Bush taps Wilkins as diplomat

ROBERT W. DALTON, Staff Writer

COLUMBIA -- President Bush has nominated state House Speaker David Wilkins to be the next ambassador to Canada, the White House announced Wednesday night.

Wilkins, R-Greenville, has served in the House since 1981 and became speaker after Republicans gained the majority in 1994.

He will replace Paul Cellucci, who resigned last month as ambassador to the United States' largest trading partner to enter private enterprise.

"First and foremost, I thank President Bush for his confidence in nominating me for this important post," Wilkins said. "I am deeply honored by his nomination."

Wilkins, 57, was one of Bush's leading fund-raisers in both of his presidential campaigns. Bush offered Wilkins a spot as ambassador to Chile in 2001, but Wilkins said the timing wasn't right.

Wilkins said he would continue to serve as speaker until his confirmation by the U.S. Senate. That process takes about four to six months, almost guaranteeing that Wilkins will be in Columbia for the final five weeks of the session.

The announcement clears the decks for a three-way battle among Speaker Pro Tem Doug Smith, R-Spartanburg; Ways and Means Chairman Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston; and Judiciary Chairman Jim Harrison, R-Columbia.

Smith would be the first speaker from Spartanburg since former Supreme Court Justice Bruce Littlejohn in the 1940s. The speaker lays the groundwork for the direction of the House, and is considered one of the most powerful positions in state government.

Smith, who has served as pro tem for five years, said he's happy that Wilkins is receiving this opportunity.

"I've worked side by side with him almost since my first day here," Smith said. "He's been a good mentor, role model and friend."

Rep. Lanny Littlejohn, R-Pacolet, has served with Wilkins for 17 years. He remembers fighting alongside Wilkins when Republicans were in the minority.

"We were 38 strong in 1988," said Littlejohn, who said Wilkins would be a tough act to follow. "We fought and scratched for everything we could get."

Rep. Brenda Lee, D-Spartanburg, said Wilkins always made taking care of the people's business his top priority. She said he treated the Democrats fairly even though he was a Republican speaker in a Republican-dominated House.

The race to be the next speaker, which has been in high gear ever since rumors of Wilkins' departure hit about a month ago, now will shift into overdrive.

Smith said he thinks the race is about even right now, with all three candidates holding about 40 votes.

"Whoever wins is going to have some big shoes to fill," Smith said. "It's never easy to follow a leader like David Wilkins, but somebody has to do it."

Lee said that while she believed all three would perform well, it was crucial for Smith to be elected to maintain the balance of power in the Legislature. Sanford and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell are both from the Lowcountry, as is Harrell.

"I can't imagine any of the candidates not being fair, but if Representative Harrell becomes speaker then those of us from the Upstate didn't do our job," Lee said. "The Upstate is where the growth and the industry is."

Wilkins said he wouldn't favor any of the candidates.

"All three are qualified, and all three are good friends of mine," he said.

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