You would think that Democratic candidate for SC-02, Rob Miller, would have taken some good lessons from his 2008 campaign against incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson. When he announced again, it looked a lot to us like it would be similar to Beaufort architect Jane Frederick’s second run against the late U.S. Rep. Floyd Spence. He’d pull some votes, but wouldn’t significantly challenge Wilson.

Last fall’s fun and games infused both campaigns with an insane amount of money for a South Carolina race for Congress. Miller now has more money than Democratic Sen. Vince Sheheen, who actually has to run a statewide campaign for governor instead of just one of six districts. Capitalizing on his buzz, Miller has been traveling the country to raise money and making the best of his Internet fundraising.

But other than that, his campaign has largely been a low-key affair. So, it came as an interesting revelation to see the report and fallout from Miller’s appearance at a meeting of the Greater Irmo Democratic Club. From what we’ve been able to gather, the Club invited WIS to the meeting, then there was a brouhaha about who ordered the WIS cameras be kept out.

After a couple days of thinking about this, we consider it Miller’s, or his campaign’s, fault. The woman who spoke for the GIDC, Joanne Hafter, said in a story by WIS, “I just want to set the record straight, neither I or anyone from GIDC made the decision to exclude the media, especially after we invited the media in the first place. It was Rob’s campaign manager who was adamant about not having press coverage.”

We actually met Ms. Hafter years ago, when we went to school with her daughters. Between the person we knew (however briefly) and the person we don’t, we’re siding with the GIDC on this incident. After all, we’ve been alerted to other screw-ups with the media committed by the Miller campaign.

When you’re the underdog in a district that skews against your party, you have to be very careful about what your campaign does, who it courts for support and how you manage your media exposure. Common sense would say that Miller would have known this already. Doesn’t seem like his campaign figured that part out.

Holy hell, the Second District race is going to make a lot of people a lot of money. U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson still has a large lead on challenger Rob Miller, but both have the fundraising stats that are more on par with a statewide race. Both took cash nationwide, but there’s a difference. Wilson used the Internet and direct mail to solicit a lot of his donations. Miller flew around the country to do his. Both spent a great deal of money to bring in more money.

JOE WILSON
Republican
Contributions: $401,954.41
Expenditures: $612,042.93
Cash-on-hand: $2,341,915.32
(Debt: $102,359.29)

Significant contributions
David All, $250
The David All Group
Joe Edens, $400, $1,000
Edens & Avant
Whit Ayres, $1,000
Pollster
Don Tomlin, $2,000
Tomlin & Co.
Jake Rasor, $2,000
Restaurant franchisee
Roger Milliken, $4,800
Milliken Corporation
Association of Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchisees, $2,000
Business organization
Chickasaw Nation, $1,000
Native American organization

Significant expenditures
The Bivings Group (Web site enhancement), $3,000
Dustin Olson Consulting (campaign manager fee), $10,000, $5,000, $5,000
E2C Consulting (fundraising), $3,000×2, $2,000
Jump! New Media (Web site development), $9,000, $1,060.25, $11,791.54, $8,066.17
Cocentric Office (mail processing), $18,627, $531.69, $3,750
School Cuts (T-shirts), $2,466.56
Velvetex (flyers, signs), $5,323.25
The Richard Norman Company (direct mail), $65.633.05
Pour House (dinner event), $1,431.40
Jamestown Associates (consulting, video), $28,000
Benjamin Clarke (speech and article prep), $7,500
Farley Enterprises (online fundraising advertising), $16,270.50
Response America (direct mail), $5,877.76
David All Group (online fundraising), $72,775.20, $91,791.84
Carolina First Visa Card (credit card), $15,424.51, $16,339.29
Ayres, McHenry & Associates (polling), $28,800, $1,400
Advantage (polling), $1,600
Washington Intelligence Bureau (direct mail caging), $1,903.83, $2,621.56
The Phillips Group (fundraising), $2,925
Media Ad Ventures (direct mail), $28,985.78
MDI Imaging & Mailing (postage), $4,417.36
Mail Marketing Strategies (direct mail), $3,559.88
Bobby Van’s Steakhouse (meal expense), $1,490.85
WilandDirect (list rental), $3,750
S.C. Republican Party (contribution), $25,000
National Republican Congressional Committee (contribution), $25,000

