Confederate Flag Plays in South Carolina Politics
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Less than half of the candidates running for South Carolina governor say they would consider moving the Confederate flag that flies in front of the South Carolina Statehouse; none of the candidates say they would.
With a number of issues already facing the state of South Carolina, it may seem odd that candidates are taking time to consider the placement of a flag, but in South Carolina it is an issue that matters.
The candidates, all of whom are vying to replace term-limited Republican Governor Mark Sanford, shared their views over the weekend.
As the primaries near for Republican and Democratic candidates for South Carolina Governor, residents are beginning to pay more attention to what candidates are saying and that seems to include the Confederate flag.
Only Vincent Sheheen and Jim Rex suggested that they would entertain the idea of moving the flag from its current spot; neither candidate committed one way or the other.
The four Republicans – U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, state Rep. Nikki Haley and state Attorney General Henry McMaster – said they doubt there’s support to move the flag again.
While the current governor has expressed his support for the flag, there is still little consensus on the issue. The NAACP continues to boycott the state over the the flag and the NCAA refuses to hold tournaments in the state.
The flag has been in place since 2000 after a compromise by state lawmakers allowed it to be moved from the Statehouse to its current location beside a monument to Confederate soldiers.
Less than half of the candidates running for South Carolina governor say they would consider moving the Confederate flag that flies in front of the South Carolina Statehouse; none of the candidates say they would.
With a number of issues already facing the state of South Carolina, it may seem odd that candidates are taking time to consider the placement of a flag, but in South Carolina it is an issue that matters.
The candidates, all of whom are vying to replace term-limited Republican Governor Mark Sanford, shared their views over the weekend.
As the primaries near for Republican and Democratic candidates for South Carolina Governor, residents are beginning to pay more attention to what candidates are saying and that seems to include the Confederate flag.
Only Vincent Sheheen and Jim Rex suggested that they would entertain the idea of moving the flag from its current spot; neither candidate committed one way or the other.
The four Republicans – U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, state Rep. Nikki Haley and state Attorney General Henry McMaster – said they doubt there’s support to move the flag again.
While the current governor has expressed his support for the flag, there is still little consensus on the issue. The NAACP continues to boycott the state over the the flag and the NCAA refuses to hold tournaments in the state.
The flag has been in place since 2000 after a compromise by state lawmakers allowed it to be moved from the Statehouse to its current location beside a monument to Confederate soldiers.
Copyright 2010 The State Column, LLC
On The Web: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/2010/06/01/sc_governor_candidates_support_confederate_flag_7382.php