When Howard Rich decided to kick in his dollars for the 2010 primary cycle, his choices were of a better nature than last time, considering that in a lot of races, the candidates who accepted money had a better-than-average chance of winning. Even two guys who he gave money to try to beat last time — Bill Sandifer and Mike Sottile come to mind — are now considered OK. And speaking of stacking the deck, two gentlemen on this list were already virtually guaranteed to return to the House next year.

BILL SANDIFER
Republican, House District 2, won primary
Contributions: $18,025
Expenditures: $54,481.81
Cash on hand: $39,805.08

Significant contributions
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
470 W 116 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
332 E. 11 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Free and Strong America PAC, $1,000
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney’s PAC

Significant expenditures
Homeyer Strategy Group (consulting), $12,363.90
Jason Puhlaski (consulting), $1,540.84, $1,913.12, $5,000
Rod Shealy (mail), $8,274
On The Mark (mail), $11,892.32

DON BOWEN
Republican, House District 8, no primary
Contributions: $24,174.10
(In-kind: $100)
Expenditures: $4,832.16
Cash on hand: $25,326.75

Significant contributions
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
S.C. Leadership PAC, $1,000
Rep. Dan Cooper’s PAC
Palmetto Leadership Council, $1,000
Organization of Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell
S.C. House Republican Caucus, $5,000
Legislative caucus
Palmetto Patriot Leadership Committee, $1,000
Organization of Rep. Alan Clemmons

Significant expenditures
None.

MIKE PITTS
Republican, House District 14, no primary
Contributions: $8,650
Expenditures, $2,608.93
Cash on hand: $48,409.91

Significant contributions
538-14 Realty LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
332 E. 11 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
None.

RICK QUINN
Republican, House District 69, won primary
Contributions: $18,185
Expenditures: $16,200.10
Cash on hand: $12,680

Significant contributions
HuckPAC, $500
Former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee’s PAC
Palmetto Leadership Council, $1,000
Organization of Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell
S.C. House Republican Caucus, $5,000
Legislative committee
Leon Stavrinakis, $150
State representative
Hall & Bowers, $1,000
Law firm
S.C. Club for Growth PAC, $1,000
Political action committee
Stillrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Mail Marketing Strategies (mail), $1,269.59, $2,608.20×4
Richard Quinn & Associates (consulting), $3,600

JIM HARRISON
Republican, House District 75, won primary
Contributions: $16,799.65
Expenditures: $0
Cash on hand: $95,511.17

Significant contributions
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
None.

ROLAND SMITH
Republican, House District 84, won primary
Contributions: $10,250
Expenditures: $6,798.15
Cash on hand: $63,766

Significant contributions
The SCEA Fund, $500
Public education group
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Conservation Voters of S.C., $500
Environmental organization

Significant expenditures
Zacher Media Strategies (mail, ads), $1,912.42, $3,805.86

NELSON HARDWICK
Republican, House District 106, won primary
Contributions: $12,100
Expenditures: $34,643.09
Cash on hand: $15,389.23

Significant contributions
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Ripley’s Aquarium, $250
Attraction
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Lucky Dog Television (ads), $27,500

MIKE SOTTILE
Republican, House District 112, won primary
Contributions: $17,700
Expenditures: $39,542.37
Cash on hand: $8,091.18

Significant contributions
West 14 & 18 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Free and Strong America PAC, $250
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney’s PAC
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Stillrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Donehue Direct (consulting), $14,740.03, $7,511.80, $3,534.81, $2,023.60, $181.35, $10,485.43

TUESDAY
HOUSE
Adopted

• H. 4358, by Rep. Bill Herbkersman, to memorialize Congress for fair treatment of U.S. Navy Seals.

Debate adjourned

• S. 424, by Sen. Lee Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments.

SENATE
Amended, passed on second reading

• S. 1034, by Sen. Hugh Leatherman, to extend until Nov. 15, 2010 the deadline by which the Taxation Realignment Commission should submit its report and recommendations.