ROB MILLER
Democrat
Contributions: $224,276.13
Expenditures: $223,156.12
Cash-on-hand: $1,678,333.40

Significant contributions
Irene Foxhall, $1,000
VP, Continental Airlines
Thomas Gibson, $1,000, $400
Actor
Royce West, $500
Texas state senator
Avon Ray Honey Campaign Fund, $500
Campaign committee
College Democrats of New York, $200
Political organization
Debbie Wasserman Schultz for Congress, $2,000
Campaign committee

Significant expenditures
4C Partners (field consulting), $10,000
Adrienne Donato (fundraising), $2,500
Ben Ray (Web expenses), $1,697.95, $1,500×2
Bryant Park Hotel (event expenses), $1,533.61
Cielo (catering), $2,121, $3,998.64
Darrison Barrett & Associates (fundraising), $3,000
Envision Communications (advertising), $15,501.90, $1,524.92
Intercontinental Chicago (event expenses), $1,000, $1,874
Mia Phifer & Associates (fundraising), $1,500
MSHC (web expenses, printing), $550, $877, $3,000, $35,435.62, $100×3
New Partners Consulting (research), $5,000
NGP Software (database), $1,609.75, $500, $5,135
Political Development Group, $3,500×2

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson is in a good position to be reelected, according to the latest assessment by Roll Call. The analysis slots SC-02 as “likely Republican,” the next-best thing to a door-slamming “solid Republican” categorization. This comes on the heels of a fundraising blitz by Wilson and his Democratic opponent, Rob Miller, in which Wilson, who was behind at first, finished with $2.7 million raised to Miller’s $1.7 million.

A poll taken just two days after Wilson’s “You lie!” outburst showed the candidates tied, but even some Democrats doubt Miller will be able to keep pace with the Congressman.

It probably hasn’t helped that Miller has taken a low-profile campaign approach and has generally avoided the national spotlight. Wilson has embraced his newfound status as a conservative icon and has even become a fundraising draw for candidates and party causes in other states.

As pointed out in the article, U.S. Sen. John McCain took the district by nine points last year, and there’s a chance Wilson could improve on his eight-point win from last time.

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

Round of applause, fellas. There’s a reason Congress has such a low approval rating, and it’s for events of political theater like the one that unfolded Tuesday evening in the U.S. House. Maybe it’s because we’re friendly with partisans of both sides, and they all get fired up about this, but it seems to us that after the initial kerfuffle, this thing should have gone away.

Let’s recap: During President Barack Obama’s health care address, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson yelled, “You lie!” from the House floor. It shouldn’t have happened, it allowed a lot of people to throw jokes at his expense and poke fun. Great, that’s fine — he brought it on himself. Then, Wilson called Obama chief of staff and professional ball-breaker Rahm Emanuel to apologize.

Seems like that would work. A two-day story.

But, oh, this is American politics, and one turn deserves another, like a never-ending series of attacks reminiscent of August 1914. Liberals fired back, raising bank for challenger Rob Miller’s campaign. Wilson’s people countered, developing T-shirts and doing fundraising of their own. There were demonstrations and counter-demonstrations. There were clowns. Add into the mix an endless amount of sniping over the Internet.

What is the Democratic majority to do? We thought it was great that the Democrats picked a woman as its first speaker of the house in 12 years. Not so happy that it was Nancy Pelosi. For one reason or another, she never struck us as someone that you’d want in the leadership. But, it is what it is.

Sprinkle into the mix some classic South Carolina battles. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn commented in a story recently that he was none too happy that Wilson held a town hall meeting at Keenan High School, in the Sixth District. Whether that was a part of it or not, it was reported by a Politico reporter on C-SPAN today that Pelosi wasn’t initially behind the idea of a resolution, and it was Clyburn who lobbied for the resolution.

So, there we were, ’round 5 p.m., watching the House going through the roll call vote. In the end, the resolution passed, 240-179. Expect a continuing amount of warring against the 12 Democrats that voted against and the seven Republicans that voted for the resolution, including U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis, who is in a tough primary fight to save his seat.

The play was called by the Democrats, so we’ll analyze what they could, or could not have done, in the situation. There are a number of factors to take into consideration, but it should be split on external and internal lines.

