I started as a SC State Senate page when I was 19 years old. I’ve spent the last 11 years around the statehouse in some for or fashion, and in that time, I’ve never seen a conference circus like I saw this week. A grandstanding special interest diva in a short skirt and expensive high heals, campaign cameras and lapel stickers were the scene. 200 “concerned” South Carolinians hooted and hollered as at least one speaker showed the most disrespect I’ve ever seen in the Senate. For all purposes, it was a circus, a press rally put on by a special interest group to have good commercial footage.

And then there’s the SC Policy Council. They attack Boeing for taking tax dollars while thriving as a 501(c)3. They are forbid from lobbying, yet that’s all they do. They demand transparency while disclosing neither their donors nor their expenditures.

I’m a big boy. I get it. I do this for a living. But what’s frustrating is that when the President Pro Tempore of the Senate asks each visitor to help him create a true transparency change, five brave soles show up. SC Policy Council President Ashley Landess refuses to show while sending two low level staffers with a Flip Cam. State Senator Larry Martin showed up early to talk to visitors and while he expected a full room, he found anything but.

The SC Policy Council says they don’t lobby for specific legislation. They are careful to include a disclaimer on each email stating, “nothing in the foregoing should be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder passage of any legislation.” They show up with a room full of people when a piece of legislation is in front of the committee, but fail to show up when a real rule change is being drafted. This isn’t about the issue. It’s about politics…plain and simple. Now that’s transparency.

I speak for the SC Senate Republican Caucus on a daily basis. Today I speak for myself. President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell has already told you that he isn’t letting Representative Haley’s bill pass the Senate because he believes its unconstitutional. He will however create a rule change that demands as close to 100% voting transparency as he can get.

So what are you looking for? Are you a conservative looking for transparency or are you just looking at attending a party and yelling at your elected officials.

Last week Senator McConnell clearly stated, “please come and help me create this rule.” I know government frustrates you. I know you feel put out and angry. Hell, I’m pissed off too. That’s why I challenge you to stand up and take Senator McConnell’s offer.

Vincent Sheheen isn’t a scary fellow. And that makes him scary. He isn’t the most liberal legislator in Columbia and truthfully, he’s an incredibly nice guy. Smart as hell and the ladies say he’s hot too. Yeah, I’m telling you…you better get scared. Just read what the editorial boards are already saying about him.

While we concentrate on ripping each other apart in the primary, as we typically do, we better all start thinking about November. I don’t think a Governor Sheheen would thrust ulta-liberal policies on our state for one good reason – a young Democrat who shocks the nation with a win in South Carolina will be looking at the Presidency. That guy can’t be stupid enough to go to the far left. He also can’t be trusted not to if his political ambitions are the only thing keeping him from doing so.

He won’t hold down spending like a Republican Governor. He probably won’t try to restructure our antiquated system of government or demand spending caps. But that’s not the real scary part. This Governor will have veto power over our next redistricting plans. That’s what should freak you out.

I spent last weekend in the most boring redistricting conference you could ever imagine and I left convinced that there is absolutely nothing more important than putting a Republican back in the Governor’s mansion. Chances are that we are going to get a seventh congressional district. With extreme growth on the coast and a rapid exodus from rural areas, our Senate and House districts will be altered a great deal. Will our next Congressman be a Democrat or a Republican? Will those changes in the legislature swing conservative or liberal?

This is huge deal that will affect South Carolina for a long time to come. We must not have a Democrat in the Governor’s Office. As we enter the last month of the gubernatorial campaign, the relatively quiet campaigns will ultimately become very nasty. As activists, I hope you’ll remember that there is a general election and the Democrats will have a candidate who is scary because he isn’t so scary. Bloody our candidate up a little, but don’t beat him or her into a pulp.

Well, not me. That would be Tony Stark. I’m not rich enough or smart enough to make such a badass suit. I’m just Wesley Donehue, an overactive political operative who likes to drink beer and play with any gadget that gets him closer to the USS Enterprise.

You’ve seen Iron Man, right? Don’t you love at the end when Tony Stark is like “screw it, I’m going to tell the world who I am?”

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about politics and I figured I’d share right here on my blog. Being in politics is a lot like being a celebrity. Yeah, that’s a cocky thing to say, but its true. Well, except for the money and fame parts. Basically, it’s just all the bad stuff.

Brad Pitt can’t do anything without being critiqued. Every move, every outfit, every word, its all published on the web or in one of those grocery store trash magazines. The same is true in politics. This is nothing new, as our public officials have always been, and always should be, under the microscope. But the Internet has created a new level where every operative and activist has been put under that same microscope.

I’m called a RINO because I like working for a few moderate Republicans who have great hearts and truly want to see South Carolina families succeed. I’m called a Tea Party right wing freak because I share Jim DeMint’s view on the issues. I’m called a lot of things, but right now I’m not even really thinking about me. I’m thinking about the profession as a whole. It’s always been mean spirited, but with all the amazing things that come with being connected over the Internet, a platform has been created that throws gasoline on the anger fires.

You don’t have to look far past Justin Evan’s little “South Carolina Republican Party Discussion Group” on Facebook to see what I’m talking about.

Here’s another example. I actually had a guy call one of my clients recently and demand that I be fired because I curse too much. Yeah, seriously? Well guess what dude, that’s me. As Spock said in The Voyage Home I use “colorful language.” And yeah Fogle, I do have a Star Trek costume. I like to ball out and have fun. I don’t make fun of you for getting drunk and draping yourself in a confederate flag. Props to you for doing your thing. I’ll be me. You be you.

I don’t have to do LSD and pretend I’m some other band to rock my work. You don’t either. You can be you. Don’t hide in a closet. Come on out. And when people criticize you just be like Tony Stark. Man up and tell everyone who you are. Because they’re someone too and they’re too scared to show you. Life’s way too short to hide.

And for the critics who blast you on the Internet when you’re working your butt off to do great things? Well, they’re already showing you who they are…lazy clowns. They lack the ability and/or drive to rock faces off so they’re going to do everything they can to tear you down. Do what you’re supposed to do to clowns. Laugh at them.

With the launch of Donehue Direct, I’m going to quit using this blog and concentrate on building the new business site. Please check me out at www.donehuedirect.com/blog for new daily videos.

I’m going to start concentrate a lot more on strategy, so you won’t want to miss it.

That’s www.donehuedirect.com/blog.

Take it easy,

Wesley

You asked for it. Here it is.

After playing with the iPad for over 48 hours, here are my thoughts.

My adventure to get an iPad on the morning of its big release. Long lines? Am I too late?

Sorry folks…no Happy Hour today. In leaving Under The Power Lines, I lost most of my equipment. However, I’ve ordered a whole bunch of new toys and they’re slowing trickling in.

Nothing too important…just a little life update.

I guess the cat is out of the bag. Yes, I am making a profesional change.

Just a quick life update. It’s a busy friggin’ week.