Thursday, Jul. 29, 2010

Rival camps rip each other's fundraisers

Sheheen will work the Washington scene; McMaster will attend event for Haley

Gubernatorial candidates Vincent Sheheen and Nikki Haley will both work donors at scheduled fundraisers today, drawing snipes from rivals.

Haley, a Republican, will hold a Columbia fundraiser at the home of former S.C. GOP chairman Katon Dawson, while Sheheen, a Democrat, will be at the Washington, D.C., offices of S.C.-based law firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough with members of the state’s congressional delegation.

Republicans noted Sheheen’s appearance with U.S. Reps. James Clyburn and John Spratt, members of the U.S. House’s Democratic leadership team. Democrats noted S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster — who is barred by state law from raising money for other candidates — will attend the Haley event.

State Ethics Commission officials said they saw no problem with McMaster attending Haley’s fundraiser.

The S.C. GOP pointed out Sheheen supported South Carolina’s $700 million share of a federal stimulus bill, attempting to tie Sheheen to federal policies unpopular in the Palmetto State.

“We need a governor who will stand up to Washington’s intrusion into our lives and wallets,” S.C. GOP chairwoman Karen Floyd said in a statement, “not one who will embrace its liberal elitism.”

Former S.C. Democratic Party chairman Dick Harpootlian said the D.C. fundraiser will be attended by “South Carolinians and people with South Carolina ties.”

“There are a lot of people in D.C. who have an interest in South Carolina,” Harpootlian said. “Because of (Gov.) Mark Sanford’s economic policies, there’s no money left here and there’s plenty of people in D.C. who can write a check.”

Harpootlian said the invitation to Haley’s event listed McMaster as a “special guest,” something Harpootlian was barred from doing when he served as Richland and Kershaw counties’ solicitor.

According to state law, “the following persons personally may not solicit, verbally or in writing, a contribution to a candidate . . . the attorney general, a deputy attorney general, an assistant attorney general or an investigator in the attorney general’s office.”

State Ethics Commission attorney Cathy Hazelwood said McMaster may not directly ask guests for money, but said the event does not violate state law because McMaster is not hosting the event. “If he’s a ‘special guest,’ I don’t think it’s a violation,” Hazelwood said.

McMaster said current and past attorneys general offices have interpreted the law to agree with Hazelwood’s interpretation.

“We’ve been doing it this way for years,” McMaster said. “We are very particular about that.”

Harpootlian disagreed. “That is the most twisted interpretation,” he said. “You are supposed to disengage from the process.”

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