Externally speaking, they should have let it go. Yeah, let the netroots and the grassroots and every other roots complain and raise money and put up blog posts and hold rallies. They do that pretty well. Have the House Caucus issue a statement saying that you deplore the congressman’s actions, but respect his apology, and that it’s the party’s intention to move on and pass meaningful health care reform. Done. The House Dems look good, and seem like they have their eyes on the ball. May cost with the die-hards, but they’re never happy, anyway.

Internally speaking, Pelosi had to act. House Democrats watched for eight years while they saw Republicans hold the line for President George W. Bush. If the Dems didn’t do something that is ultimately a pretty petty thing, it would seem like they were weak. And, this is Washington politics — it’s like the African plains. The weak get eaten by the lions. Also, it was a way of telling Obama that the House has his back. Internal politics, it can be a bastard.

And so it is. In the insular, high school-like world of Capitol Hill, the House Dems didn’t have perspective — at least, that’s the way it looks from South Carolina. They did a very red meat thing in the middle of debating one of the biggest issues of the last century.

So, here we go again. This story will probably run another week or two before the next scandal or catastrophe, and there will be more claims of Marxism and racism thrown around and maybe, at some point, we can finally get to the bottom of the health care problem in our country.

But that didn’t happen today.

After U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson had a moment of temporary insanity and yelled at the President from the floor of the House on live, national television — joining the long list of off-kilter moments from S.C. politicos — he seemed really contrite in his apology, given to Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel (then Emanuel probably said, “Fuck you, Joe,” because he’s contractually obligated to drop f-bombs every few words).

But, almost immediately, he started back on the attack, which was almost like saying, “I’m sorry, but not really.” The fact is, if you’re not winning, you’re losing. The gaffe necessitated that he had to turn it to his advantage. His consultants started seriously aggressively pimping his shirts, and there was a rally scheduled at his office in West Columbia. He went up on YouTube.

In the video, Wilson says, “The supporters of the government takeover of health care and the liberals who want to give health care to illegals are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly conceived plan. They want to silence anyone who speaks out against it. They made it clear they want to defeat me and pass the plan.

The campaign’s use of social media was well-done, though at times very annoying.

And considering he’s being blown out in the post-speech money race, something had to be done. He gave an underdog that he should clock for a second-straight cycle some life and made his reelection — an all-but-certain prospect — a real doubt.

If Wilson had just kept his head down and got whipped by the Democrats in the media and let challenger Rob Miller keep rolling in money, he would be in an even worse position. He had to circle the wagons, as a matter of course. Whether his reaction saves his seat or he wins just because the district is drawn that way, we’ll be able to deduce next year.

Rob Miller, running against U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, seems to have been handed a gift. Around 3 p.m. Friday, Miller was closing in on raising $800,000 online, basically getting a ton of money and free publicity for simply being the most viable opponent in the race.

Then Public Policy Polling released the results of a poll showing that Miller was one up on Wilson, 44-43 percent. The poll closely resembled, in terms of support spread across party lines, of a recent survey regarding Gov. Mark Sanford. If it wasn’t over a year from Election Day, this could be a problem. However, there is a lot of time between then and now, and this furor will die down. And as was seen with today’s tweet-off between @ragley and @wexler and @repboydbrown, there’s some debate as to the veracity of the numbers.

In 2008, Miller spent a lot of money and ran a good race and still lost by eight points. While we’re of the opinion he could change the spread, we’re doubtful of him changing the result. Unless he can seriously capitalize on this hubbub beyond this month, we don’t think he’ll pull it off.

As well, Clemson professor David Woodard basically said the same thing, “Still this is a very ‘red state’ and Joe Wilson is a conservative Republican with a long record. He is also a very energetic campaigner. He works very hard in his campaigns. I doubt he’ll be taken out by this, but he’ll certainly have the fight of his life trying to raise money and hold on to his seat.”

Monday’s budget debate included the longest House session of the year, so far. And, it was tweeted.

dphamilton: starting budget week in the SC House today…hang on to your wallets!

EBedingfield: Well, at least we are moving slowly thru this budget mess.

SCLegislator: The pigeons were more interesting than this.

SCHouseDems: Democrats budget agenda: job creation, public education, healthcare. We oppose GOP tax increase on local government under any circumstance.

AshleySHunter: listening to the House pass over every section of the budget. we will be here forever.

