Under current State Ethics Commission regulations, there’s a time between the pre-primary and pre-election disclosure reports known as the “dark period.” For about three weeks, there’s no knowing who is dumping money into campaigns. That is, not until the next deadline — June 10 for the primaries, Jan. 10 for the general election. It’s been a big, gaping hole in the disclosure process.

If you recall, in 2008, Howard Rich, his shell corporations and lackeys backed up the Brinks truck to the “hit list” candidates — plus a few Democrats — during the dark period before the primaries. It allowed these candidates to run around, saying they are no man’s puppet. Then — whoop! — strings appear and the dancing starts, but we don’t find out until after the election. It’s a calculated move, one to hide the virtual purchase of the General Assembly.

Wednesday, the House passed H. 3066 in a vote of 108-1 to put a halt to this practice. If it makes it into law, candidates would have to file 48-hour notices of contributions during the dark period, just like Federal candidates. It would go into effect right after being signed by the Governor, but we doubt that it would be fast-tracked to a degree to where the Senate would pass it, and the bill gets signed, before the dark period starts for this year’s primaries.

If U.S. Sen. John McCain was an LOLcat, his picture would say, “I can has irony?” The man who tubthumped all during the 2000 Republican primary race for campaign finance reform seems to have violated the law he co-wrote with U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold several years ago. Yeah, color us surprised that an easily-figured out mistake was overlooked by McCain and his guy in South Carolina, gubernatorial candidate and Atty. Gen. Henry McMaster. It’s like that sort of thing happens all the time.

Notice, in the letter McCain sent to raise money for Henry Mac, he failed to include a main part of his legislation.

My Friend,

South Carolina occupies a special place in my heart. I will always be grateful to you for your willingness to stand by my side during our campaign to defend the greatness of America.

Our South Carolina primary victory made it possible for me to make our case to the nation. And while we fell short in November, I believe today there is a rising tide of determination across this nation to return to the cause of freedom. I know that you and others in South Carolina are ready to rise to meet that challenge.

As you know, there is a movement afoot by the defenders of big government to take over health care, to raise our taxes, re-distribute wealth and place staggering debt on the shoulders of future generations.

There has never been a time in our history when it was more important than it is today to elect leaders with integrity, experience, good judgment and solid conservative principles.

You have such a leader in Henry McMaster, who, as you know, is now running for Governor of South Carolina.

I have known Henry for over a decade. He was the very first person Ronald Reagan selected to serve as U.S. Attorney. And for the past seven years, as your Attorney General, Henry has set an example for the nation on how a dedicated champion for conservative government can make a tremendous difference in the lives of citizens.

Henry McMaster truly has earned a national reputation for his effective crackdown on domestic violence, internet predators, polluters and white collar criminals who ruin lives and exploit the innocent. Henry has always been faithful to the core conservative values we share.

I was honored to have Henry serve as my statewide co-chairman in South Carolina. I know he is the right candidate to control excessive spending, create the jobs so badly needed during these difficult economic times and put South Carolina on the path to prosperity. I also know from personal experience that Henry is a man of tremendous personal integrity and dedication to service.

Please join me today in providing support to Henry’s campaign for Governor.

While he has an excellent opportunity to win this important election, victory in a statewide campaign is incredibly expensive. I am asking you to consider sending Henry a contribution as soon as possible to help him carry his message to the voters of South Carolina.

I know you are getting dozens of letters and calls with requests from various candidates for donations. But no race on the ballot this year in South Carolina has the potential of making such an important and positive impact on the future of your state.

Henry McMaster is the right candidate for Governor.

I urge you to help him, work for him, contribute to him and get actively involved as soon as possible. For the future of South Carolina and the cause of conservative government, I know you will be glad you did.

Thank you for your consideration. And most of all, thank you again for the trust and support you placed in me. I will always be grateful for your friendship. Best wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

Sincerely,
John McCain

Funny, the letter doesn’t include this statement, “I am not asking for funds from corporations, labor organizations, or other Federally prohibited sources.” That’s a part — specifically, 2 U.S.C. 441i(e)(1)(b); 11 CFR 33.62 — of the law that McCain authored that he apparently doesn’t think applies when it comes to (ahem) his “friends.”

So, when is McMaster going to talk to his bud, or refund the money raised by this illegal fundraising letter?

Patrick Davis is one of the best local musicians, and if you’ve seen him in concert, you’d have to agree. When we were in college, we were lucky enough to catch him opening up a few times for Danielle Howle and Jump, Little Children. Davis is also a big Carolina football fan. Recently, he released a song called, “Big Ole Cock.”

