— Katon Dawson, chairman of the S.C. Republican Party, in announcing the state GOP has set May 15, 2007, as a debate date for Republican presidential hopefuls. Dawson said television networks already are proposing deals to air the debate, which will be held at USC’s Koger Center.

New Hampshire’s secretary of state isn’t going to take this Nevada-caucus-in-January deal sitting down.

When a Democratic National Committee panel voted last month to sandwich the Nevada event into its 2008 presidential nominating calendar between Iowa and New Hampshire, Granite State folk got all kinds of upset, according to an Associated Press report.

Secretary of State William Gardner said to protect New Hampshire’s hallowed position as No. 2 in primary season, he might schedule the New Hampshire primary for 2007.

With South Carolina slated to follow New Hampshire in the Dems’ schedule, Palmetto State Democrats surely are watching closely.

The Buzz can just see this playing out: Iowa gets ticked that New Hampshire leapfrogged it and moves its first-in-the-nation caucus to early December. Nevada, playing puppy to Iowa’s big dog, follows and squeezes itself between the two again.

Gardner furrows his brow and pulls the trigger again, putting New Hampshire’s primary on Thanksgiving.

Before you know it, the primaries will start next month.

Where’s it all end?

Happy Labor Day! And don’t forget to vote!

WASTING AWAY

Gov. Mark Sanford and a band of supporters braved triple-digit heat as the Republican incumbent picked up an endorsement last week from a Washington-based organization.

The Council of Citizens Against Government Waste gave Sanford its support at a Wednesday news conference outside the state mental hospital on Bull Street.

The location was chosen to symbolize Sanford’s work to save taxpayer dollars. He has supported selling the downtown Columbia property.

In other endorsement news, the S.C. Sierra Club said it has endorsed Sanford, Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Emile DeFelice, Democratic U.S. Rep. John Spratt and 1st District congressional candidate Randy Maatta, another Democrat.

Among Midlands state House races, the organization endorsed Laurie Funderburk, D-Kershaw; Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg; James Smith, D-Richland; Boyd Summers, D-Richland; John Scott, D-Richland; Joan Brady, R-Richland; Bill Cotty, R-Richland; Bakari Sellers, D-Bamberg; and Kit Spires, R-Lexington. All but Summers, Sellers and Spires are incumbents.

PAIRING UP

S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster is ready to go to court.

We think.

A mail piece from an organization supporting a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage features a photograph of McMaster along with this quote: “In less than 120 days, marriage will be ON TRIAL in South Carolina. I need your help NOW to win.”

While ready to go to court to defend the sanctity of male-female marriage only, McMaster’s office said the attorney general didn’t have the staff or time to defend the State Ethics Commission from a lawsuit brought by South Carolinians for Responsible Government.

FRATERNITY HONORS CLYBURN

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn’s college fraternity has awarded him its lifetime achievement award.

The Columbia Democrat pledged with Omega Psi Phi as a student at South Carolina State, becoming a full member in 1967.

The group cited Clyburn’s professional accomplishments and dedication to family, community, charitable and civic organizations.

“It is wonderful to be recognized by this brotherhood of men that I respect and admire,” Clyburn said.

WHAT THEY MAKE

Go to http://www.thestate.com/ for an updated, searchable list of salaries for state employees earning more than $50,000 a year.