Latest news with #PalmettoState
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Should SC lead off or bat clean-up in the Dem primary order? What Clyburn thinks
When the Democratic National Committee decides its presidential nominating contest order, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Santee, said all he wants is for South Carolina to be in the early primary window. Clyburn told reporters at his annual fish fry he's not concerned about South Carolina being the lead off contest, after the Democratic Party kicked off its 2024 presidential nominating process with the Palmetto State. 'I never asked for anything more than keep us in the pre-primary window which covers a whole month before the primary starts,' Clyburn said. 'So I think it's important to the party for that to be the case. Whether it be one, two, three or four, I don't care.' Clyburn, South Carolina's lone Democratic elected federal official, likened the primary order to a baseball batting lineup. 'The most important hitter on a baseball team, is clean up hitter. He comes in fourth place,' Clyburn said. 'And South Carolina has always been fourth, and we demonstrated how important being in fourth place was.' The Democratic National Committee is expected to reevaluate its presidential primary order after then-President Joe Biden said it should be looked at every four years. A decision on the 2028 order could come as soon as the end of 2026. Before 2024, South Carolina was the First in the South Presidential Primary for both the Republican and Democratic parties. Since the 1992 presidential race, the winner of the South Carolina Democratic nominating contest has historically gone on to be the nominee. The lone exceptions have been in 2004 when John Edwards won the primary, but ended up being the vice presidential running mate for John Kerry, and in 2024, when Vice President Kamala Harris replaced Biden shortly before the national convention. In 2020, Biden lost the first three nominating contests. But after receiving Clyburn's endorsement ahead the Palmetto State primary, Biden won South Carolina and went on to the nomination and the White House. New Hampshire has a state law that says it has to hold the first presidential primary in the country, but the Democratic Party opted to make South Carolina the first in its primary process at the wishes of Biden. Clyburn made his comments while speaking to the media shortly before appearing at his annual fish fry, an event that has become a must attend for potential presidential candidates. He was flanked by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2024, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Although the weekend was formally meant to elect party leadership for the next two years, it also served as a pep rally to energize party faithful and activists. 'Back in the 2000 election, when they decided to show us a red and blue map, and they defined and divided the country, and it got into people's heads and now they see a map and they say, oh, 'South Carolina, that's deep red.' Well, I beg to differ, this room doesn't look like it's deep red,' Walz said at the Blue Palmetto Dinner. Moore, seen as a potential 2028 candidate who insisted he wasn't thinking about a presidential campaign in three years, gave passionate remarks Friday night that resembled a presidential campaign stump speech. 'This is the moment for us to say together in one voice, gone are the days when the Democrats are the party of no and slow. We must be the party of yes and now,' Moore said. 'Gone are the days when we are the party of bureaucracy. Gone are the days when we are the party of multiyear studies on things that we already know. Gone are the days when we are the party of panels. Gone are the days when we are the party of college debate club rules. We must be the party of action, and that action must come now.' But he insisted he wasn't thinking about 2028. 'I've been very clear that first that no, I'm not running. But the thing I'm also very clear about is anyone who's talking about 2028 is not taking 2025 very seriously,' Moore said.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Should SC lead off or bat clean-up in the Dem primary order. What Clyburn thinks
When the Democratic National Committee decides its presidential nominating contest order, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Santee, said all he wants is for South Carolina to be in the early primary window. Clyburn told reporters at his annual fish fry he's not concerned about South Carolina being the lead off contest, after the Democratic Party kicked off its 2024 presidential nominating process with the Palmetto State. 'I never asked for anything more than keep us in the pre-primary window which covers a whole month before the primary starts,' Clyburn said. 'So I think it's important to the party for that to be the case. Whether it be one, two, three or four, I don't care.' Clyburn, South Carolina's lone Democratic elected federal official, likened the primary order to a baseball batting lineup. 'The most important hitter on a baseball team, is clean up hitter. He comes in fourth place,' Clyburn said. 