 12th, 2010 @ 12:05 am

    It does show you that in Democratic circles the the right don’t know what the left hand is doing.It is kind of like when the great Nancy Pelosi said before getting the Obamacare passed,”let us pass the bill then you can find out what is in it”.How stupid do you think the American people are to adhere to that statement.

  19. joecarrsr
    June 11th, 2010 @ 8:05 pm

    It does show you that in Democratic circles the the right don’t know what the left hand is doing.It is kind of like when the great Nancy Pelosi said before getting the Obamacare passed,”let us pass the bill then you can find out what is in it”.How stupid do you think the American people are to adhere to that statement.

  20. richard mcenroe
    June 12th, 2010 @ 12:28 am

    Man,I WISH the GOP has that kind of brains and initiative.

  21. richard mcenroe
    June 11th, 2010 @ 8:28 pm

    Man,I WISH the GOP has that kind of brains and initiative.

  22. Erich Madden
    June 12th, 2010 @ 1:13 am

    I think the explanation is obvious.

    Somewhere in South Carolina, on the day after the election, a Republican Party official named Mortimer had to pay another Republican Party official named Randolph, a single dollar to settle their bet.

  23. Erich Madden
    June 11th, 2010 @ 9:13 pm

    I think the explanation is obvious.

    Somewhere in South Carolina, on the day after the election, a Republican Party official named Mortimer had to pay another Republican Party official named Randolph, a single dollar to settle their bet.

  24. JeremyR
    June 12th, 2010 @ 2:52 am

    Was he a plant or a prank? Heck, I don’t think even Alvin knows. He is, with the exception of his skin color, a steriotypical dem politician.

    He fits the secondary demographic though. Is he a clone of Cold Cash Jefferson?

  25. JeremyR
    June 11th, 2010 @ 10:52 pm

    Was he a plant or a prank? Heck, I don’t think even Alvin knows. He is, with the exception of his skin color, a steriotypical dem politician.

    He fits the secondary demographic though. Is he a clone of Cold Cash Jefferson?

  26. Estragon
    June 12th, 2010 @ 8:23 am

    Let me echo the praise about Tim Scott. I’ve seen him for probably 20 years in public life in Charleston County (my rural county is part of their TV market, and in the outer reaches of their newspaper coverage area) – school board and then County Council. He’s the real deal, a true common sense conservative with family values and fiscal responsibility. If elected, he will rise quickly as a national party leader. But Paul Thurmond, should he win, also has the potential for excellence. It’s a shame they both aren’t in Congress already, they would be better than probably 90% of those sitting now.

  27. Estragon
    June 12th, 2010 @ 4:23 am

    Let me echo the praise about Tim Scott. I’ve seen him for probably 20 years in public life in Charleston County (my rural county is part of their TV market, and in the outer reaches of their newspaper coverage area) – school board and then County Council. He’s the real deal, a true common sense conservative with family values and fiscal responsibility. If elected, he will rise quickly as a national party leader. But Paul Thurmond, should he win, also has the potential for excellence. It’s a shame they both aren’t in Congress already, they would be better than probably 90% of those sitting now.

  28. Estragon
    June 12th, 2010 @ 8:36 am

    Oops, this was about Greene. My grand theory – and you may recall my early accusation of the Haley attacks originating with Bauer appear to have been proven right – is that some black minister decided to use the primary to make a point. DeMint is gold in SC right now – Jesus could beat him, but he doesn’t meet the residency requirement. The Democratic nominee is cold, burnt toast from the start.

    So he/they decided to pick a nobody, an Army vet, to run and only publicize his campaign from the pulpit of the black churches. They figured he would score a surprising number of votes since he wouldn’t campaign at all or raise or spend any money for advertising, and they could then proudly point to their clout, because his votes could only have come from them.

    They were blindsided when he won. Blacks do dominate the Democratic primary electorate in years when the Republicans have intense campaigns (SC has no party registration, you choose which primary to vote in each year), and Rawl has his own history of controversy – no wrongdoing ever proven, but perhaps a question mark. Plus, Greene was listed first on the ballot, and SC Democrats are pretty dumb so the top spot is always a vote-getter.

    I doubt the ministers behind it had any idea of Greene’s troubled past and criminal charges pending. That’s why they haven’t come forth to claim credit for his showing.

    All of the above is merely my conjecture, of course. I have no evidence and I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong any number of times – but not lately, and not now.

    Do your own math, but show your work.

  29. Estragon
    June 12th, 2010 @ 4:36 am

    Oops, this was about Greene. My grand theory – and you may recall my early accusation of the Haley attacks originating with Bauer appear to have been proven right – is that some black minister decided to use the primary to make a point. DeMint is gold in SC right now – Jesus could beat him, but he doesn’t meet the residency requirement. The Democratic nominee is cold, burnt toast from the start.

