SCHotline Press Releases

SCGOP’s Katon Dawson on the death of William F. Buckley

Chairman grateful for conservative leader’s work
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson today released the following statement on the death of conservative icon William F. Buckley:

“William F. Buckley was an intellectual giant who built the conservative movement and elevated it to the forefront of American politics.  South Carolina Republicans are deeply saddened to hear of his passing, but we are eternally grateful for his work.”

-###-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: ROB GODFREY

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007 (803) 988-8440

Chairman Katon Dawson welcomes back former Political Director, taps Gidley to run debate

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson today officially announced Jay W. Ragley as the Party’s new Executive Director. Ragley, who served as Political Director from 2003-2006, takes over for Hogan Gidley.

“We are thrilled to have Jay W. back on our team,” said Dawson. “He is an experienced political professional whose grassroots, organizational and communications expertise will help us ensure victory in 2008.”

Ragley will manage day-to-day operations of the Party, develop strategy and expand grassroots networks. He was South Carolina State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) from 2006-2007. Ragley is a former Legislative Assistant to Congressman J. Gresham Barrett and graduated from Clemson University with an economics degree in 2002.

“I am honored to once again have the opportunity to serve Chairman Dawson and Republicans across South Carolina at the most successful state Republican Party in the country,” said Ragley.

Dawson tapped Hogan Gidley as the new Executive Director of the South Carolina Republican Party Presidential Primary Task Force. Gidley will plan the 2008 South Carolina Republican Party Presidential Candidates Debate scheduled for Thursday, January 10, 2008, in Myrtle Beach. Gidley previously served as the Party’s Executive Director.

“We are excited to have Hogan planning our historic debate,” said Dawson. “He has truly been an asset to our Party, he has worked hard to organize our First-in-the-South Republican Presidential Primary, and he has helped us achieve great success.”

-###-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: ROB GODFREY

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2007 (803) 988-8440

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson issued the following statement after Hillary Clinton claimed in her visit to Aiken, “I am proud to say I have a lot of Republican support in South Carolina…”:

“Hillary Clinton is as popular among South Carolina Republicans as President Bush is among San Francisco liberals. Bill Clinton never carried our State, and Hillary certainly won’t carry South Carolina next November.”

-###-

Dawson: Clinton’s promises for “change” are wrong for South Carolina, America

SCGOP Chairman urges voters to challenge Clinton on her record

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson today released the following statement on Hillary Clinton’s South Carolina campaign visit  in which she plans to “organize for change”:

“Hillary Clinton is touting herself as the right candidate to change our country, but her idea of change is wrong for America – and wrong for South Carolina.  On the campaign trail, she has repeatedly promised to raise taxes, socialize medicine and surrender in Iraq.  In the U.S. Senate, her idea of change was voting to undercut our troops, saddle working families with higher taxes and fund abortions with federal dollars.  The change Hillary Clinton promises to bring proves she’s out of touch with voters across this State and across America.”

-###-

SCGOP Chairman says Democrats were never prepared to lead

COLUMBIA, S.C. – President George W. Bush today told the American people, “Congress is not getting its work done.”  The President addressed the American people from the White House after meeting with the Republican leadership of the U.S.  House of Representatives.

South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson today released the following statement on the failure of the Democrat-led Congress:

“When Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Jim Clyburn, John Spratt and the Washington Democrats took control of Congress in January, they assured the American people they were ‘ready to lead.’  But just 10 months later, their empty rhetoric of reform has resulted in a regrettable record of failure.

“Democrat inaction has left our troops without the resources they need to win the war on terror, and our children have been left without the tools they need to grow up healthy in safe homes and schools .  Clearly, the Democrats were never ‘ready to lead,’ and there’s no doubt that the Democrats’ abysmal record of failure will result in buyers’ remorse for American voters in 2008.”