Patrick Davis, “Big Ole Cock (Just A)”

Oh, football. Anybody that says he hates “Rocky Top” and suggests having a keg at his wake at a football game has a special place in our heart. If you’d like to check out the song elsewhere, it’s not on iTunes yet, but you can go to Davis’ MySpace page, check out his Web site and hell, why not follow the man on Twitter, as well.

Davis, and other Carolina fans may have some reason to be optimistic on Saturday, believe it or not. The Gamecocks can play well at home, and if the team limits its turnovers, you never know what could happen against the No. 1 Florida Gators. That’s what’s great about college football. No Saturday is slated for a sure win, or loss.

UPDATE: As much as we’d like to keep football and politics separate, the stars always seem to align in a different way. Minutes after this post went live, we received an email from Sen. Vince Sheheen’s gubernatorial campaign. Guess who is playing a benefit concert?

Increasingly, it’s looking like the race for the GOP nomination in the Fourth District will come down between incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis and Seventh Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy. In the third quarter of this year, Gowdy raised more cash, but Inglis has more greenbacks on hand. Unlike the Third District race, which was relatively nondescript in its contributions and disbursements, this one was a little more interesting. Also, Sen. David Thomas, who has cultivated many a headline with his investigation into Gov. Mark Sanford’s naughty ways, doesn’t look like a significant factor. He’s like a baseball team that’s been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis
Contributions: $101,542.11
Expenditures: $36,218.92
Cash-on-Hand: $245,064.04

Notable contributions
Max Hyde, $250
Former candidate for S.C. Senate
Bo Aughtry, $250
Businessman
Ed Sellers, $1,000
CEO, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Mike Murphy, $500
Political consultant
Fund for America’s Future, $2,500
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s PAC

Notable disbursements
Brains on Fire (radio advertising), $4,358, $2,442, $4,617
Starboard Communications (mail preparation), $2,865.01

Solicitor Trey Gowdy
Contributions: $124,615
Expenditures: $27,292.79
Cash-on-Hand: $180,321

Notable contributions
Vic Bailey Jr., $250
Owner, Vic Bailey Ford
Vic Bailey III, $250
Executive, Vic Bailey Ford
Harris DeLoach Jr., $1,000
CEO, Sonoco
James Dunbar, $1,000
Dunbar Funeral Home
Hamp Lindsey, $1,000
Owner, Wade’s Restaurant
Bill Lowndes, $2,400
Tindall Corp.
Roger Milliken, $2,400
Milliken & Co.
William Webster IV, $1,000
Chairman, Advance America

Notable disbursements
First Tuesday Strategies (bumper stickers), $627
Linning, Smoak and Crawford (public relations), $2,500
George Ramsey (strategic consulting), $2,000, $2,500×3
David Woodard (strategic consulting), $2,900

Sen. David Thomas
Contributions: $84,755
Expenditures: $8,468.24
Cash-on-Hand: $88,223.98

Notable contributions
Tim Brett, $2,400
Brett, Inc.
Tony Denny, $1,000
Lobbyist/consultant
Billy O’Dell, $500
State senator
Ed Sellers, $2,400
CEO, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
William Webster IV, $1,000
Advance America
Advance America, $2,300
Payday lending company
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, $5,000
Insurance company
Cash America International, $2,500
Payday lending company
World Acceptance Corporation, $2,500
Payday lending company

Notable disbursements
Richard Quinn & Associates (polling), $1,500
Rod Shealy (polling), $750

Christina Jeffrey
Contributions: $8,121
Expenditures: $3,980.16
Cash-on-Hand: $23,777.61

Jim Lee
Contributions: $13,032.94
Expenditures: $10,893.48
Cash-on-Hand: 2,139.46

With seven Republican candidates jockeying to replace U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett in the Third District, there’s definitely some parity when it comes to fundraising and cash-on-hand. However, several candidates are burning through their cash, and it’s pretty early in the cycle.

Rep. Rex Rice, who is second in cash, spent over $10,000 more than he raised this quarter. Rep. Jeff Duncan, who’s in third, topped $21,000 in disbursements. The vast majority of the money went to campaign consultants. Rice paid firms of operative Robert Cahaly $14,404.63, while throwing $27,471.64 toward entities of Richard Quinn & Associates. Duncan gave Allen Klump’s Peacecraft Strategies $8,000 and $5,000 to WW Consulting.