    So he/they decided to pick a nobody, an Army vet, to run and only publicize his campaign from the pulpit of the black churches. They figured he would score a surprising number of votes since he wouldn’t campaign at all or raise or spend any money for advertising, and they could then proudly point to their clout, because his votes could only have come from them.

    They were blindsided when he won. Blacks do dominate the Democratic primary electorate in years when the Republicans have intense campaigns (SC has no party registration, you choose which primary to vote in each year), and Rawl has his own history of controversy – no wrongdoing ever proven, but perhaps a question mark. Plus, Greene was listed first on the ballot, and SC Democrats are pretty dumb so the top spot is always a vote-getter.

    I doubt the ministers behind it had any idea of Greene’s troubled past and criminal charges pending. That’s why they haven’t come forth to claim credit for his showing.

    All of the above is merely my conjecture, of course. I have no evidence and I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong any number of times – but not lately, and not now.

    Do your own math, but show your work.

  30. mike
    June 12th, 2010 @ 7:56 pm

    Estragon, that’s the most interesting and plausible theory I’ve heard yet.

  31. mike
    June 12th, 2010 @ 3:56 pm

    Estragon, that’s the most interesting and plausible theory I’ve heard yet.

  32. O'Bomber
    June 12th, 2010 @ 8:02 pm

    If this Dem wins, we’re ALL in trouble!!

  33. O'Bomber
    June 12th, 2010 @ 4:02 pm

    If this Dem wins, we’re ALL in trouble!!

  34. keyboard jockey
    June 12th, 2010 @ 8:18 pm

    I think the Democrats have gotten fat, lazy and sloppy, that’s all Greene represents. In a way it’s like running Martha Coakley in Massachusetts for Ted Kennedy’s old Senate seat. What could happEN ANY Democrat was gonna win right? Yeah right!

    This isn’t the year of the Democrat.

  35. keyboard jockey
    June 12th, 2010 @ 4:18 pm

    I think the Democrats have gotten fat, lazy and sloppy, that’s all Greene represents. In a way it’s like running Martha Coakley in Massachusetts for Ted Kennedy’s old Senate seat. What could happEN ANY Democrat was gonna win right? Yeah right!

    This isn’t the year of the Democrat.

  36. Sparks123
    June 12th, 2010 @ 8:56 pm

    I agree that Keith Olbermann is an obnoxious a–hole, but this video isn’t evidence of it. None of the questions he asked where in any way out of line. That might have been the most restrained and polite I’ve ever seen Olbermann. If you want to say that Olbermann is picking on some poor fool, fine. But Alvin Greene chose to run for Senate and chose to show up on Olberman’s show.

  37. Sparks123
    June 12th, 2010 @ 4:56 pm

    I agree that Keith Olbermann is an obnoxious a–hole, but this video isn’t evidence of it. None of the questions he asked where in any way out of line. That might have been the most restrained and polite I’ve ever seen Olbermann. If you want to say that Olbermann is picking on some poor fool, fine. But Alvin Greene chose to run for Senate and chose to show up on Olberman’s show.

  38. Hope and Change (and Hateful Stereotypes) Liberals Can Believe In : The Other McCain
    June 14th, 2010 @ 3:37 pm

    […] never mind that. What does affluent Ivy League a–hole Josh Marshall have to say about Alvin Greene winning the Democrat primary in the “former slave state” of South Carolina?C’mon, […]

  39. You want hateful stereotypes? « The Daley Gator
    June 14th, 2010 @ 9:41 pm

    […] vote. But never mind that. What does affluent Ivy League a–hole Josh Marshall have to say about Alvin Greene winning the Democrat primary in the “former slave state” of South […]

  40. Charles
    June 15th, 2010 @ 5:06 am

    I think Alvin Greene won because he ran the better campaign: http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2010/06/alvin-greene-story-just-political.html

  41. Charles
    June 15th, 2010 @ 1:06 am

    I think Alvin Greene won because he ran the better campaign: http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2010/06/alvin-greene-story-just-political.html

  42. Charles
    June 16th, 2010 @ 5:51 am

    I have a new theory about where Alvin Greene might have got the $10,000 for his filing fee after watching the Camille McCoy interview. It was from a Hatfield not from a Republican.

    http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2010/06/is-alvin-greene-plant-for-hatfield-clan.html

  43. Charles
    June 16th, 2010 @ 1:51 am

    I have a new theory about where Alvin Greene might have got the $10,000 for his filing fee after watching the Camille McCoy interview. It was from a Hatfield not from a Republican.

    http://www.leftbankofthecharles.com/2010/06/is-alvin-greene-plant-for-hatfield-clan.html