After the disappointment of Carol Tempel losing to Tea Party youngster Peter McCoy, and my anger at voters who don't listen, really listen, to the issues and realize what is at stake, I got to thinking about what Carol really accomplished.
First of all, she was not allowed to run as a Democrat due to some well-designed fine print which kept many good people off their party's ballot. She decided that it would be wrong to let this House seat go uncontested. Carol decided that the people in her district had a right to hear the issues and debate over her opponent's record and his plans for the future.
On the ballot, she was not only unable to run as a Democrat, she was unable to run as a Green Party or Working Families fusion candidate.
Further, the SC House of Representatives may not be doing much for their constituents, but they were able to successfully tackle redistricting, to assure incumbent re-election. The district that Carol ran with was bizarre and schizophrenic, and it accomplished its purpose. It divided the James Island community, and gave Peter McCoy the advantage by adding white, pro-big-business, pro-tax-cut voters.
Still, Carol managed to get the endorsement of the Post and Courier, quite a feat for a third party candidate.
And she may not have won the election, but she forced McCoy out into the open.
She worked tirelessly, and I believe she accomplished what she set out to do. She got people in House 115 to hear the candidates, and two sides of the issues.
The fact that over 4,700 people voted for Carol is proof that she was heard.
It was an amazing race, and Carol's loss is truly our loss. But we should all thank her for what she has done for her community.
First of all, she was not allowed to run as a Democrat due to some well-designed fine print which kept many good people off their party's ballot. She decided that it would be wrong to let this House seat go uncontested. Carol decided that the people in her district had a right to hear the issues and debate over her opponent's record and his plans for the future.
On the ballot, she was not only unable to run as a Democrat, she was unable to run as a Green Party or Working Families fusion candidate.
Further, the SC House of Representatives may not be doing much for their constituents, but they were able to successfully tackle redistricting, to assure incumbent re-election. The district that Carol ran with was bizarre and schizophrenic, and it accomplished its purpose. It divided the James Island community, and gave Peter McCoy the advantage by adding white, pro-big-business, pro-tax-cut voters.
Still, Carol managed to get the endorsement of the Post and Courier, quite a feat for a third party candidate.
And she may not have won the election, but she forced McCoy out into the open.
She worked tirelessly, and I believe she accomplished what she set out to do. She got people in House 115 to hear the candidates, and two sides of the issues.
The fact that over 4,700 people voted for Carol is proof that she was heard.
It was an amazing race, and Carol's loss is truly our loss. But we should all thank her for what she has done for her community.
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