For these reasons, Sen. Shane Massey leads the field, winning the award for campaign fiscal restraint. He only spent $8,028.59, leaving him with the most cash-on-hand going into the fourth quarter on 2009.

Sen. Shane Massey
Contributions: $23,221
Expenditures: $8,028.59
Cash-on-Hand: $39,365.31

Rep. Rex Rice
Contributions: $45,068.05
Expenditures: $58,499.56
Cash-on-Hand: $33,928.26

Rep. Jeff Duncan
Contributions: $37,136.25
Expenditures: $21,733.08
Cash-on-Hand: $29,615.62

James Galyean
Contributions: $40,462.58
Expenditures: $42,929.85
Cash-on-Hand: $22,618.39

Richard Cash
Contributions: $21,449.91
Expenditures: $17,154.95
Cash-on-Hand: $14,266.35

Mike Vasovski
Contributions: $6,777
Expenditures: $9,522.95
Cash-on-Hand: $8,896.80

Neal Collins
Contributions: $5,519
Expenditures: $5,513.17
Cash-on-Hand: $5,385.83

Second District Democratic challenger Rob Miller started off strong during the fundraising scramble following U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson’s remark, but as has been pointed out, he fell short of Wilson’s total during the third quarter. In all, Miller brought in $1,699,240.03, sent out $104,093.06 and has $1,644,070.84 on hand. The majority of his money came from liberal fundraising aggregators ActBlue and MoveOn.org. As a result, much like Wilson, Miller’s dollars had a nationwide reach, particularly on the coasts. Of interest were the number of engineers, tech workers and the bevy of college professors donating to the cause.

Notable contributions
Bud Ferillo, $1,000
Ferillo & Associates
Don Fowler, $1,000
Former DNC chairman
John Grisham, $2,400
Author
James Smith, $250
State representative
John Land, $350
State senator
Dick Riley, $500
Former governor
Philip Birsh, $250
President, Playbill Inc.
John Hodgman, $500
Actor
Chris Weitz, $4,800
Filmmaker
AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America, $5,000
U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s PAC
Friends of Rosa DeLauro, $1,000
Committee of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Keep Nick Rahall in Congress, $2,000
Committee of U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall
Moran for Congress, $1,000
Committee of U.S. Rep. Jim Moran
Secure PAC, $1,000
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson’s PAC

Notable disbursements
Envision Communications (media/advertising), $4,576.33
Libertas LLC (Web site and new media), $1,500×2
Lucky Media Group (Web site), $4,000
NGP (campaign office suite), $1,650, $450
Benjamin Ray (Web expenses), $4,467.90

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson made bank after the Obama speech brouhaha. The contributions were from around everywhere, though the Houston area, the Northeast, California and Florida figured prominently in the contributions. Regardless, there was a ton of money flowing in. At the time of reporting, Wilson showed a balance of $2,692,063.98 received, $305,909.58 disbursed and $2,598,104.23 on hand. Insanity. Apparently, while the economy is still in the dumpster, there are a number of people willing to give up hard cash to pols.

Notable contributions
Richard Hook, $5,000
President, US1 Flea Market
Sam Jones, $1,000
Owner, Hampton Automotive
Richard Dyer, $250
Dick Dyer & Associates
Don Tomlin, $1,500
Tomlin & Co.
Charles Sellier, $1,000
Writer, Grizzly Adams Productions
Karen Iacovelli, $1,000
Businesswoman
William Golden, $250
Oak Ridge Boys
Bill Lowndes III, $1,000
Tindall Corporation
The Fund for America’s Future, $1,000
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s PAC
Friends of Jeb Hensarling, $2,000×2
Committee of the Fifth District representative from Texas
Ron Lewis for Congress, $4,000
Committee for the Second District representative from Kentucky
Every Republican is Crucial PAC, $5,000
U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor’s PAC
Chickasaw Nation, $1,000
Native American nation

Notable disbursements
Eric Dell (campaign consulting), $2,000
E2C Consulting (fundraising services), $2,000, $3,332.98
The Richard Norman Company (mail postage and list rental), $29,919.32
The David All Group (Web site advertising), $42,400
Under The Power Lines (Web hosting fee), $650
Active Engagement (Web site advertising), $52,250, $750
Mail Marketing Strategies (postal mailing expense), $2,513.94
Jump! New Media (Web site hosting fee), $650×2, $1,150
Pyrix (Web site management fee), $28,100
The Philips Group (fundraising fee), $8,831.65

Lt. Gov. André Bauer’s sub-rosa campaign for governor went to the health care industry in the last quarter, and went hard. Between companies, organizations and people tagged with “health care” on the report, he took in (from our haphazard calculations) $63,801 from health care-related entities. That’s about 22.3 percent of his total haul. We’re not going to list all of them, because who gives a damn, but it’s all on the report. Overall, Bauer raised $285,099.16, spent $68,004.12 and has $825,071.61 on hand. Also, it’s clear that while Rod Shealy isn’t the lead consultant for Bauer anymore, he’s still doing work for his long-time client.

