Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Updated 11:41 pm PDT, Saturday, April 6, 2019 FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2004 file photo, Sen. Ernest ''Fritz'' Hollings, D-S.C., who is retiring in January, addresses the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this image from video. Hollings, a moderate six-term Democrat who made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1984, has died. He was 97. Family spokesman Andy Brack says Hollings died early Saturday, April 6, 2019. less FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2004 file photo, Sen. Ernest ''Fritz'' Hollings, D-S.C., who is retiring in January, addresses the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this image from video. Hollings, a moderate ... more Photo: APTN, AP Photo: APTN, AP Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Image 1 of 8 FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2004 … [Read more...] about Ex-Sen Ernest ‘Fritz’ Hollings of South Carolina dies at 97
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Amid AG rumors, Gowdy says he’s still ‘heading to South Carolina’
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy downplayed speculation Wednesday that he could be the next attorney general, saying he would be willing to take a call from President Donald Trump but still plans to leave national politics."I think the capital is not in South Carolina, and I'm heading to South Carolina," said Gowdy, R-Spartanburg, who announced his decision in January to leave Congress.Several of Gowdy's allies on Capitol Hill, including U.S. Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham from his home state of South Carolina, have recently suggested he would be a good choice for Trump's next top law enforcement official after Jeff Sessions was forced out last week.Gowdy said he would at least be willing to hear out the president if he were contacted. The two have still never met or spoken before."Anytime a president calls and asks you to talk to him, the answer is 'yes,' " Gowdy said. "It was true of President Obama, it would be true of President Trump."For most of his final term in … [Read more...] about Amid AG rumors, Gowdy says he’s still ‘heading to South Carolina’
Gowdy downplays AG rumors, says he’s still ‘heading to South Carolina’
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy downplayed speculation Wednesday that he could be the next attorney general, saying he would be willing to take a call from President Donald Trump but still plans to leave national politics."I think the capital is not in South Carolina, and I'm heading to South Carolina," said Gowdy, R-Spartanburg, who announced his decision in January to leave Congress.Several of Gowdy's allies on Capitol Hill, including U.S. Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham from his home state of South Carolina, have recently suggested he would be a good choice for Trump's next top law enforcement official after Jeff Sessions was forced out last week.Gowdy said he would at least be willing to hear out the president if he were contacted. The two have still never met or spoken before."Anytime a president calls and asks you to talk to him, the answer is 'yes,' " Gowdy said. "It was true of President Obama, it would be true of President Trump."For most of his final term in … [Read more...] about Gowdy downplays AG rumors, says he’s still ‘heading to South Carolina’
Prospect of Jim Clyburn as House speaker ‘a game changer for South Carolina’
WASHINGTON — The path remains far from certain, but South Carolina Democrats are already giddy at the possibility that longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn could become the next speaker of the House.For now, Democrats insist they are focused on the November midterm elections. But the increasing chatter about Clyburn, who lives in Columbia, climbing to one of the nation's most influential roles has been hard to ignore."It would be the greatest thing in the world," S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson said. "It would really benefit the state of South Carolina from an economic perspective in a way that can't be overstated."Standing in Clyburn's way remains a series of obstacles.First, of course, Democrats have to win back the House majority, a proposition that polls suggest is increasingly likely but remains far from a sure thing.Then, current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., would need to fail to garner enough votes to retake the speakership herself. Pelosi has … [Read more...] about Prospect of Jim Clyburn as House speaker ‘a game changer for South Carolina’
South Carolina trade group CEO has a golf story to tell
With the PGA Championship underway in St. Louis this weekend, South Carolina golf fans are likely gazing ahead to 2021, when the event returns to Kiawah Island and the world-famous Ocean Course.Jay Karen is among them.Karen is fully invested in the game — and not just as an avid player and spectator. The South Carolina resident is CEO of the Daniel Island-based National Golf Course Owners Association. He's also chairman of We Are Golf, the national lobbying group that represents the game’s business interests on Capitol Hill on issues ranging from labor to taxes to the environment.“We have to be vigilant every year,” Karen said.Part of that vigilance, he said, is constantly “telling the industry’s story,” such as its estimated $84 billion impact on the U.S. economy.That includes convincing lawmakers that golf has mostly shed its elite roots, that it's no longer a pursuit reserved for the country-club set. Karen estimated that private … [Read more...] about South Carolina trade group CEO has a golf story to tell