It has been exactly one year since the announcement! Another great day in the upstate. I started going door to door today and had a great discussion about aging issues with 84 yo Ms. Lois Maret (in her living room). Productive ($) meetings with donors in Anderson and great interview with the Newspaper in Seneca. Momentum continues to build.
SCGOP over the weekend
March 1st, 2010Great speaking to the SC GOP executive committee meeting Saturday. What incredible support from the GOP County Chairmen and Ex. Com. Afterwards, I drove upstate to spend time with Susan and the kids “away from it all”. Good time to catch up on kids homework and take Susan on a date.
Greenville Tea Party, One Year Later
February 22nd, 2010About this time last year, I spoke at the very first TEA Party in the history of South Carolina. I was just back from Afghanistan and spoke to thousands in Greenville. I was so motivated by the movement to bring our state and nation back to the Constitution and the GOP back to true conservative values.
Spears and the Guard
February 16th, 2010Great visit with the South Carolina National Guard today. The senior leadership gave me a good update about Guard issues to consider as Lt. Governor.
New TV Ad
February 14th, 2010I am really proud of the new ad. Thanks to the guys who put it together. Check it out – it’s on the Multimedia page!
Midlands Day
February 11th, 2010Great day visiting with Midlands senior citizen groups. In particular, wonderful Bible Study luncheon with Kay Mac and a number of Pastors and senior Citizens in Columbia. Much work to be done to help streamline the office on aging and make it even better.
Finished up with the Cedar Creek precinct organization in Aiken, talking about economic development (not just industrial development) and the importance of not raising taxes.
Big news tomorrow – check back!
Point of sale reform and a Midlands Meet
February 10th, 2010Good news for the SC economy. Legislature has passed a bill offering relief from the unfair “Point of Sale” tax on real estate. In 2010, 2nd homebuyers will be completely excepted from POS taxes. After 2010, they receive a 20% tax exemption. I believe we should end POS permanently, but this is a good start.
Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Bob Murray and Midlands Business leader Bill Dukes are two of my honored guests for tonight’s Columbia Fundraiser (5:30-7:30pm, 1021 Briargate Circle, Col). Ralph Taylor, Pres/CEO of SC 1st Choice Mortgage, is putting on this event and I am looking [...]
Greenville Monday
February 2nd, 2010Spent a great day in Greenville. Started with meetings, then attended the “First Monday” luncheon. Had a wonderful time speaking to the many Republicans attending (support for the campaign is overwhelming). Finished the day at the Greenville GOP Executive Committee meeting. Again, chance to speak with dedidated GOP and Tea Party activists.
SCACS and Sun City
January 29th, 2010I believe tax hikes are never the right answer (whether voted in by council/legislature or pushed onto voters by referendum). As President Reagan used to say “More government is not the answer to the problem, more government is the problem.”
God Bless Tim Tebow
January 27th, 2010God bless Tim Tebow and his family for standing up for the unborn. A pro-life commercial during the Super Bowl seen by untold millions!! Predictably, the ultra-Liberal National Organization for Women is attempting to squelch the ad. Everyone say a prayer that this commercial runs and that many babies might be saved as a result.
Radio, meetings, Richland GOP
January 26th, 2010Had various meetings, a radio interview with The Citadel Broadcasting Network, and many fundraising calls. Stopped in to the Richland GOP meeting this evening before heading to lead a Bible study at the Asbury Church.
Weekend Review
January 25th, 2010Saturday, I had a great time speaking to a “standing room only” crowd of Conservatives in North Myrtle Beach. This was mostly Republicans of the North Myrtle Beach GOP club, but many from other various conservative groups like Fair Tax and TEA Party. Then I went on a date with Susan upon our return to Orangeburg.
On Sunday, we heard a message on John 12:24,25: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and [...]
Great night at Spartanburg debate
January 22nd, 2010We had a great time at the Spartanburg debate Thursday night. A question came up about who we supported during the 2008 Presidential primary…I only know I could not have supported the pro-choice candidate (Giuliani).
(T&D) Connor: People don’t need professional politicos to lead them
January 20th, 2010“Overall, we have got to get rid of the idea that we need professional politicians to lead us as people,” Connor said.
He described himself as an “outsider (politician) coming in” who wants to “do things with a fresh perspective.”
Moultrie News: Bill Connor says people come first
January 20th, 2010If elected as Lt. Governor, Bill Connor said that he knows that the ‘people come first.’ Republican Connor believes that he is up for the job as the right hand man to support the governor.
Pro-Life Rally and No-New Tax Pledge
January 18th, 2010On Saturday, I attended (and sponsored) the March for Life rally. I was particularly proud to have taken my son, Will. This is the second year in a row I took my son to this pro-life event, as I am trying to instill in my children the passion to protect the unborn.
As the campaign moves forward, I want all my supporters to know about a special commitment of mine. I signed the “No Tax Pledge. If I’m elected I will never vote to raise taxes or support that effort. More importantly, I also pledge I will not support efforts to put tax hikes on a ballot measure.
Signs
January 14th, 2010If you haven’t got a sign yet – be sure to call Joshua Gross at 803.467.4945! They’re going fast – we have thousands of them up all over the state already. Special thanks to Jim, Roy, Tim, Jimbo, TJ, Ashby and others for getting them around the state!
Now I’m off to the American Legion Post 6 to talk about my Afghan experience.
Realtor lunch today
January 13th, 2010Good day of visits with leaders in the state, including lunch with Legislators and leaders in the Realtor Association. I commend these Realtors for their efforts to end the “Point of Sale” tax, which is so damaging to our economy. Tonight will be a night away from campaigning and taking Susan on a date!!!
