A New Day Dawnin' In South Carolina? Not Likely

The only state that has both Senate seats up in November is South Carolina. That's because Lindsey Graham has served his 6 year term and is up for reelection for one seat and because Jim DeMint resigned and was replaced with a gubernatorial appointment, right-wing extremist Tim Scott, for the other seat. There will be a special election to fill out the rest of DeMint's term. We've been concentrating on the Graham seat since he makes such a flamboyant target out of himself-- and because 6 hilarious crackpot teabaggers are running against him, plus a Democrat, Jay Stamper, who has been endorsed by Blue America, and because he is also being opposed by Republican cocaine dealer and reality show star Tom Ravenel, running as an independent (see interview below).

The other race, however, just got a tiny bit interesting. What was supposed to be a straight march to coronation for Scott-- he's facing Richland County Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson who was picked entirely for her ability to turn out Democratic base voters for Vincent Sheheen's plausible gubernatorial race-- took an unexpected twist this week. Unlike Graham, Scott has no primary opponent. Teabaggers are perfectly happy with his lockstep adherence to their reactionary agenda. He's good at that; he's been doing it for his entire political career. And Dickerson isn't a real threat. Now, however, he has a third opponent, Jill Bossi, a mainstream conservative running as an independent on the American Party, a bunch of centrist refugees from the GOP and a gaggle of far right Democrats.

The grandmotherly Bossi held down minor executive positions with Experian and Verizon and with the criminal bankster operation, Bank of America and worked for the American Red Cross as well. She announced her campaign in an e-mail Monday: “Enough is enough, it’s time to put an end to the political extremism and gridlock in Washington."

A political newcomer, Bossi told The State that she read about the American Party’s formation in South Carolina and was inspired by its platform promoting term limits, governing from the center, “stopping the growth of the political class,” holding candidates accountable and promoting global economic competitiveness.

Bossi said she chose to run for Scott’s seat in part because he was appointed to the Senate seat, has never run for statewide office, and has attracted few challengers. Bossi plans to file for the seat Friday.

The platform sounds a lot like what you would expect, inoffensive pablum from the disaffected Establishment wings of both Beltway parties… very reasonable sounding, like their stand on gun control:

Provide strong, unequivocal support for the Second Amendment-- coupled with responsible, reasonable regulations and programs. (e.g. strong, universal background check system and better mental health diagnosis and treatment.)

So who defines responsible and reasonable? Or how about their "stand" on tax policy?

Initiate comprehensive tax reform to acquire a simpler, fairer tax system that supports economic growth and encourages work, savings and investment.

Again, who defines "fairer?" The Koch brothers would define "fair" in a way that precludes billionaires from paying anything more than the change the tax collector finds stuck between the cushions of their couches. I would define fair as a progressive system that precludes the existence of billionaires, the way it was when Eisenhower was president. And where would Jill Bossi stand on that? We'll probably never find out.