Third reading

• S. 517, by Sen. Tom Davis, to prevent any part of state government from administratively raising a fee or penalty without said increase first being approved by the General Assembly. The provision would expire on Jan. 15, 2011.

WEDNESDAY
HOUSE
Introductions

• S. 517, by Davis, to prevent any part of state government from administratively raising a fee or penalty without said increase first being approved by the General Assembly. The provision would expire on Jan. 15, 2011.

Debate adjourned

• H. 3279, by Rep. Tom Young, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow the voters to decide as to whether they would support removing the secretary of state from the number of constitutional officers on the ballot.
• S. 424, by Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments. The bill was amended before debate adjourned.

Rejected

• H. 3279, by T. Young, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow the voters to decide as to whether they would support removing the secretary of state from the number of constitutional officers on the ballot. The bill failed by one vote.

SENATE
Reported out of committee favorably

• S. 590, by Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, regarding petition candidates.
• S. 900 and S. 901, by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, to provide permanent security for the governor and lieutenant governor, and provide a specific rule for the chain of command.
• S. 1085, by Leatherman, to increase from three to five percent the amount of revenue deposited into the General Reserve Fund.
• H. 3231, by Rep. Ted Pitts, to have the governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket.

Third reading

• S. 1034, by Leatherman, to extend until Nov. 15, 2010 the deadline by which the Taxation Realignment Commission should submit its report and recommendations.

Debate interrupted

• H. 3418, by Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, on voter ID.

THURSDAY
HOUSE
Introductions

• H. 4451, by Rep. Dennis Moss, to ban liquor sales statewide not just to include Election Day and Sundays, but Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
• H. 4457, by Rep. Bill Bowers, to prevent private emails of public officials from being subjected to FOIA requests.
• H. 4468, by Rep. Michael Thompson, six words: South Carolina Study Committee Study Committee.
• S. 1034, by Leatherman, to extend until Nov. 15, 2010 the deadline by which the Taxation Realignment Commission should submit its report and recommendations.
• H. 4455, by Rep. Mike Pitts, (OK, we have to print this in its entirety) A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO WITHDRAW THE UNITED STATES FROM THE SECURITY AND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP OF NORTH AMERICA AND ANY OTHER ACTIVITY THAT SEEKS TO CREATE A NORTH AMERICAN UNION, AND REQUESTING THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OF EACH STATE INCLUDING SOUTH CAROLINA TO WORK TO WITHDRAW THE UNITED STATES FROM THE SECURITY AND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP OF NORTH AMERICA AND ANY OTHER ACTIVITY THAT SEEKS TO CREATE A NORTH AMERICAN UNION. (Lordy, can you believe these people? In what weird freako world does the U.S., Canada and Mexico form one government except in scifi books and the fringe of the fringe of American politics?)
• H. 4475, by T. Young, to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow the voters to decide as to whether they would support removing the secretary of state from the number of constitutional officers on the ballot.
• H. 4478, by Harrell, the, for all intents and purposes, House jobs bill.

Debate adjourned

• S. 424, by Bright, relating to the rights of South Carolinians under the Ninth and 10th Amendments. Democrats went to town proposing amendments to the bill, which ran on for some time.

SENATE
Amended, passed on second reading

• S. 590, by Peeler, regarding petition candidates.
• H. 3418, by Harrell, on voter ID.

Second reading

• S. 1, by McConnell, a constitutional amendment generally imposing spending caps and the like.

Third reading

• S. 766, by Sen. Thomas Alexander, banning novelty lighters.

Carried over, as amended

• S. 1085, by Leatherman, to increase from three to five percent the amount of revenue deposited into the General Reserve Fund.
• H. 3396, by Harrell, to increase from three to five percent the amount of revenue deposited into the General Reserve Fund.

