Is Vice President Dick Cheney coming to Rock Hill?
A blog post on the Washington Post Web site says yes, as does a top
official with the S.C. Republican Party.
According to the washingtonpost.com politics blog "The Fix" and Scott
Malyerck, executive director of the S.C. Republican Party, Cheney is
scheduled to be in Rock Hill later this month to attend a fundraiser for
Ralph Norman, a state representative and Republican congressional
candidate. Norman is seeking to claim the 5th District seat in the U.S.
House of Representatives now held by Democrat John Spratt.
Malyerck told The Herald on Wednesday his understanding was that the
visit was set for March 17. But Jennifer Mayfield, a spokeswoman in
Cheney's office in Washington, would not confirm the visit.
"We don't have anything to announce," she said.
Nathan Hollifield, Norman's campaign manager, said he could not
comment.
"If the vice president's people don't have anything to announce at
this point, then we don't either," he said.
Norman himself also was tightlipped Wednesday.
"I can't comment either ... that's pretty much out of our control,"
he said of Cheney's schedule.
Robert Hopkins, district coordinator for Spratt's Rock Hill office,
said it is "not surprising" to see Cheney come to York County because
"the White House recruited Ralph Norman."
Norman, 52, a developer and first-term state legislator, was
recruited by top Republicans and is considered the party's best chance
to defeat the veteran Spratt, who party leaders say is vulnerable
because the district is becoming increasingly Republican.
But York County's top Democrat said Republican gaffes -- with Cheney
at the fore -- have eroded Republican popularity and support.
"The Republicans, with Cheney's leadership, have gotten us in a mess
in Iraq and in a mess with the budget deficit," said Jim Morton,
chairman of the York County Democratic Party. "The administration's
backing of Ralph Norman does not hurt John Spratt."
Spratt has held the 5th District seat since 1982. Malyerck said a
Cheney visit would show how important Spratt's seat is to Republicans.
"My guess is later this year we may see Air Force One land in South
Carolina somewhere," he said. "What it shows is the importance of this
race and how John Spratt is a key target for Republicans nationally."
Republican Park Gillespie of Clover is also seeking the nomination to
face Spratt.
Andrew Dys • 329-4065
adys@heraldonline.com
Jason Foster • 329-4066
jfoster@heraldonline.com
