Alvin Greene Nomination 'Breaks My Heart': DSCC Director

While the political world has been largely amused by the trials and tribulations of mercurial South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Alvin Greene, party operatives are full of angst about his saga.

A homeless veteran who managed to win the nomination without so much as any formal campaigning, Greene has distinguished himself almost exclusively for bizarre political histrionics (such as pitching a self-styled action figure as a form of economic stimulus). In the process, an already easy reelection campaign for his opponent, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), has become even more of a cakewalk.

To argue that Democrats could have given DeMint a scare if another candidate had won in Greene's place is to ignore the decidedly conservative political landscape within South Carolina.

But during a panel at Netroots Nation on Friday, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Executive Director J.B. Poersch made the case that the party could have used the election to certain advantages. At the very least, the DSCC could have brought DeMint -- who has emerged as a major player among the conservative base -- down a notch.

"That type of situation breaks my heart," Poersch said of the Greene nomination. "Because there are parts of SC where unemployment is 20 percent and Jim DeMint is currently getting off the hook. He considers himself as a Republican presidential candidate, that's how he is spending his time, and the state suffers as a result."

Poersch went on to note that the state party in South Carolina has looked into whether there were "illegalities" behind Greene's victory. But he concluded that there was really nothing the party could do at this juncture.

"We should have had a viable candidate," he said.

Comments

[guveqzero]

09:41 AM on 07/28/2010

When Republicans act differently, they don't get criticized. Why all the complaining about this guy? Take a good look at Angle or Palin for once.

[DrBlunt]

12:43 AM on 07/28/2010

If George Warmonger can become the POTUS, then I don't see any problem with this guy!

[Beowolf741]

06:15 AM on 07/27/2010

I'd like this to be a Joe Citizen becomes Senator story as much as anyone but Greene couldn't articulate himself enough to stay in the Army. DC requires a sharp and quick mind to navigate through all the challenges. I fear Mr. Greene will be somebody's lunch every hour of every day he is in Congress.

[spacemonkey086]

10:55 PM on 07/26/2010

proof that the system of political parties does not want it to be fair. they do not want main street to be in control.

[charlesdickens]

10:30 PM on 07/26/2010

Instead of putting Alvin Green down, why doesn't the "executive director" help him out. At least give the guy a chance. I'm annoyed at the superior attitude of the democratic committee on this.

[benren]

11:02 PM on 07/26/2010

"Instead of putting Alvin Green down, why doesn't the "executive director" help him out. At least give the guy a chance. I'm annoyed at the superior attitude of the democratic committee on this."

Right on - from your lips to God's ear.

[dl63]

01:48 AM on 07/27/2010

Because he's not a good candidate.

[OverseasVet]

08:59 PM on 07/26/2010

This guy is tea-party crazy.

[baz08]

07:08 PM on 07/26/2010

The Dems cannot find a contender! What's up with that? We need someone to talk about the Dem's platform. I absolutely hate the cult of personality!

[Hellinahandbag]

05:19 PM on 07/26/2010

box of rocks....

[Hellinahandbag]

05:19 PM on 07/26/2010

Greene is dumb as a box of walk and allows DeMint a land slide victory without the exposure he well deserves for not doing anything for the state of South Carolina. The plan was excuted perfectly and working out to his benefit. P.s. It will not work out to Democratic benefit. He's a lame duck- I mean donkey!

[ceelynncee]

06:19 PM on 07/26/2010

Say what? I really mean it...what did you say?

[Hellinahandbag]

06:50 PM on 07/26/2010

You heard me.....DUMB.....DONKEY as is A**

[amaboss52]

04:40 PM on 07/26/2010

I think Greene is a sight better than demented and no worse than anyone thats in there now. I'm willing to give him a chance, who knows it may work out to the Dem advantage.

[erglro]

04:37 PM on 07/26/2010

One good thing out of Greene's nomination is that despite the pushback from disloyal democratic party supporters (he won, get over it), it signals there is still some free choice in the election system. Election laws are still structured to prevent open contests (the two state-sanctioned parties still don't have to file all their paperwork like in Texas where neither McCain nor Obama remembered to), as independents have to fight just to get on a ballot.

Alvin Greene may not be a "viable" candidate, but at least he hasn't sold his country out to corporations...yet. Still much better than DeMint.

[hulagirrrl]

03:53 PM on 07/26/2010

I don't understand why people won't go and work with him. If he had people now to help him maybe it won't be so bad.
I also do not like the HP way of reporting on him, consistently reminding the reader that he had proposed a action figure doll of himself, so what, maybe he just has a strange sense of humor, then calling him homeless, he is living with his father. The media is working on eliminating him before election time. That is not fair at all.

[genmanager]

06:25 PM on 07/26/2010

I disagree. I think the media generally hasn't made too much of this story. Did you see the interviews Greene did with Keith Olbermann and others? I don't want to say "dolt" but, as someone who often brings up Sister Sarah's lightweight-dumb answers to questions from the media, she seems like a school teacher compared to what I've seen of him.

Sorry, but I think if he were a Republican, he'd be getting a bit more ridicule, and rightly so. No one can say that he was prepared to win, or even to Run and Campaign.

[OlongapoEd]

08:19 PM on 07/26/2010

You are absolutely right, but the desperately naive and the two-faced will obstinately insist that some good can come of this.

[ladydragon]

01:54 PM on 07/26/2010

Alvin Greene breaks your heart! Why? he's a damn site better than demint

[SpaceboySD]

01:51 PM on 07/26/2010

I blame Chris Hargensen, Billy Nolan, and Norma Watson for Greene's nomination.

"They're all gonna laugh at you."

[JestMe]

03:11 PM on 07/26/2010

No matter what happens in the south, the working class will remain screwed until the GOP is out of there. Greene is just a sample of what has happened to the southern Dems.

[MSlade]

12:41 PM on 07/26/2010

South Carolina ~ What the United States got in its failed deal with England to obtain the signing rights for the Bahamas. The results ~ 51st in ranking in education, more political crooks than the mob would allow, a lying, cheating, hiking, clown of a governor, and Jim Sourmint!
Historically, the first citizens of South Carolina were the original "Haitians of England". Not close to being positive contributors to society and thus, their one-way ticket on a boat to the new land. The great citizens of South Carolina are proud of their heritage and voting records. This is directly linked to their placement in education among the 50 states and Puerto Rico. Lets encourage them to leave the Union and replace this state with Puerto Rico.
The bottom line is that you should contribute in a positive manner to remain a state in these United States of America. It will also send a message to Texass, Georgia and Arizona!

[goodmarina]

01:39 PM on 07/26/2010

after reading your posting twice ... i realized that you are a modern day archie bunker!

"let's encourage them to leave the Union" ...what kind of cr@p is this? does this mean we also ship out Jim Demint?

and who decides the standard of "contributing in a positive manner"?

please don't send messages to Texas ... we have enough to deal with as it is ... why, with us Texans having a foolish gun-toting, australia-loving, God-caused-oil-spills for a governor who was elected with less than 40% of the votes. he wants to leave the union, too - for all the wrong reasons.

u r right about the lackluster standard in education in this nation ... and SC is in p!sspoor state. why don't u get a teaching degree and do something about it. better yet - volunteer at a community center that uplifts this "positive manner" in people.