QUOTES
Harrell: Ms. Funderburk is recognized for a…oh, I’m sorry. Are you up? Ms. Funderburk is recognized. Are you joining her, Mr. Gunn?
Rep. Anton Gunn: I am.
Harrell: With her wingman, Mr. Gunn.

===

On the resolution suggesting protection of U.S. Navy Seals.
Harrell: Mr. Kennedy, for what purpose do you rise?
You would like to ask me a question?
Rep. Ken Kennedy: Who is introducing the resolution?
Harrell: Mr. Herbkersman introduced it. There’s no one at the podium who wishes to take a question right now.
Kennedy: Are they being abused or something? Why are we introducing it?
Harrell: Mr. Kennedy, you have to…you can adjourn debate….
Kennedy: I adjourn debate until he can tell me why we are introducing it.
The motion was withdrawn.

===

During debate on the state sovereignty bill.
Harrell: Mr. Kennedy, it’s a concurrent resolution. You don’t request debate on it.
Kennedy: Well, how can we…? Let’s stop it.
Harrell: Mr. Kennedy says, “Let’s stop it.” I’m not sure of that motion, Mr. Kennedy.

===

Rep. Walt McLeod: The concept of an armed South Carolina militia is a concept already contained in the Constitution. This amendment – Mr. Bedingfield and I are good friends; sometimes we have a difference of opinion. The amendment speaks about armed South Carolinians. It says absolutely nothing about the militia. We need to be careful about having “armed South Carolinians.”

===

Rep. Bakari Sellers: My question to you is, when will the Republican Party get serious about anything other than themselves?
McLeod: I don’t think I want to answer that one, but I compliment you for trying.

===

Kennedy: Are you aware that what they are trying to do is arm every South Carolinian? Get every South Carolinian with a gun, so that when a job does come open, they can battle over it. Do you see that coming?
McLeod: I know I have a shotgun, which I use for hunting purposes. I’m really not interested in being denominated as an “armed South Carolinian.”

===

Kennedy: Wouldn’t you think the people who are watching this over television out there, in South Carolina, watching this debate, wouldn’t you think that they think we are nuts up here?
McLeod: I would think it would create an unfavorable impression.
Kennedy: Nuts.
McLeod: I don’t think I would agree with that word, but perhaps close to it.
Kennedy: Why won’t you use the word, “nuts?” It’s in the dictionary. Nuts. Wouldn’t you think that we are nuts up here?

===

Sen. Phil Leventis: Here we are, in a budget crisis, and we cannot get accounting out of the Department of Corrections, and the Governor is the only one who can take action to change this, and the Governor is quiet. This governor can’t be about accountability, he can’t be about transparency, because he is protecting his agency heads – this one in particular at the Department of Corrections – from any accounting or transparency with this legislature.

===

Thompson: Did you know that sometimes, I feel like putting a sign outside the House chamber that says, “Go sell crazy elsewhere – we’re all full.”

===

Sellers: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that we make Devan Downey the governor of South Carolina.
Harrell: Mr. Sellers asks unanimous consent that we make Devan Downey the next Republican governor from South Carolina.
Mr. Sellers objects.

Hey, kids! Did you remember that Dec. 1 was another one of those prefiling days for the House? Well, it can be excused if you forgot, considering the thrilling back-and-forth between Gov. Mark Sanford‘s high-priced attorneys and the ad-hoc House impeachment committee that morning. Actually, speaking of impeachment….

Rep. Jim Harrison, chairman of the committee, filed a resolution taking the lesser path, censuring the man with a love of Latin women with a penchant for Austrian economic theory. Like the impeachment resolution submitted by Rep. Greg Delleney, it uses some military terminology.

H. 4219: A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CENSURE MARK C. SANFORD, JR., GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR DERELICTION IN HIS DUTIES OF OFFICE AS GOVERNOR AND FOR OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT THAT HAS BROUGHT DISHONOR TO HIMSELF, THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO ITS CITIZENS.

