Joe Lieberman for President, Inc.
Senator Joe Lieberman announced his presidential campaign and filed
papers with the FEC establishing his presidential campaign committee on
January 13, 2003. Craig T. Smith is national campaign director and
senior advisor.
Joe Lieberman for President, Inc. South
Carolina Leadership
Campaign Headquarters: 2231 Devine Street, Suite 202, Columbia
(announced August 8, 2003)
State Director |
Barry Butler |
(from June 2003, announced Aug.
8, 2003) Directed the Oklahoma Coordinated Campaign in 2002.
Graduate of North Carolina Central University.
Political Director |
Carleton Atkinson |
(announced April 13, 2003)
Most recently served as state GOTV co-director for the North Carolina Democratic
Party in 2002. Previously state field director on Erskine Bowles
for U.S. Senate campaign. Served as a policy advisor to the Office
of the North Carolina Lieutenant Governor. Law degree from North
Carolina Central University School of Law (2000).
Press Secretary |
Stacie Paxton |
(announced October 20, 2003)
Paxton last served as the CNN senior publicist where she managed publicity
for the network's anchors, correspondents and programs including Crossfire,
Wolf Blitzer Reports and Inside Politics. Prior to that, she served
as the press secretary to U.S. Representative Lois Capps on Capps' campaign
and congressional office.
Field Coordinators-Community
and College Outreach
(announced October 31, 2003) |
|
Julia Franklin - (previously
in the Iowa office) 2003 graduate of Yale University.
Toby Friesen - (previously
in the Iowa office) 2003 graduate of the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
Key Supporters:
State Rep. James
Battle, D-Nichols (Dist. No. 57, Marion Co.) ...April
13, 2003
State Rep. Joe Brown, D-Columbia
(Dist. No. 73, Richland Co.) ...Jan. 23, 2004
had backed Gephardt
State Rep. Mack
Hines, D-Florence (Dist. No. 59, Florence & Marion Cos.)
...April
13, 2003
State Rep. Doug
Jennings, D-Bennettsville (Dist. No. 54, Chesterfield & Marlboro
Cos.) ...Jan. 2003
State Rep. Joel
Lourie, D-Columbia (Dist. No. 78, Richland Co.)
...Jan. 2003
State Rep. John
Scott, D-Columbia (Dist. No. 78, Richland Co.)
...Jan. 2003
State Rep. Fletcher
Smith, D-Greenville (Dist. No. 23, Greenville Co.)
...Jan. 2003
Travis
Medlock, former South Carolina Attorney General ...April
13, 2003
Saluda County Councilman
Sherman Lott ...Jan .2004
McCormick County Democratic
Party Chairman Ken Puckett ...Jan
.2004
Columbia attorneys Richard
and Belinda Gergel >
...Jan. 2003
Gary Quick - McColl Mayor
Marvin Stevenson - Marion
County Councilmember
Jim Solomon - former Department
of Social Services Director Charleston Police Chief
Reuben Greenberg - Charleston
Police Chief
Rev. Victor Walker of Greenville
Rev. Robert Dennis of Simpsonville
Rev. Alfonso Porter of Summerville
and
The State (Columbia)
(02/01/04)>
Greenville News (02/01/04)>
The State's Lee Bandy
reported the initial endorsements in a January 2003 article (they were
given to Bandy at his request; there was no formal announcement or event).
|
Here's a Dec. 12, 2003 summary from the Lieberman campaign:
JOE LIEBERMAN'S STRENGTH
IN SOUTH CAROLINA
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KEYS TO VICTORY: FAITH,
CIVIL RIGHTS, INDEPENDENT-MINDED DEMS
* Joe Lieberman will
do well in South Carolina's February 3 primary because of his lifelong
commitment to civil rights, connection with voters of strong faith, strength
on defense in a state with a large military presence, and profile as an
independent-minded Democrat.
* The SC primary is
also open to independent voters, among whom Joe does well.
* "Lieberman seems
best poised to capitalize on the conservative political climate in South
Carolina," wrote leading SC political columnist Lee Bandy of The State.
"He's a self-proclaimed moderate with strong pro-business views and an
outspoken supporter of traditional values, all of which resonate well with
state voters."
* ABC News reported,
"Lieberman's more conservative brand of Democratic values is right at home
in South Carolina, where people tend to be pro-military and defense and
very religious. Coming out of the church, member Charles Sullivan said
of Lieberman, 'I think he knows what people like us need -- whether you're
black or white.'"
POLLS: IN AN UNFORMED
RACE, AT THE HEAD OF THE PACK
* The race in SC is
very much up for grabs with "Undecided" having a 17-point lead on any one
candidate. According to the most recent Zogby poll, Joe is in a statistical
tie for first with Dean and Clark, and he has been consistently at the
top of the pack.
STRONG IN-STATE PRESENCE
* Joe has spent 14
days in SC this year -- more than Dean, Gephardt, Clark or Kerry.
* In a state that
has experienced severe manufacturing job losses, Joe was the first candidate
to unveil a comprehensive manufacturing renewal plan.
ENDORSEMENTS: STATE
LEGISLATORS, PASTORS
* Joe has picked up
more endorsements from state legislators than any other candidate besides
native son John Edwards, including Reps. Doug Jennings, John Scott, Jim
Battle, Joel Laurie, Mack Hines, and Fletcher Smith. Lieberman has
also won the backing of former Attorney General Travis Medlock, former
Department of Social Services Director Jim Solomon, McColl Mayor Gary Quick,
and Charleston Police Chief Reuben Greenberg, among others.
* Joe's also earned
endorsements from influential pastors, including Rev. Victor Walker of
Greenville, Rev. Robert Dennis of Simpsonville, and Rev. Alfonso Porter
of Summerville.
COMMITMENT TO CIVIL
RIGHTS, BRIDGING RACIAL LINES
* "[Lieberman] would
be attractive to a lot of South Carolinians," said Furman University professor
Jim Guth, told The State. "He has the potential to bridge blacks with whites.
There's something for everyone
in Lieberman. That's
his real strength."
* African Americans
will make up about half of voters in the Democratic primary, and Joe has
campaigned widely in the state's African-American communities.
He has been particularly well received at
his visits to churches.
* Typical of that
response is Mullins resident Peggie Troy, who said, "he spoke of our fight
and is sensitive to the needs of minorities. I felt there was a true connection,"
and Rev. Mack Hines, who said "seldom do you hear of a presidential candidate
stopping at a black church. He's very sensitive to us as a people, and
that's the kind
of president we need."
* Joe's commitment
goes beyond talk into action. After visiting Allen University and
Benedict College, two historically black colleges in Columbia, Lieberman
worked with Rep. James Clyburn to secure $50 million to restore their historic
buildings. |