SCHouseDems: GOP leader Rep. Kenny Bingham introduces a new ‘fee’ collected by the Dept. of Insurance to increase revenue = Another tax increase by GOP.

AntonJGunn: In the middle of budget process and it feels like I’m in a Seder. They are “passing over” every section of the budget.

SCLegislator: @NathanBallentin The best part of this Twitting is not having to pay attention. (Can you see me waving at you?)

thadviers: at caucus luncheon sitting with the right wing conspiracy members Haley, ballentine, beningfield, Pitts and a few others.

RepJamesSmith: is working hard to make sure the State Appropriations Bill focuses on Jobs Education and Healthcare.

EBedingfield: Here we go again on the budget.

EBedingfield: Why would anyone want to take monies away from abstinence education in SC?

paigecoop: @EBedingfield Because it has been shown that abstinence programs aren’t effective

paigecoop: @EBedingfield. Prime example Sarah Palin’s little princess Bristol

tdkelly: @EBedingfield hmm, let me see. Maybe so that money could go to something that’s actually proven effective?

JoeyMillwood: Question whether or not to take stimulus money on the board in an amendment. Any input?

JoeyMillwood: Stimulus money will be used.

LinBennett: @JoeyMillwood My understanding 95% by-passes SC leg anyway and goes straight to munis and counties? Is that the case? #sctweets #tcot

JoeyMillwood: There were nine of us that voted against stimulus.

dphamilton: Vote for SC to accept “budget stabilization” federal stimulus money passes 108-8. Puts off for tomorrow what should be done today.

gcoats84: @JoeyMillwood wow, keep up the good work, please tell me it was a roll call vote

annephutto: back on the floor for the budget debate

JoeyMillwood: @gcoats Thanks man. It was a roll call.

JoeyMillwood: @dphamilton. I can’t count. Eight voted against taking stimulus dollars.

johnroconnor: S.C. Budget update: About 200 amendments have been drafted, not all on the desk. May not be as long a week as many thought.

EBedingfield: I was one of 8 who voted agianst the Obama debt.

johnroconnor: Just two amendments in K-12 education section of budget. This will be a short week.

KrisCrawford: The attempt to vote against the stimulus money before taking the stimulus money failed. Only 8 voted against taking the money.

KrisCrawford: going to be a long week it looks like. The AV component of ammendment presentatiions seems to be catching on.

tdkelly: @EBedingfield gosh I hope none of that tainted money gets spent in your district.

JoeyMillwood: @gcoats84 I also said thanks earlier for the support.

ccslick: Kudos to u 8 4 being responsible! @ebedingfield, @dphamilton, G.Smith, Nanney, @thadviers, Stewart, @nathanballentin, @joeymillwood

johnroconnor: The John De La Howe school does not get $600k for a new roof. 60-56 tabled.

johnroconnor: Rep. Harry Ott argues budget violates federal stimulus rules because it does not roll back EIA formula cuts from current budget.

SCHouseDems: GOP Rep Millwood Smith Ballentine Bedingfield Hamilton Viers Stewart Nanney vote against accepting Stimulus money. Bet theyll spend it tho!

ccslick: @SCHouseDems They voted against it on principle. I am very proud of their votes and for standing up for what they believe in and know to

johnroconnor: Rep. Dan Cooper says S.C. education spending exceeds federal stimulus spending requirements by .6 percentage points.

johnroconnor: John De La Howe school receives $270k for roof repairs.

AntonJGunn: is looking for earmarks in the state budget. Found some already.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn The Obama camp knows nothing about earmarks, correct?

dphamilton: @AntonJGunn spill those earmarks, lets expose them.

johnroconnor: No amendments in Medicaid section of budget. Done with USC system, higher ed as well. Moving right along.

