BRACK: Time to think more deeply about state’s 2018 leaders

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  |   News that President-elect Donald Trump is considering S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley and Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster for prominent roles in his administration highlights how we need to start thinking now about who we want to lead South Carolina in the future.

With the 2016 elections over, Haley is considered a lame duck as her second term as governor ends in two years.  As a rising minority star in the Republican party, it’s natural that Trump’s team would look for a big role for Haley, who met Thursday with Trump for what was called “a good discussion,” by a spokesman.  “She is very encouraged about the coming administration and the new direction it will bring to Washington.”

But is Haley a real possibility to be the nation’s secretary of state when people like former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney also are said to be in the running?  Probably not, as Haley wasn’t a big supporter of Trump’s throughout the long campaign – and even criticized him at times.  Add to that her lack of foreign policy experience and it’s unlikely that she’ll make the final cut.  But then again, we didn’t think Trump would win, so what do we know?

Whenever a new administration assembles its cabinet, there are dozens of party operatives from across the country who are put on lists to fill various slots.  By a recent count, more than 50 people are listed as possibilities to head 10 of the nation’s 15 federal cabinet posts.  This is done for purely political reasons – to create big headlines in loyal states to make voters feel good, create positive local headlines and boost the profile of leading members of the victorious party.

Haley

While Haley’s name being circulated for a national role may be surprising to some, talk of McMaster was being considered to be the nation’s attorney general had a lot more potential – even though Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions was tapped for that role late last week.  McMaster, a former state attorney general and longtime party insider, was one of the first national leaders to endorse Trump and has been firmly in his camp since January after U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., dropped out of the presidential race.

Last week, McMaster, who gave an introductory speech for Trump at the GOP presidential convention, told Statehouse Report that he felt Trump was special early on when he attracted thousands of people at rallies.  “I knew this was going to be a really tough contest, and that not only was Trump the best candidate, he was the only candidate that could win the tough challengers,” including beating Hillary Clinton, he said.

If asked to serve in the Trump administration in some capacity, McMaster will have a tough choice himself.  His standing as a leading candidate for governor has gone up exponentially because of his relationship with Trump.  But if he heads to Washington, he won’t have the time to run for governor, leaving his longtime dream to be governor to other candidates.

McMaster

If he leaves, then there would be a struggle in the state Senate because the president pro tempore ascends to become lieutenant governor.  But just as Sen. John Courson of Columbia resigned as president pro tempore a few years back so he wouldn’t have to be lieutenant governor, so would the current pro tem, Sen. Hugh Leatherman, often considered the state’s most powerful politician because of his role as head of the Senate Finance Committee.

And if Haley and McMaster headed to Washington before 2018, the question of who would become governor would get even more complex.

It’s fairly obvious the national GOP wants a major role for the ambitious Haley at some point.  Maybe it would be as Ambassador to India.  Or could it come as a result of another possibility if newly-elected U.S. Sen. Tim Scott teams in 2018 with U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy of the Upstate to run for governor and lieutenant governor?  Scott, you might remember, became a senator after being appointed by Haley.  If he won, would he return the favor and appoint her to fill his seat?

The political possibilities seem almost endless, which makes it even more important for the state to think now about its future political leaders.

• Have a comment?  Send to:  editor@charlestoncurrents.com