On another note, the annual tax-free holiday on firearms in South Carolina brings a lot of yuks from the peanut gallery, and for good reason. A gun is not a necessity. Food is a necessity — how about eliminating sales tax on groceries, permanently? Eh, no, it’s important to make sure that sportsmen and those of other ideas (home security, building a militia in Oconee County) can buy a weapon of several hundred dollars and not pay sales tax. Really — if you have the cash to spring for a gun, you can chip in a few more bucks on sales tax without having to wait for a special time after Thanksgiving. However, Reps. Mike Pitts and Brian White want to make sure you can still get that tax-free gun.

H. 4220: A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 12-36-2120, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO REENACT THE “SECOND AMENDMENT RECOGNITION ACT” EXEMPTING FIREARMS SOLD ON THE FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING OF EVERY YEAR.

A lot of states and municipalities have laws against scalping. As in, it’s illegal to buy a ticket to an event — usually sports or a concert — and resell it. Some have relaxed that to say you can sell your ticket, but it has to be at face value. And if you’ve walked around Williams-Brice Stadium on game day, you know that nobody is enforcing scalping laws. Rep. Bakari Sellers is attempting to throw out the law altogether.

H. 4223: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY REPEALING SECTIONS 16-17-710 AND 39-5-36 BOTH RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION AND PRICE RESTRICTIONS ON THE RESALE OF TICKETS TO EVENTS.

Finally, a bill that is likely to go nowhere. Sure, there are tons of bills that get referred to committee every year and never see the light of day, but if you have legislation that’s likely to play well among the base of the minority party (in this case, Democrats), forget about it. Rep. John King is putting in a hate crimes bill. South Carolina is a national leader in hate crimes, according to a recent study (what a surprise), but considering the conservative opinion is that every crime is a hate crime, this bill is DOA.

H. 4224: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 18 TO CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16 SO AS TO PROVIDE ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR A PERSON CONVICTED OF A CRIME CONTAINED IN THIS CHAPTER WITH THE INTENT TO ASSAULT, INTIMIDATE, OR THREATEN A PERSON BECAUSE OF HIS RACE, RELIGION, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

During the extended session, Rep. Greg Delleney attempted to introduce his resolution to impeach Gov. Mark Sanford. After extensive discussion, Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell ruled that the bill was out of order at the time but instead should be put on the table for prefiling. So, here we are.

H. 4168: A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XV, SECTION 1, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, THE GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THE HONORABLE MARSHALL C. SANFORD, JR., IS IMPEACHED FOR SERIOUS MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE.

The bill officially went up today and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The cosponsors for the bill are Reps. Mike Pitts, Keith Kelly, and Gary Simrill. As of right now, it looks like desire for impeachment is slowing after it reached a fever pitch in August and September.

Harrell released the following after the bill was filed:

As we have consistently said before, the House should not take any official action until it receives the Ethics Commission’s investigative report so that we can address this issue knowing all the facts. Since, by Court order, the investigative report will be a public document once Governor Sanford receives it, I expect the committee to have access to that report.

Unless the investigation contains new information about serious crimes or serious misconduct by the governor, in my opinion, the information we have to date does not rise to a level to remove him from office. The Ethics Commission’s investigation will be used as the basis to determine whether or not the Governor’s actions rise to that level.

The Judiciary Committee will conduct its work in a deliberative manner. It is important that we take the Governor’s actions seriously and fully investigate this issue, but it is also important that we do this in a timely manner so that our state can move forward.

Initially, it seemed like all the phones were taken away from House Republicans who were meeting for their annual get-together in Myrtle Beach. There were no tweets, no news stories, no nothing. The place looked like it was on lock down. That ended Saturday.

One of the first signals came from Rep. Alan Clemmons, who started tweeting without abandon.

Then came the stories. According to reports from the meeting, GOP legislators in the House are ready for Gov. Mark Sanford to go hike the Appalachian Trail, but an agreement on impeachment wasn’t made. Regardless, not one representative defended the Governor, which bodes ill for him.

