Soapbox SuperChat
August 2, 2019: COLUMBIA, SC – On a muggy night in the Capital City, approximately 800 supporters and their guests dressed to the nines, and gathered at the Metropolitan Convention Center for the 52nd Annual SC GOP Silver Elephant Gala. The ballroom was adorned with original works of art, breezy silk banners alight in red and blue with white linens and tables set with fresh red roses and baby’s breath. State Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick served as Master of Ceremonies, which included: an Invocation, Presentation of The United States and South Carolina Colors, National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, and The South Carolina GOP Creed (See full text, below). It is worth noting that former U.S. Congressman and Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford was in attendance, surrounded by a large group of loyalists, having their picture made with him. This bunch forgives: as well they should. What “Appalachian Trail?”
A cocktail reception kicked off the festivities at 6:00 p.m. Formal seating and dinner began promptly at 7:00 p.m. House lights flashed off and on for reception stragglers as they rushed for refills. The open bar closed down for ceremonies and reopened for dancing with music provided by The Recollections Band, a seven-piece group whose repertoire features Beach Music and lively classic tunes fit for salt-air nostalgia and barefoot Shag, the official state dance.
After a light salad with blueberries and tomatoes, smothered chicken breast over mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans with yeast rolls and butter, two delicious desserts: frosted chocolate layer cake and pecan pie rounded out dinner. Coffee was served and iced tea/water glasses were topped off regularly. (All a very good way to prepare the body and mind for possible hot-air from the lectern.) The A/C was set very low, and ladies donned their wraps or husbands’ jackets.
Jaw-Drop! After making fast friends at the dinner table, a lady asked, “Do you follow Q”?
Fortunately, Master of Ceremonies and State Chairman Drew McKissick, (looking dapper in a tuxedo and perfectly styled hair with a 20’s Jazz vibe) led with inspiring news for the SCGOP which included a brief statement on the power of the Party:
“In last year’s election, we not only kept every statewide Constitutional office in Republican hands, but we maintained our State House majority, made gains in county courthouses across our state and more than doubled the number of Republican absentee ballots cast statewide. In addition, we beat Democrats on straight-ticket voting for only the second time in history – this time by an incredible eight points!”
Governor Henry McMaster gave a pep-talk reminder of South Carolina’s strong turn-out in the 2016 Presidential Primary, first in the South, to begin the groundswell of support for Donald J. Trump. The Governor spoke of the state’s small geographic size relative to a dense population that wields much influence on a national scale. President Trump and Governor McMaster’s relationship is solid MAGA. McMaster was the first statewide elected official to endorse Donald J. Trump. https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/24/trump-south-carolina-mcmaster-667182
United States Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the evening’s most anticipated guest speakers, fresh from a vote for Veterans’ Health Care in D.C.- spoke factually and diplomatically about the gains of an entire country being attributed to the presidency of one and only Donald J. Trump. Graham reminded an eager audience of where the country would be now had the election gone the other way. Cheers and applause, hoots and hollers filled the room. The well-known rift between the President and Senator Graham has been mended. Graham’s fight for Bret Kavanaugh’s confirmation to SCOTUS helped. Senator Graham added, “I like Trump and Trump likes Trump and YOU like Trump!” (Laughter) Graham seems to have no doubt – the man in the Oval Office is supposed to be there and should stay. As he introduced the keynote speaker, he added, “This is the man who helps keep the President in line every day in the White House!”
The Honorable Mick Mulvaney A lifelong South Carolinian, Mulvaney pursued his education at Georgetown, graduating with high honors and earning the college’s highest award dedicated to students in foreign service. His degree is in International Economics, Commerce and Finance. Mulvaney obtained his law degree at UNC Chapel Hill and completed certification at Harvard Business school’s Owner/President Management program.
Within the current administration, Mulvaney has worn many hats. Prior to his appointment as Acting Chief of Staff to the Whitehouse, he served as the Director of Office of Management and Budget, and Acting Director for the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Mulvaney was South Carolina’s U.S. Congressman from the 5th district, beginning in 2010. Over time, Mulvaney has been a rabid slash and burn budget-conscious super-conservative. The Acting Chief told stories about how hard it is to trim down a bloated government when it is next to impossible to fire federal employees in D.C. Mulvaney implemented a plan to eliminate certain redundancies in D.C. by moving jobs to unpopular places, where federal agencies are under-represented. Genius. His first day at the Bureau of Consumer Protection, formerly the CFPB, Mulvaney brought everyone doughnuts and began the ‘restructuring’, as Elizabeth Warren ginned up a protest in the street below. A keynote speaker who has been mistaken for even less familiar officials by the likes of FOX NEWS, (shown on a jumbo screen) Mulvaney is a name and a face well worth remembering. Mulvaney has assisted Trump with massive deregulation, cutting 16 regulations for every one implemented. See economic highlights youtu.be/7jteBch8Y
“Be Young, Be Foolish and Be Happy” got folks out on the dance floor, as the open bar resumed service and people took selfies with candidates and friends. Exchange of business cards, email addresses and cell numbers among new friends and connections will further prosperity for those who follow-up. Getting business out of the way is always a relief, no matter how good the news is.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN CREED (Silver Elephant 2019 Bulletin)
I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon. If I can seek opportunity, not security, I want to take the calculated risk to dream and build, to fail and succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for dole. I prefer the challenges of life to guaranteed security, the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence, nor my dignity for a handout.
I will never cower before any master, save my God. (Emphasis mine)
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid. To think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations; to face the whole world boldly and say, ” I am a free American.”