Notable contributions
Health care industry, $63,801
Total interest earned on contributions, $27,092.66
Capital City/Lake Murray Country Tourism Board, $575
Business association
Darlington Raceway, $1,000
Motorsports track
Duke Energy, $3,500
Energy company
Burnie Maybank, $250
Former director of S.C. Department of Revenue
Enterprise Rent-A-Car PAC, $1,000
Car rental PAC
R.L. Jordan Oil Company, $500
Transportation company
Orangeburg Chrysler-Dodge, $100
Car dealership
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, $3,500
Energy cooperative
Fairfield Electric Cooperative, $700
Energy cooperative
Piedmont Natural Gas Company, $1,000
Energy company
Time Warner Cable — SC PAC, $500
Media company PAC
Distilled Spirits Council, $500
Industry association
Jim Hudson Automotive Group, $1,000
Car dealerships
Honda Cars of Columbia, $500
Car dealership
John Daly Enterprises, $1,000
Company of noted golfer

Notable disbursements
3020 Devine Inc. (rent), $200×3
Statewide Security Systems (security services) $200×3
Public Opinion Strategies (phone bank/survey), $15,000
Advancing Strategies (consulting) $5,000×3
Rod Shealy (mailing service) $6,261
SCPR Associates (research), $9,000

Sen. Vince Sheheen remains in the lead of the Democratic gubernatorial money derby, looking at $627,274.29 on hand, raising $229,085.26 and spending $61,888.20 in the third quarter. With two leading GOP contenders combining for more than $2 million, the Dems are running in the traditional role of being out-raised by their counterparts, but when handicapping the primary, you might as well see the fundraising totals in a vacuum.

Significant contributions
Elliott Close, $1,000
Former U.S. Senate candidate
S.C. Stevedores Association, $1,000
Union
Electric Co-op Help Organization, $3,500
Energy co-op association
The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, $1,225
Energy co-op association
WizWorks, $250, $300
Consulting firm
James Smith, $1,000
State representative
Bill Clyburn, $250
State representative
Greg Anderson, $100
Former S.C. Senate candidate
Fairfield Electric Cooperative, $1,000
Energy cooperative
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, $500
Energy cooperative
Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, $1,000
Energy cooperative
Santee Electric Cooperative, $1,000
Energy cooperative
Marlboro Electric Cooperative, $1,000
Energy cooperative
Creighton Coleman, $300
State senator
John Land III, $500
State senator
Marshall Meadors, $250
Former S.C. Senate candidate
Stokes-Craven, $500
Car dealership
Brad Hutto, $1,000
State senator
Mandy Powers-Norrell, $650
Former S.C. Senate candidate
Norrell & Powers-Norrell, $776
Said candidate’s law firm
Molly Spearman, $500
Executive director of S.C. Association of School Administrators
Phil Bailey, $25
S.C. Senate Democratic Caucus
Douglas Jennings Law Firm, $775.25
Law firm of a state representative
Daniel Boan, $250
Consultant

Notable disbursements
WideEye Creative (Web site service), $131.09, $6,648
NGP Software (computer services), $2,400, $297
HillSouth (Web site services), $111.90

Rep. Nikki Haley’s campaign for governor has seemed to be beset with fundraising problems from the very beginning. In particular, there’s the fact that U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett and Atty. Gen. Henry McMaster have been hoovering up most of the money that is to be had in the Republican primary race.

According to the report her campaign filed, she’s raised $147,643.18 and spent $68,137.55 this quarter. Her cash-on-hand balance is at $273,061.39, putting her behind Sen. Larry Grooms, who loaned himself a ton of money.

Notable contributions
Stokes/Trainor, $1,000
Car dealership
Great Southern Homes, $500
Home builder
First Citizens State PAC, $1,000
Bank PAC
Anthony McAlister, $500
Businessman

Notable disbursements
Sun Printing (office), $2,278.74
Red Sea LLC (office), $117.70
Spectra Integration (office), $2,800
Basswood Research (professional fees), $10,000