As it stands right now, Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell is advocating for caution, waiting for the results of the investigation by the State Ethics Commission.

“Members of the caucus are disappointed in him, angry with him and in some ways disgusted by the whole thing and they want to deal with it and they want to deal with it as quickly as possible,” Harrell said to the Associated Press.

However, legislators are chomping at the bit to throw Sanford out.

From The State:

Rep. Greg Delleney: “We determine what serious misconduct is. We’re not dependent on courts. We’re not dependent on the Ethics Commission.”

Rep. Mike Pitts: “It’s almost unanimous for resignation. At this point, I don’t see a rational man who’s thinking clearly and is capable of leading this state.”

Rep. Bill Sandifer: “I would predict these attacks [by Sanford] will become more volatile and more vile as time moves along. I cannot trust this person to stay in office.”

Delleney was even more demonstrative in an AP story, saying “He has disgraced the office of governor of South Carolina. He has disgraced and brought shame on the state.” The representative is also drafting impeachment measures, saying that the Governor’s travel to meet his girl on the side was “premeditated dereliction of duty.”

According to Politico, House Republicans are writing an ultimatum to Sanford.

GOP state Rep. Michael Thompson told POLITICO that several state lawmakers are circulating and signing a letter that will be delivered to Sanford early next week demanding that he step down and threatening to move to impeach him if he does not.

“If he hasn’t resigned at this point I don’t think that he is,” Thompson said. “Whether or not when all the cards are on the table the legislature actually starts the proceedings is anyone’s guess.”

In other news, The State called Sanford “Gov. McAngry,” which, after its totally toothless coverage of state politics over the years, restores some amount of cool to the paper.

TUESDAY
HOUSE
Reported out of committee favorably

• H. 3509, by Rep. Mike Pitts, to affirm the rights of all states, including South Carolina, under the 9th and 10th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Sent back to the Senate

• S. 428, by Sen. Larry Martin, memorializing Congress to make permanent the E-Verify program.

Ordered to third reading

• H. 3342, by Rep. Greg Delleney, the born alive bill.

SENATE
Introduced

• S. 460, by Sen. Gerald Malloy, a resolution congratulating Jordan Lyles of Hartsville on being selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros.
• S. 470, by Sen. Ronnie Cromer, to specify fees for recreational saltwater fishing licenses.
• H. 3352, by Rep. Dan Cooper, the school district spending flexibility bill.

Quotes
Unidentified legislator: (whispering) Going to Mardi Gras?

===

Debate on H. 3187
Minority Leader Harry Ott: Mr. Bales, now you telling me that if I go and cut somebody’s grass, and that person wants to sell his property, I can take out a mechanic’s lien on a hundred-acre farm just because I haven’t paid to get my lawn cut?
Rep. Jimmy Bales: It’s for contractual landscaping…
Ott: It’s for what?
Bales: Contractual landscaping services over $15,000. I don’t think you’d get that much to mow the yard. (laughter from the chamber)
Ott: I probably wouldn’t qualify for $15,000 to cut the grass. Thank you, Mr. Bales.

===

Rep. Grady Brown: I’ve been doing this every Tuesday, Mr. Speaker, but we remind you we’re still trying to promote beach music on Tuesday nights at Rust in the Vista. If you have time, if you want to hear some good music, drop by. Right behind the Motor Supply restaurant. Thank you.
Unidentified legislator: I don’t think so.

WEDNESDAY
HOUSE
Introduction

• H. 3614, by Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell, to restructure state government by removing the adjutant general, commissioner of agriculture, secretary of state and superintendent of education from the constitutionally-mandated list of elected officials and that those offices should be appointed by the governor with the advise and consent of the General Assembly.
• H. 3613, by Rep. Bruce Bannister, a concurrent resolution urging the promotion of curling as the official winter Olympic sport of South Carolina, and to appoint a representative of the state to investigate the designation of curing as the official winter Olympic sport of South Carolina. Adopted and sent to the Senate.

