Hmmm. I’m Sure This Means Something.

OK, I’m not quite sure what Representative Jeff Duncan (R-Laurens) is measuring in this picture while he was talking to Representative Dan Cooper (R-Piedmont), but it’s a funny visual.

Anyway, Dan Hoover from The Greenville News wrote another piece about the Upstate’s diminishing political influence.

NOTE: I’m really getting tired of reporters/columnists/pundits using the Upstate’s lower rate of elected officials in committee and legislative leadership positions. Folks, shouldn’t the ultimate goal be to elect the best candidates we can? Why should incumbent legislators be sacred cows that shouldn’t be challenged?

I just can’t believe that nobody picked up on one of the comments in Hoover’s piece. I’m sure this means something.

“Thank goodness for Dan Cooper; if not for him the Upstate would have very little clout right now,” says Kevin Mertens, the Greenville County Democratic chairman.”

– Bo Burdette

UPDATE: It seems I’m not the only one fired up by this attitude. One of the House’s resident rockstars agrees. Representative Nathan Ballentine (who believes a little differently than a bunch of other incumbents) wrote that power by a long-time officeholder isn’t the answer for moving “our state forward.” That’s right.