Challengers Given Opportunity to Speak
 Newly elected GOP National Committeeman Glenn McCall.
Gov. Sanford encouraged delegates to support his veto’s and help curb excessive spending by pressuring lawmakers who are not behaving like conservatives.
Two days later, on Monday, Gov. Sanford visited small businesses in Greer and North
Augusta where he joined with House members to thank them for their support.
Last week the Governor vetoed 69 items from the lawmaker’s spending plan.
“I’d give real credit to those who voted on the side of fiscal conservatism last week and we’re hopeful that it is a trend that will continue this week,” Gov. Sanford said. “It’s unfortunate that some of these vetoes are still in danger of being overridden, because we believe in the old-fashioned principle of a vote actually meaning what it’s supposed to mean. That being said, it’s clear there’s a growing nucleus of people in the House who recognize the very real shortfalls that exist elsewhere in government, like at Corrections and the Department of Education, and I want to thank those House members who voted in favor of meeting those challenges.”
All of the vetoes were set to be voted on Tuesday when the lawmakers return to town.
Each of the items vetoed has a constituency. The Palmetto Family Alliance is asking lawmakers to override veto item # 30, that includes funds for both abstinence education by Heritage Community Services, a tested and proven program, and teen pregnancy prevention a pro-condom program administered by DSS. Senators lumped the funds together, assuming they would be divided equally between the programs, giving the Governor a basis for his veto.
Senator Jim DeMint was well received by delegates. He gave an inspiring address about getting government back on the conservative track and was rewarded with an extended standing ovation.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, at one time the hero of South Carolina Republicans, was not booed as he was at the last convention, however, only pockets of delegates demonstrated enthusiasm for Sen. Strom Thurmond’s replacement by giving him a standing ovation. Sen. Graham made a case for supporting Sen. John McCain to protect the White House from occupation by Democrats. He concluded that Republicans can only win the Presidency with help at the polls from Democrats and Independents.
Fourth District Congressman Bob Inglis received less than an enthusiastic reception by many Fourth District delegates during his comments. Both Graham and Inglis openly acknowledged that they had differences with some of their constituents.
The only boos heard at the 2008 South Carolina Republican Convention were reserved for Spartanburg County Chairman Rick Beltram, who attempted to make a speech when called upon to report the Spartanburg County delegate votes for national committeeman. Beltram would like to replace State Chairman Katon Dawson when he steps down.
Delegates elected Glenn McCall, a retired US Air Force Officer, to represent them at the national level as a member of the Republican National Committee. McCall will replace Drew McKissick, who was appointed by the South Carolina Republican Executive Committee to replace Dr. Buddy Witherspoon who resigned to run for the US Senate against Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Cindy Costa was reelected National Committeewoman by acclimation without opposition.
Attorney General Henry McMaster, the humorous orator from the low country, made an interesting as well as entertaining brief address. He began his presentation by saying he hoped people supported the job he has done as attorney general. He went down his list of accomplishments. We will mention a few.
“We went after” people who sponsor dog fights, “and we locked them up.”
“We went after internet predators, and we locked them up.”
The sun is shining, but if it rains perverts, “we will lock them up.”
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