MORE REPUBLICAN RECRUITMENT PROBLEMS-- THIS TIME IN SOUTH CAROLINA

New rule: agree to a photo with Bush and avoid a GOP opponent

We've been covering Republicans having difficulties in recruiting credible candidates lately. Arkansas' Democratic senator and 3 congressmen-- all very mediocre legislators-- are going without challenges from the GOP. First and second tier choices for Senate and House seats in New Jersey have gone begging. And yesterday Wheatfield Town Supervisor Tim Demler, the fourth Republican draft pick for the seat of retiring Tom Reynolds in western NY, demurred. Someone thinks a guy who runs a pizzeria might agree to run. And we're talking about GOP districts and red states! You can only imagine what kind of dreck they're dredging up to challenge Democrats in competitive districts.

South Carolina falls into the red state category-- by far. South Carolina upcountry's 5th CD is a pretty red district with a PVI of R +6 (Bush beat Kerry 57-42%). The GOP has been unhappy that the 5th is represented by a powerful moderate Democratic congressman, John Spratt. Last year Spratt took 57% of the vote and got the very plumb assignment as House Budget Chairman. The Republicans vowed to make 2008 the year they would take him down.

With only three days left until South Carolina's filing deadline closes, it doesn't look like they're going to even try. The only Republican even considering a run is a school teacher and perennial joke candidate, Albert Spencer, who managed 37% against Spratt in 2004. "There's not a chance of any Republican beating him this time," Darlington County Republican Chairman Warren Arthur said of Spratt. "All you've got to do is look at the results in the recent elections." That's the spirit we expect from Republicans who are facing up to the overflow of public anger against them and their policies... but in South Carolina?