THURSDAY
HOUSE
Introduction

• H. 3629, by Rep. David Umphlett, legalizing raffles run by charitable organizations.

Second reading

• H. 3067, by Rep. Alan Clemmons, eliminating fusion voting. Amended and ordered to third reading.
• H. 3042, by Rep. Jimmy Merrill, legalizing mixed martial arts combat. Ordered to third reading.

Third reading

• H. 3245, by Rep. Delleney, mandating a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can obtain an abortion. Sent to the Senate
• H. 3342, by Rep. Delleney, the born alive bill. Sent to the Senate.

SENATE
Reported out of committee favorably

• S. 110, by Sen. Malloy, allowing the sale of lottery tickets on primary and general election days.

Third reading

• S. 12, by Sen. Hugh Leatherman, the Tax Realignment Commission bill. Sent to the House.

Quotes
Harrell: While I have got your attention for just a moment, the Minority Leader and the Majority Leader have agreed to order pizzas, so there will be pizza in the back in the back for lunch, so we won’t be breaking for lunch. When it gets here in an hour or so, go enjoy or order something else.

===

Rep. Ken Kennedy: Do you think that the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States frightened these people to death in South Carolina?
Rep. Bakari Sellers: Well, I don’t know, but I did hear Thad Viers is going to try to sponsor a bill to secede from the Union.
Kennedy: Oh my God!

===

Ott: Mr. Smith, does this apply to bridges that are currently under construction, and have already been chosen for a name, kind of like the Bob Harrell Bridge in Charleston? Last I checked, he wasn’t dead yet.
Rep. James Smith: It’s all about, if the bridge is not done, and not grandfathered in…
(Talking over each other)
Smith: I wonder if Rep. Nanney took that out…
Ott: I don’t know if she got preclearance on that or not.
Smith: That’s a good question, though. If this bill becomes law before that is built, I’d say our good friend, and colleague and Speaker’s dad would be out of a bridge, at least for some time.

===

Ott: Mixed martial arts — is that what we’ve been going through the past eight hours?
Rep. Bill Sandifer: I think you’re right.

===

Merrill: Mr. Sandifer, did you realize that everybody was kung-fu fighting?
Sandifer: I think that’s what Mr. Ott was referring to a moment ago.
Merrill: And, did you realize those cats were fast as lightning?
Sandifer: Now, I doubt Mr. Ott is.
Merrill: And sir, you probably didn’t know, it was a little bit frightening.

===

Rep. Walt McLeod: Good evening ladies, I regret to inform you that I am very tired of my own voice.
…
If anybody goes up I-26 at exit 85, just tip your hat — that’s where I live. If you ever have a flat tire along there, call me and we’ll come rescue you. We might even bring the fire truck.
…
So, I want you to drive carefully going home tonight. Be advised, don’t have a drink of beer, wine or booze on the way. Because, the South Carolina Highway Patrol has got (unintelligible). Whenever a legislator takes a drink of booze on a Thursday, it activates itself, and if you (unintelligible) before you do!
Harrell: Mr. McLeod, you must keep your remarks pertinent to the bill, please. (laughter from the chamber)
McLeod: Thank you very much. This bill, about which we speak…I’ve forgotten! (laughter from the chamber)
Harrell: Mr. Ott, for what purpose do you rise? Mr. McLeod, Mr. Ott would like to help you with a question, probably phrased something like, “Did you know this bill was bill number such and such.” Mr. Ott is recognized for a question.
Ott: Mr. McLeod, do you know what mixed martial arts is? Do you know what it does?
McLeod: I’ve been studying that for some time, and I don’t have any conclusions as of yet.
Ott: Well, Mr. McLeod, do you know what boxing is?
McLeod: I was a professional boxer in my earlier life.
Ott: My goodness, I didn’t know. What was your record?
McLeod: You want to fight?
Ott: No sir! (extended laughter from the chamber)