Published May 6, 2005

Supporters want GOP caucus to pick Harrell

ROBERT W. DALTON, Staff Writer

COLUMBIA -- Supporters of Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bobby Harrell want to decide the race to replace David Wilkins as speaker of the state House of Representatives in the Republican caucus, taking the minority Democrats out of the equation in the process.

Harrell, R-Charleston, Speaker Pro Tem Doug Smith, R-Spartanburg, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia, are vying to replace Wilkins. President Bush has nominated Wilkins to be the next ambassador to Canada.

At a caucus meeting this week, which Harrison was unable to attend, Harrell's supporters pushed to keep the vote among Republicans.

Article Options

Post a comment on this article

Read comments

Email to a friend

Print this article

Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, proposed taking a vote as soon as next week.

"Politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum," Altman said. "We need to fill that vacuum with the understanding that Bobby is our nominee in waiting."

Rep. Bob Walker, R-Landrum, said he didn't like the tone of the meeting.

He said some of the comments made were not "proper," although he declined to say what those comments were.

"There's a segment of the caucus that is trying to influence their will over the caucus," Walker said. "I think we need to be fair to everyone, whether it's my candidate (Smith) or someone else's."

Smith said that the rush by Harrell's supporters left him in the "awkward position of defending one of my opponents (Harrison) who wasn't there."

"Those who were doing the talking really didn't care if he was there or not," Smith said.

Harrison said that there's no need to rush to a vote. There are four weeks remaining in the session, and Wilkins' confirmation could take several months.

"Part of the process is for people to request support from various members. There's no urgent need for the caucus to take any action," Harrison said.

Harrison said he doesn't think a caucus-only vote would guarantee a Harrell victory.

"I think his people think it would benefit him," Harrison said. "They might be surprised by the results of a secret caucus ballot."

For his part, Harrell said it doesn't matter who does the voting.

"I feel like I'm in good shape whether the vote is held in the caucus or on the floor," Harrell said. "Of course you never know until the vote is taken."

Altman agreed.

"I think either way the die is cast," Altman said. "We've got a lot of good counters and they all come to the same conclusion."

Harrell said the main task is to determine how to proceed so that all three candidates are playing by the same rules.

Rep. Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, the House minority leader and a Harrell supporter, said he didn't believe his party would be shut out of the process.

"If the Republicans did close ranks it would send the completely wrong message," Ott said.

"I don't think it would bode well for working relationships. The next speaker is going to be the speaker of the entire House, not just the Republican caucus."

Smith said he's trying to maintain his sense of humor in the midst of the intense race.

"As soon as one or both of them drop out, this will be a lot more fun," he said with a laugh.

Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7274 or bob.dalton@shj.com.