It seems that South Carolina continues in its pursuit of national media attention for its politics. Philandering governors, Congressional representatives shouting inappropriately, comments of "raghead" aimed at women, and now Alvin Greene all speak to a desire to show off down-home goodness.
Honestly, I think Mr. Greene's campaign is interesting. And I think it far from the worst idea out there. There is something satisfying in someone who comes off as genuinely from "the people" seeking a seat in the government that, many years ago, was proclaimed to be "of the people by the people for the people."
And I am not at all surprised by the amount of flak that is growing up about this campaign. Aside from the usual issues of trolling in the comments attendant on the linked article (and in a couple of others I've glanced at), the question about his allegedly showing porn to a teenager is an obvious point of concern. However, until and unless it is proven to be a criminal act in a court of law, it remains only an accusation--and I hope that we are not in a place again where accusation is itself condemning. And as regards his refusal to comment on the matter: it's smart. Even if he did do what he is accused of doing, his not discussing it is smart; there is no way that Mr. Greene's talking about it will work to his benefit.
I am not now and never have been a resident of South Carolina. I do not vote there, so my own interest in Mr. Greene's candidacy is remote. But I do find it interesting that the party whose primary he won is not behind him; is not the point of party politics to put the party's candidate into office, regardless of who that candidate is? I can understand how keeping a moral and ethical high-ground is important in South Carolina at this point (particularly given the spectacular failures in that regard of "the party of family values" in that state), and so being sure of a candidate's ethical and moral rectitude matters.
But.
The race is not waiting for the investigation to be concluded. And like any race, it needs to be won.
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