Mick Mulvaney versus the Muppets

Last night during the South Carolina State Senate's budget debate, North Carolina businessman (and SC State Senator) Mick Mulvaney brought an interesting solution to the floor: eliminate ETV's state funding for an entire year. Thankfully, the amendment didn't pass. But if Mick Mulvaney had gotten his way, we wouldn't have just been without Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Kermit the Frog and Oscar the Grouch: South Carolina would have placed at risk the only news organization that offers full-time coverage of the SC House and Senate. Mick the Grouch Mulvaney, who sponsored a bill calling for transparency in Senate votes before refusing to defend it on the floor, has revealed himself as an opponent of the greatest tool for government transparency at South Carolina's disposal--SC ETV. While paving the way for even more and dirtier backroom deals may play well with Mulvaney's high-dollar contributors and the special interest PACs he depends on for campaign cash in his run against Congressman John Spratt, South Carolina deserves leaders with the courage of their convictions, not the conviction of their checkbooks. It's 2010. We can change things.

Jay Parmley
Executive Director
South Carolina Democratic Party