This summer I’m working the politically-engaged ropes. Speaking mostly with groups (large and small) that are already politically oriented. (Bring me to your group here.) While there’s a large percentage of us who are just swimming, floating, drowning, and bathing in political discourse, there is also a large percentage of “normies” or regular folks whose engagement level is likely to stay low until next year. I’m leaving them to their blissful sans-politics summer existence albeit maybe luring them with these blog posts.
I had the pleasure of addressing the Carolina Republican Coalition at Henry’s on Market Street in Charleston. This is a monthly meet-up called 5@5 and on July 7th it included Mark Lynch and me as featured speakers. Lynch is a Republican, entering the race via primary. I am not a Republican, something I made clear a couple of times. Mostly in thanking them for asking me to their meeting and allowing me equal time with one of their own.
I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with the Carolina Republican Coalition. The invite came to me by way of a chance encounter with one of the group members on vacation in Florida. Any chance to speak with and learn from voters is fun.
The session began with prepared speeches. I was allotted 20 minutes; I used four. Mark Lynch spoke for about seventeen. Then we stood side-by-side while questions were read off submitted index cards. Here are some highlights:
Can a Libertarian run in the Republican primary?
No, not unless they became a Republican. I am not a Republican. So you will have your primary, and Lindsey Graham will be in that, among others. The Democrats will also have a primary, likely in June of next year. Libertarians don’t have a primary. We nominate by convention which will be held in May of 2026. I’ll be waiting for your nominee in the General Election.
Do you think cousins ought to be allowed to marry?
Really not sure where this question came from, but I answered it. First by explaining that my husband and I are distant cousins by marriage so, sure, if it’s consenting adults without biological risks, have at it. Also added that we should rethink the divorce industry, tax advantages, and marriage as a government-sponsored contract. I got an, “Amen to that,” reply from someone standing behind me.
President Trump endorsed Lindsey Graham, what makes you think you’re a better candidate than the one that Trump picked?
Lynch went after Graham in his response, saying that Lindsey hadn’t done anything for South Carolina and here I actually defended Senator Graham and said, in fact, for every $1 SC pays to the federal government, we receive $3.25. That’s not an accident. That’s Senator Graham. I added, President Trump is a Republican, which I am not. So I don’t expect to receive his endorsement. I think I’m a good candidate because I’m not part of the two major parties. I’m not going to have to do what they tell me. I won’t be bought.
What leadership skills do you have that you think will make you a good Senator?
I have a PhD in leadership, so there’s that. My best leadership skill, though, is listening. I ask good questions and seek first to understand. I’ve been the State Committee Chair for the SCLP and I run a tight meeting. I keep people from rambling on and on and on and on. Afterwards, someone approached me and asked if I was ever a Toastmaster. When I grinned and said ‘yes’ he replied, “It shows.”
How will you fill the role Lindsey Graham has filled as a close ally to Israel?
To my knowledge, Senator Graham doesn’t have an official capacity in which he serves Israel. If he does not win reelection, I feel confident he will still be engaged with Prime Minister Netanyahu in some capacity. It’s a close friendship. I don’t see filling that role as part of the job description for a South Carolina Senator. While I will be glad to forge close alliances and friendships with our diplomatic allies, I expect to navigate that in my own way.
What’s your stand on the Middle East?
I think we ought to stay out of it. Decades of US Presidents and Secretaries of State have been lured to the Middle East conflict like moths to flame. As if solving it would be some pinnacle of diplomacy. I’m not chasing a Nobel Peace Prize. In terms of foreign policy, I am usually in the “stay out of it” camp.
How would you reform healthcare?
Free markets, specifically in insurance. We should repeal some of the prohibitive licensing and regulations that empower a few large payers and leave others out of the market. Why can’t you bundle your health insurance with your home and auto? We have some archaic structure there that needs to be repealed. We just got rid of Certificate of Need in South Carolina but healthcare is chock full of similar protectionist policies. They should all be revisited and revised. I should have also added that we ought to decouple healthcare from employment. We have a spending problem in healthcare and the wrong parties are driving the pricing.
What committees do you want to serve on?
I want to be wherever Rand Paul is. Homeland Security and Government Affairs, for sure. This got a few folks clapping.
Overall, the trip was worth it, the people were cordial, and though I didn’t get as many hands when I asked, “How many of you think our government is broken?” as I expected, I could sense some discomfort in the room. People in these politically-engaged groups want to do something. Some of them just aren’t sure what to do.
I encouraged the people at 5@5 to consider doing something different. Choosing something that would guarantee change. I suggested they vote for an independent candidate. But I may have to revisit them after their primaries deliver the expected replay.
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