JoeyMillwood: House plowing through the budget.

adampiper: @JoeyMillwood I think y’all are using a ben tillman era mule powered plow for the budget instead of one of those john deere kinds.

dphamilton: amendments to the budget offered by Democrats today already total over $67 million and counting.

thadviers: i have 5 amds for budget. all are taxpayer friendly that cuts government.

johnroconnor: Rep. Hosey 0 for $42 million on Allendale/Barnwell budget requests. Just gave the “ain’t too proud to beg” speech. #sctweets

adampiper: Democrats trying to turn State Budget into a sluggish spending spree – some things are the same in SC and DC. #sctweets

yvonnewenger: Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, tries to get $250,000 in budget amendment for Charles Webb Center’s developmentally disabled children.

adampiper: @dphamilton – great question on the floor regarding all children matter – born and unborn. #sctweets

dphamilton: An article about one of the reasons I voted to not take the federal stimulus in SC: http://bit.ly/fXgbk

johnroconnor: House refuses to reduce funding for abstinence-based sex ed programs. #sctweets

dphamilton: word on the House floor is that we’ll be in tonight until 10:00 PM. Glad I brought some snacks.

AntonJGunn: @dphamilton Yes these amendments are changes to the budget bot NOT ONE of them is a “tax increase” or a “fee increase”. Don’t confuse people

johnroconnor: Transparency advocates are not requesting roll call votes on budget sections, though they wanted one for each of 90 sections. #sctweets

AshleySHunter: just found out budget is going till 10 pm. nooooo…. but on a bright note, abstinence works when you are abstinent.

JoeyMillwood: Dems keep putting up amendments that want to spend money, money, money!

JoeyMillwood: Rep. John King’s amendment the latest to fail.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood There you go again twisting the truth. It wasn’t Dems that voted to spend $350 million of the recovery package in W&Ms.

SCLegislator: @AntonJGunn Til 10:00??? Why didn’t anybody tell me that?

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn It was the Dems and I voted against the stimulus, my good man.

JoeyMillwood: Dems keep asking for more money and more money.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood Yeah I know you voted against the recovery but this entire proposed budget before amendments was a GOP bill. All $5.6B of it.

JoeyMillwood: @dphamilton @ebedingfield @thadviers @nathanballentin I don’t think @antongunn realizes that the majority of the Twitter caucus stood firm.

adampiper: #sctweets – Bill Sandifer exchange re: Mark Sanford might be today’s highlight: GOP St. Rep. has not talked w. GOP Gov in 18 mos.

ShannonErickson: Amndmt #170, now-rolling along! Special thanks to Rep. Joan Brady for the red/white/blue cookies-note says “let’s not fight over the crumbs”

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn We’ll never get there with Dems trying to spend all the taxpayer dollars.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood I know what you did, but I am watching to see if you’ll vote against the final budget w/ the recovery money in it. :-) Scared?

AshleySHunter: maybe the twitter reps can ask them to cut the air back. i know there is a lot of hot air down there, but its freezing in the gallery!!!

adampiper: Gary Simril asks #schouse to help @HenryMcMaster fight the water wars. #sctweets

adampiper: @JoeyMillwood @dphamilton @ebedingfield @thadviers @nathanballentin @antongun- Please help @HenryMcMaster w. the Water Wars #sctweets

SCLegislator: Some of my colleagues need to trim ear hair.

JoeyMillwood: Rep. Hosey just pulled down lots of amendments to applause.

adampiper: @NathanBallentin Thanks for helping give @HenryMcMaster a supersoaker to blast NC in the water war.

AntonJGunn: @adampiper You know I meant “can”! “Yes We Can” protect our water supply. I got your back on this!

thadviers: hanging with rutherford, Thompson and Lowe in the anti-lobby of the statehouse.

adampiper: @thadviers is that the anti-lobby or the ante-lobby

JoeyMillwood: Reps. Ott and Kennedy trying to put on a show on the house floor. The Dems end up talking to each other more than republicans.

adampiper: SC Reps and Kennedy should move their sideshow to the lobby and let the House take up real business #sctweets

adampiper: @ebedingfield – can you ask Mr. Ott if he has a fancy GPS unit – since he accused only the Rich Republicans of having one

EBedingfield: Part 1B’s of the SC Budget. The where and how!

johnroconnor: House finished with first section of budget. About 1/3 through, according to no. of amendments. #sctweets

annephutto: Rep. James Smith fighting for National Board Certified Teachers – go Rep. Smith

RepJamesSmith: is pleased the House took bi-partisan action and restored National Board Teacher Certification.

AshleySHunter: according to bakari sellers- sanford has read one book- the earth is flat.

AntonJGunn: its 7:16pm and we are just starting to get to the meat of how your tax dollars will be spent.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn Your computer time is wrong. It’s actually 8:18.

