5 Things That Happened In SC Politics The Past Two Weeks: T-Rav, Taxis, And Top Men

We enjoyed our week off.

1. Exuding "Southern Charm"

Is there anyone who so perfectly embodies what these Buzzfeed posts are all about more than Thomas Ravenel?

You should all be familiar with his story by now: Ravenel was an up-and-coming Republican who was forced out as State Treasurer after a cocaine indictment, conviction, and prison sentence. He then spent a few years out of politics, resurfacing every so often to give his opinions on the day's issues.

He then somehow turned that in to a successful reality show about himself and friends partying and rolling in the Charleston hay. During that time, he had his license suspended for a DWI in New York (while on a trip to play polo in the Hamptons. Yes, seriously).

Now he's running for U.S. Senate after submitting more than 16,000 signatures to the State Election Commission on Monday...

That picture looks like a media circus. And, it was, we confess. At one point Ravenel and his campaign manager walked past the TV cameras... and thus unintentionally past the Election Commission offices, prompting a slow turnaround and another trip past the cameras.

Ravenel then had some trouble opening the door while carrying the tub of signatures. So he walked back into the hallway and tried again more successfully for the media's benefit --- prompting mutterings about "journalistic ethics" from a few reporters.

Ravenel made a short speech and told the reporters he wouldn't take questions afterwards. But a shouted question from Jack Kuenzie of WIS asking why voters should "trust him" changed the candidate's mind.

After answering "just the one" question (in short: clients I deal with in my real estate business believe I'm trustworthy), Ravenel then walked off -- with about a half-dozen microphones still attached to his collar. That prompted a second slow turnaround and awkward "Hey, how are you doing?" to the reporters who wanted their mics back.

Likely to his campaign manager's chagrin, Ravenel then changed his mind and decided he would answer all questions from reporters. Political blogger (and former editor at The State newspaper) Brad Warthen recorded the exchanges after that...

2. "Listen to my story 'bout a man named 'Rav'"

One of the questions Ravenel answered repeatedly on Monday was whether or not he would return to his reality show "Southern Charm" if it was renewed for a second season.

"T-Rav" said he was feeling heavy pressure from the network and his co-stars, but added he felt his campaign was more important. So -- no -- he would not.

Fast-forward literally 24 hours: Ravenel's campaign sent out an email saying Ravenel had changed his mind (we're noticing a pattern here) once it was announced the show would return for Year Two. "It doesn't make sense to turn down a platform that enables you to spread your ideas to a bigger, more diverse audience," he said in an email. "If America is ever going to turn things around, we've got to get rid of this notion that cookie cutter politicians with their blemish-free backgrounds are the way to go."

So, expect more of this in the future:

3. Wishful thinking, perhaps?

stream1.gifsoup.com

Shortly after Ravenel announced he would be returning to "Southern Charm," another plot twist soon developed. The Associated Press, a news agency which contributes content to practically every media outlet in South Carolina, mistakenly sent a wire script to TV and radio stations stating that Ravenel was dropping out of the race. The story led with the sentence, "One day, he's in -- the next day, he's out."

The political blog Fitsnews (which makes no secret about being in the tank for Ravenel) first noted the problem, posting an email from a Myrtle Beach TV producer questioning if the wire story was accurate. It wasn't.

To South Carolina Radio Network's knowledge, no news outlet actually reported the incorrect story. But that didn't stop Ravenel's campaign from claiming it was "a carefully orchestrated hoax intended to plant seeds of doubt." Ravenel's spokesman even hinted (but didn't state outright) that Ravenel's November opponent Sen. Lindsey Graham was behind the false report.

It's hard to deny that GOP leaders were at least hoping the story was true...

4. Taxi!!!

cdn.makeagif.com

The ridesharing service Uber began operating in four South Carolina cities last week. Essentially, a person uses the uberX app on their smartphone or tablet to request a ride. Once they do, a nearby "independent freelance driver" will pick that person up for a fee.

Notice we didn't call them a "taxi." Uber wants to make it very clear that it is NOT a taxi -- and there's a reason for that. South Carolina has strict regulations for taxis. Cars must pass a safety inspection, drivers must clear a criminal background check, and drivers must carry comprehensive car insurance, to name a few.

The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff insists Uber is totally a taxi service, even going so far as to call Uber "illegal" under its current business model. The state Public Service Commission will hold a hearing next month.

Since South Carolina Radio Network's studios are smack in the middle of downtown Columbia, we're all for safe drivers. After all, we're walkin' here!

5. Someday, this will all be yours...

i.imgur.com

For the first time, the state of South Carolina now has a complete inventory of all the buildings and land that it owns.

Gov. Nikki Haley issued an executive order last October that required all state agencies to compile the list. As a result, state agencies spent the past seven months tracking everything down.

stream1.gifsoup.com

When it was all over, we learned that South Carolina owns or leases over 7,800 buildings and more than 2,500 pieces of land. Earlier this week, Gov. Haley said the list will help those agencies decide how they can best use the property.

Of course, knowing how bureaucracy works in this state, the report is likely being examined by top men.

Top. Men.