SC Chamber of Commerce gubernatorial endorsements

[True Federalist]

(link - The State)

The chamber endorsed State Senator Sheheen (D) and U.S. Representative Barrett (R) in theor respective gubernatorial primaries.  I do like the McMaster campaign's quick response that was mentioned in the article:

McMaster's campaign responded to the endorsement, noting that Chamber members who work for financial institutions "owe a special debt of gratitude" to Barrett for his 2008 vote in favor of the Troubled Asset Relief Program bank rescue bill.

That bailout vote is likely to continue hurting Barrett, just as it is hurting Rep. Inglis in his 4th District race. Inglis has a credible primary opponent in 7th Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy, who is running about even with Inglis in the fund-raising battle and has a chance of unseating him.

[Frihet]

Do you support McMaster Ernest? I never really saw him as a very impressing individual. He didn't really seem to take his job as Attorney General very seriously. He didn't really take on many relevant cases as Attorney General. His only real positive qualities are really name recognition, and not being Andre Bauer.

[True Federalist]

Do you support McMaster Ernest?

Not being Andre Bauer means a lot for me, as I've despised him politically since the days when I had the misfortune of having him as my State Senator. Given the current polling numbers, I'd likely vote for Barrett to help keep Bauer out of the runoff, and then vote for McMaster in the runoff.  Without tactical voting considerations, I'd be voting Haley.  If Bauer's campaign were to collapse there's a remote chance I'd vote in the Democratic primary for Sheheen, but not likely, as any county races here in Lexington County will be decided by the Republican primary.

[VP Duke]

I'm solidly in the Haley camp right now. I haven't seen any polls to know how she is doing, but I think shed make a good governor if elected. I expect it will be McMaster or Bauer though. I just hope it isn't Bauer.

[True Federalist]

I expect that the best Bauer can hope for is to come in first in the primary but not by enough to avoid a run-off, then have the Barrett, Haley, and McMaster supporters coalesce around whoever he faces in the run-off, sort of like what happened with Beasley in 2004 Senate primary. Bauer has too much baggage, and his recent ranting is unlikely to help (tho it may boost the number of votes he gets in the first round).  I expect that the Democrats are hoping they end up facing Bauer, but I doubt they'll be so fortunate.