AntonJGunn: @JonJon66 @JoeyMillwood yes my state government computer is so old that it doesn’t keep up with the time changes.

JoeyMillwood: Still going on the budget. Debating education now. Rep. Ott is talking about redistribution of wealth within a school district.

dphamilton: finally a Democrat admits they are for redistribution, thank you Rep. Ott. “I’ll be blunt, this is about redistribution.” –Rep. Harry Ott

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood “waving my finger at you” – there is no conversation about “redistribution of wealth”. He’s talking about backpacking funding.

AntonJGunn: Backpacking is a positon that is supported by the Ed Finance Study Committee and the SC Policy Council.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn Rep. Ott said the he was talking about “redistribution.” What are you upset about? That’s all Obama talks about.

rpagesc: @dphamilton Are they spreading the wealth around? It scares me when you all are in session late in the evening.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood That’s not all that Obama talks about. Never heard him use the word. If you vote for the budget you support redistribution too

PhilBaileySC: @JoeyMillwood Will you be voting for final passage with all that stimulus money?

AntonJGunn: I need to bring a dictionary to the House floor. There is so much selective language usage in here.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn No…He just passes the biggest spending bill in history.

PhilBaileySC: @JoeyMillwood Joey, please vote for it so I can pass your recorded vote onto the Club For Growth (aka your campaign funders)

dphamilton: @rpagesc don’t worry, we took extra vitamins today and we’re keeping a vigilant eye on things…they’re trying to increase weighting

WolfeReports: When Kennedy gets worked up, you just have to watch. Better than television.

dphamilton: @rpagesc they have an amendment to add on a weighting for poverty in EFA funding.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood No he didn’t. Congress did that. Reflect on your High School government class. Congress passes, Presidents sign on veto.

dphamilton: @WolfeReports it is if you have a mute button….don’t know if it comes across on TV/web but he is very loud in the Chamber.

johnroconnor: S.C. Budget debate is now on adding more funding for poorer school students.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood By the way, its still less than what the previous administration spent on wars in other countries.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn Oh excuse me.Obama and the Democrats in Congress passed the biggest mistake in U.S. Gov’t history. You’re making it easy for me.

dphamilton: alright, @JoeyMillwood & @AntonJGunn, break it up fellas.

johnroconnor: Someone’s got Thursday basketball tix if we’re debating school funding formulas at 9 p.m. Monday of budget week.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood Nope. The biggest mistake was Iraq. That mistake has cost us lives and money.

SCHouseDems: @shannonerickson Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran- Rob Miller- is watching these budget votes…

paigecoop: @dphamilton Please don’t break it up, some of us at home are enjoying the @JoeyMillwood VS @AntonJGunn prize fight.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn I guess if you don’t think the rest of the world deserves democracy and freedom from a terrible dictator, you may be right.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn What would Jack Bauer Do?

WolfeReports: @JoeyMillwood That is a very simplistic argument. We coddle dictators all the time, when it serves national interests.

WolfeReports: One more hour left in debate? Should order pizza, mix a drink and celebrate.

PhilBaileySC: @ashmanini It’s cool. @JoeyMillwood is too busy “growing government” right now. He could be very “stimulated” so look out.

AshleySHunter: wants to go home!

ashmanini: @philbaileysc LoL. I am enjoing the lively debate on twitter

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood No I think everyone deserves freedom and democracy. I don’t agree that’s what they have in Iraq.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn That will definitely be true when Pres. Obama withdraws our troops.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood Oh yeah, Bauer would not invade Iraq. He would defend and protect Americans on U.S. soil.

dphamilton: @AntonJGunn & @JoeyMillwood — Just to clarify guys, Jack Bauer is a fictional character.

PhilBaileySC: SC House GOP members to Dem House member’s questions: “I can answer your questions with bullshit and the amendment will still pass.”

JoeyMillwood: @dphamilton Yes…But Bauer is the man. He’s what we should all strive to be. lol.

JoeyMillwood: is tired and happy he didn’t forget his pillow at home.

JoeyMillwood: It looks like we may be winding down.

AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood The Millwood Motto: Special Pillows and Special Food makes me Happy.

JoeyMillwood: @antonjgunn hahahaha. For everyone following on sctweets, @antonjgunn and I are friends and agree on Lost and 24 and the greatness they are.