'And South Carolina has always been fourth, and we demonstrated how important being in fourth place was.' The Democratic National Committee is expected to reevaluate its presidential primary order after then-President Joe Biden said it should be looked at every four years. A decision on the 2028 order could come as soon as the end of 2026. Before 2024, South Carolina was the First in the South Presidential Primary for both the Republican and Democratic parties. Since the 1992 presidential race, the winner of the South Carolina Democratic nominating contest has historically gone on to be the nominee. The lone exceptions have been in 2004 when John Edwards won the primary, but ended up being the vice presidential running mate for John Kerry, and in 2024, when Vice President Kamala Harris replaced Biden shortly before the national convention. In 2020, Biden lost the first three nominating contests. But after receiving Clyburn's endorsement ahead the Palmetto State primary, Biden won South Carolina and went on to the nomination and the White House. New Hampshire has a state law that says it has to hold the first presidential primary in the country, but the Democratic Party opted to make South Carolina the first in its primary process at the wishes of Biden. Clyburn made his comments while speaking to the media shortly before appearing at his annual fish fry, an event that has become a must attend for potential presidential candidates. He was flanked by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2024, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Although the weekend was formally meant to elect party leadership for the next two years, it also served as a pep rally to energize party faithful and activists. 'Back in the 2000 election, when they decided to show us a red and blue map, and they defined and divided the country, and it got into people's heads and now they see a map and they say, oh, 'South Carolina, that's deep red.' Well, I beg to differ, this room doesn't look like it's deep red,' Walz said at the Blue Palmetto Dinner. Moore, seen as a potential 2028 candidate who insisted he wasn't thinking about a presidential campaign in three years, gave passionate remarks Friday night that resembled a presidential campaign stump speech. 'This is the moment for us to say together in one voice, gone are the days when the Democrats are the party of no and slow. We must be the party of yes and now,' Moore said. 'Gone are the days when we are the party of bureaucracy. Gone are the days when we are the party of multiyear studies on things that we already know. Gone are the days when we are the party of panels. Gone are the days when we are the party of college debate club rules. We must be the party of action, and that action must come now.' But he insisted he wasn't thinking about 2028. 'I've been very clear that first that no, I'm not running. But the thing I'm also very clear about is anyone who's talking about 2028 is not taking 2025 very seriously,' Moore said.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
SC is now a hands-free state. What that means, what to know
South Carolina's new hands-free law is here and that means no more texting, scrolling or holding your phone while behind the wheel. Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act on May 12, marking a significant step toward enhancing road safety across the state. While this act does not take effect until Sept. 1, this legislation aims to reduce accidents caused by mobile device distractions, aligning South Carolina driving laws with over 30 other states. So before you buckle up and hit the gas, make sure your phone's out of sight. According to the latest available traffic collision data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there was a total of 143,426 traffic collisions reported across the state in 2022. The total number of collisions caused by distracted driving in South Carolina adds up to a total of 9,240 accidents. What about Beaufort County? In Beaufort County, 3,726 total traffic collisions were reported in 2022, with 877 accidents caused by distracted drivers, accounting for 23.5% of accidents. Distracted driving makes up one of the top three causes of accidents in Beaufort County, according to the SCDPS. While the Palmetto State has banned texting and driving since 2014, this new law prohibits drivers from using mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, with specific exceptions. A 'mobile electronic device' is defined as any portable electronic device capable of providing data or voice communication, including smartphones, tablets, GPS receivers, electronic games or other stand-alone devices. Under the law, drivers are not permitted to: Hold or support a mobile device with any part of their body. This does not prohibit the use of an earpiece or device worn on the wrist used for 'voice-based communication.' Use a mobile device to write, send or read text-based communications. Watch motion, including a video, movie, game or video call. Violating the provisions of the Hands-Free Act can result in the following penalties: First Offense: A fine of $100. Second or Subsequent Offenses: A fine of $200 and the addition of two points to the driver's license. The law takes effect on Sept. 1 to allow residents time to adjust to the new requirements and ensure compliance. During the first 180 days after the law takes effect, officers will only issue warnings for violations. Violations of this act are classified as summary offenses and do not lead to arrest unless the individual fails to appear in court or pay the imposed fine. While South Carolina is cracking down on distracted drivers, the Hands-Free Act includes several exceptions for the use of mobile devices. The exceptions include: Using a device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode. Using a mobile device to listen to audio-based content, such as navigation services, music or podcasts, provided the device is not held or supported by the driver. Using a mobile device to report a traffic accident, hazardous road conditions or a medical emergency. The law does not apply to law enforcement officers, firefighters or emergency medical services personnel while performing official duties. These exceptions are in place to ensure that the law does not impede necessary communication during emergencies or official duties. The SCDPS offers tips and guidelines to encourage and support drivers to avoid distractions of all kinds. These include: Put away your phone when behind the wheel. Avoid arguments and stressful or emotional conversations with passengers. Avoid eating while driving. Be sure children are properly and safely buckled up. Properly secure pets in a pet carrier or portable kennel. To learn more about the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, click here.