EBedingfield: Binding future GA’s in SC to spend money we won’t have. Is that a good thing? I think not!

dphamilton: @AntonJGunn Ha Ha, now that’s funny.

AntonJGunn: @dphamilton Jack Bauer is real. The House of Representatives is in fantasyland.

PhilBaileySC: Look at @JoeyMillwood spending all that government money. Bravo.

AntonJGunn: Its 10:10pm and we are just now approaching the end of section 1 of 90 sections of the State Budget.

johnroconnor: House wrapping up day’s work. More done on first budget day this year than my previous three sessions. About 40% of amendments.

JoeyMillwood: We have adjourned. Will pick back up at 930 a.m.

For South Carolinians watching the debate on Tuesday in the House on Rep. Greg Delleney’s bill on a 24-hour waiting period on abortions (tied to the viewing of an ultrasound), it may have seemed at times like having bamboo shoved under your fingernails would have been a more enjoyable experience. However, legislators, consultants and bloggers were tuned in, and tweeting like there was no tomorrow.

JoeyMillwood: Social Conservative fight taking off on house floor.
JoeyMillwood: Is a 24-hour wait period before an abortion unreasonable? I don’t think so.
AntonJGunn: is in session listening to people debate a 2 visit requirement to have an abortion.
JoeyMillwood: Dems are using lack of females in the House body as an argument against 24-hour wait before an abortion.
JoeyMillwood: Chairman Howard isn’t interested in the lives of unborn children.
JoeyMillwood: Dems think there’s something more importan than protecting the lives of unborn babies.
laurinmanning: @AntonJGunn – love assumption that women are too dumb to think for themselves before 1st doc visit. Perhaps all-male Senate will elaborate.
JoeyMillwood: Rep. Ken Kennedy wants to let his granddaughter to have an abortion if she wishes if she gets pregnant..
dphamilton: Democrats complaining we’re wasting time debating 24 hour waiting period on abortion, yet they are tying up the House floor on it.
AntonJGunn: 2 day wait period debate: This is such a waste of time.
PhilBaileySC: Listening to the Right Wingnuts playing to the base. I guess a discussion on bringing jobs to SC will have to wait for another day.
SCHouseDems: House debating 24-hour waiting period bill on abortions. Wish republicans would talk about creating jobs instead.
LachlanMcIntosh: SC GOP – Appeasing the crazy nut jobs who make up their base instead of helping patriotic hardworking South Carolinians who are struggling
AntonJGunn: Rep. Cobb-Hunter schooling the freshmen on the history of lawmaking in the GA on social issues. You go girl!
AntonJGunn: This is must see TV. All those at home/work turn on ETV.
boydbrown: amazed that we’re in 2009, and the GOP continues to bring up abortion
JoeyMillwood: Dems want at-will abortion, so of course they don’t want females to take 24 hours to think about whether they want to kill an unborn child.
JoeyMillwood: Now Rep. Cobb-Hunter wants to call on fiscal conservatism. It takes us fighting to save unborn children.
annephutto: listening to Gilda argue for women’s rights
JoeyMillwood: Republicans in the House fighting for the rights of unborn children today.
JoeyMillwood: Rep Cobb-Hunter calling out Dems that will vote for the 24-hour wait period before an abortion.
JoeyMillwood: Rep. Delleney makes valid points. You have to wait 24 hours to get married in SC. Why not wait 24 hours before you get an abortion?
laurinmanning: Old white man in SC House telling me that women are the ones leading the pro-life movement in state.
laurinmanning: Listening to Rep. Delleny interpret Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Justice O’Connor would be fascinated (mortified?).
AntonJGunn: @JoeyMillwood I didn’t wait 24 hours before I got married?
laurinmanning: Go @boydbrown! Bahahaha
LachlanMcIntosh: If this debate were on the networks, SC would turn blue overnight. The SC GOP is out of touch and out of ideas. It’s time for change.
laurinmanning: Fascinating that GOP lawmakers are pro-life yet okay with gutting Medicaid for poor children.
LachlanMcIntosh: @boydbrown Get em’ Rep. Boyd Brown! Expose these guys for this nonsense. Stand up for the people of this state.
laurinmanning: @adampiper let’s see how much unemployment goes up the more access to reproductive care is inhibited
Snead101: @laurinmanning And AGAINST information that prevents pregnancies but FOR information that prevents abortions @sctweets
boydbrown: the 17.5% of unemployed people in Chester County are more concerned about 24 hr wait period for abortions than they are job creation?
Snead101: New favorite characterization of South Carolina government: Horse and Buggy #sctweets #topprog
laurinmanning: We have got to get some more freaking women in the General Assembly. #sctweets
PhilBaileySC: This was said in theSenate in the last abortion debate: GOPSen toDem: please kill this bill,I can’t go home to my wife having voted for this
laurinmanning: Rep. Smith – Are raped women the only thinking women seeking reproductive care? #sctweets
AntonJGunn: Wondering what the Lord thinks about the South Carolina House and this debate. Good thing HE only knows.
laurinmanning: @ragley Still not enough. We have the only all-male state senate in the country!
laurinmanning: I’m going to buy Rep. Delleny a uterus for Christmas.
PhilBaileySC: @laurinmanning He’ll have to disclose that on his statement of economic interest.
LachlanMcIntosh: I wonder if Repubs like A. Young, Erickson, Harrell, and Duncan will make raped women wait for an abortion
PhilBaileySC: My Rep, Jim Harrison just voted to make raped women go through 24 more hours of agony.
alexstroman: RT @cdelleney: I’m so proud of my Daddy and his efforts to protect the innocent life of the unborn.| I am too Caroline Proud to work for him
LinBennett: @AntonJGunn Don’t know what He thinks but I’ll bet He’s not pleased that this even has to be discussed in the first place. #sctweets #sctcot
boydbrown: this was a dead issue in 1992 (I was six) in most parts of the Nation. Thanks SCGOP for helping me realize why we’re in the shape we’re in
LachlanMcIntosh: Erickson, Young and Harrell are out of touch with people they are supposed to represent. Look for Dems to pick up more seats on the coast
boydbrown: I saw Rob Miller wondering around the Statehouse, he must have heard how Shannon Erickson was voting on this bill
laurinmanning: Gilda Cobb-Hunter appreciates Delleny’s retention of what he learned in biology re: # of chromosomes, etc. Bahahaha #sctweets
laurinmanning: SC House’s abortion 24-hour waiting period debate has left me in severe need of a drink on this last day of my 27th year.
Snead101: Delleny doesn’t want to enforce restrictions on businesses, has no problem forcing regulations on women #sctweets
adampiper: @schousedems This is not a “wedge issue” – this is about principles not politics. Y’all are the ones playing politics with the unborn.
adampiper: Protecting the life of the unborn is “Arrogant”??? That what SC Dems think. @tcot @sctweets
JoeyMillwood: I think we should pass a bill with a nine-month waiting period before abortions. In other words, let’s ban the horrible thing.
JoeyMillwood: Rep. Phil Owens going at it on the floor of House for 24-hour wait before an abortion. Dems have stalled long enough.
JoeyMillwood: The fact is that Dems support the abortion of babies. As a father of a one-year-old I couldn’t imagine anyone killing a baby.
AntonJGunn: I am clear that nothing that is being said from the podium today is changing ANYONE’s mind today.
thadviers: still in session debating abortion bill
adampiper: @AntonJGunn – what’s so wrong with 24 hours?
boydbrown: 3rd Highest in the Nation jobless rate… What are we doing to fix this problem? We’re voting to wait 24 hours to have an abortion
JoeyMillwood: The life of a child is more important than the dems have made it out to be today.
adampiper: @schousedems – attacking crisis pregnancy services just ain’t cool. #sctweets #tcot
AntonJGunn: Cobb-Hunter is so entertaining this is must see ETV. I see why she got the Wilkins Award.
JoeyMillwood: Protecting the lives of children is getting on our “high horse,” according to Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter.
laurinmanning: @adampiper attacking women’s access to reproductive care just ain’t cool. #sctweets
laurinmanning: @adampiper assuming a woman isn’t capable of making tough decisions until the state mandates 24hr thinking period is arrogant.
JoeyMillwood: So many Democrats just don’t get it. We protect children in South Carolina. The bill is about to pass.
dphamilton: House votes to pass 24 hour waiting period on abortions by a vote of 83-28.