BIPEC, the SCGOP, and Larry Grooms
January 13th, 2010Had a great day at the BIPEC Annual meeting and a great night at the GOP Legislative Delegation gathering. In between speaking to our business and Republican leaders, I was interviewed by a conservative talk radio show in the upstate. Should be an interesting and busy five months before the primary.
Drill weekend
January 11th, 2010I find military drill weekends rewarding: in uniform teaching motivated young Majors about ways to better lead soldiers and save lives in combat (knowing most will deploy soon to Iraq/Afghanistan).
GN: Protect South Carolina from Cap and Trade
January 9th, 2010There’s a lot of talk out of Washington that the recession is over, that the economy is turning around, and all is right with the world.
Unfortunately that’s not the case — at least here in South Carolina — and through “cap and trade” legislation, Congress’ work would make our situation worse by implementing the single largest middle class tax increase in our nation’s history and placing undue burdens and regulations on business and industry.
Great Open House
January 8th, 2010Great “Open House” event at our campaign HQ in West Columbia. Friends/Supporters came from the upstate, lowcountry, and midlands. It was encouraging to see the motivation of so many supporters throughout the state. Motivation to bring “core conservative” ideals to our state government and end the reign of career politicians.
Send off
January 7th, 2010Yesterday, I attended the “Send Off” ceremony for soldiers mobilizing to Afghanistan. It’s always wonderful to be around those willing to put their lives on the line for others. The ceremony was held in the same place as when I returned from Afghanistan over a year ago. I remember seeing Susan and our children after 15 months. I am incredibly thankful to be back alive. Let’s all pray all return to their families.
Twenty Great Years
January 6th, 2010Tonight, Susan and I went out on a date to celebrate: Tomorrow is Susan’s birthday. Additionally, tomorrow is the twentieth anniversary of the night I asked Susan to be my wife and she said “Yes!” (in the middle of the Gazebo on the battery in Charleston while I was a senior cadet at The Citadel). What a wonderful twenty years and many more. I am quite blessed.
January 4th
January 5th, 2010I want to start by wishing Henry Brown God’s Speed as he plans retirement after many years of service.
Today, I had a great time visiting with Greenville Republicans at the “First Monday” luncheon. Speaker Bobby Harrell delivered the address and answered insightful questions. Spoke with many others, including Ambassador Wilkins. Then went to the Lexignton GOP executive committee meeting. Great folks all over the state today!
T&D Flashback: Funeral at Arlington for a fallen hero
January 5th, 2010Early Monday morning, November 17, I drove to Arlington cemetery, Washington DC for a funeral of a friend killed in Iraq. His name was LTC Chad Buehren, a Citadel Graduate and career Army Officer. He was killed during the rocket attack on the Baghdad hotel when Deputy Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz visited Iraq. Chad left behind a wife, two sons and many friends. In honoring his death, I learned something about a life of service to others.
New Years Thoughts
December 31st, 2009It’s amazing to think about this past year: When I first announced for Lt. Governor, only months after returning from Afghanistan, most political “insiders” did not give me the slightest chance of being a credible candidate. I was the ultimate “outsider”; a professional military officer who had never run for office…Amazingly as we finish the New Year, by most objective accounts I am now in the lead.
T&D Flashback: A letter to my son before deploying
December 30th, 2009Most parents deploying to combat write some kind of letter to their children. This is partly to give the child a bit of advice and direction during the long deployment away…
T&D Flashback: In Defense of Christmas
December 29th, 2009The defense of Christmas didn’t start with Bill O’Reilly or John Gibson, but with the passion of the American people. Average Americans, trying to raise their children against the assaults of the Left, finally decided to make a stand and fight back. The defense of Christmas became a crucial symbolic battle for the soul of American culture.
T&D Flashback: Remembering Christmas in the War Zone
December 28th, 2009With so many members of the military fighting for our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Christmas season, it is critical we make a special effort to remember the troops and their families.
T&D Flashback: The value of higher education
December 18th, 2009One of the most important reasons for success of the military in the recent operations is the Officer professional education system. It was not the equipment, but the educated officers and Non-commissioned officers that make our military so successful. Military officers spent up to a third of their career in professional and civilian education. They start with undergraduate civilian degrees, and attain a master’s degrees by the time they are Lieutenant Colonels. Professional military education also takes place throughout an officer’s career. Officers spent their first year in basic officer schools. At the four-year point in their career, officers spend seven months in a career course. This is what I taught. When officers reach the rank of Major, many spend a year in Command and General Staff School. Five to six years later, those leaders will spend a year in War College.
T&D Flashback: Children are the future of SC
December 18th, 2009In meeting all the wonderful teachers, parents and students, I felt passionate about volunteering to help in any way possible. From my association with OCA and learning about other such schools, I decided to donate all my profits from a book I wrote (“Articles From War”) to low-tuition Christian schools.
T&D Flashback: Keep “Under God” in the Pledge
December 17th, 2009The philosophical foundations of our Constitutional liberties, the liberties that allow them to speak their piece, come from the idea that we are one Nation “Under God”.
T&D Flashback: How to control our “Out of Control” Courts
December 17th, 2009In Bill Powell’s excellent letter in the Sunday Times and Democrat he asks a crucial question. I will paraphrase his primary concern: “What can the hard-working, non-lawyer citizen do to stop leftist US courts from replacing the will of the majority.” Most Americans agree with the “out of control” court problem, yet feel helpless to bring positive change. As I have written many articles decrying the problem, I will attempt to give answer to this concern.
To begin with, let’s summarize the issue. In the last 40 years the Federal Courts have decided the most critical questions in American society: Abortion, [...]
Thinking about Christmas
December 17th, 2009Thinking about the amazing love of God in Jesus Christ. God became lowly man (with all the pain and humiliation involved) to eventually suffer on the cross as the sacrifice for those who put saving faith in Jesus. It is so easy, in all the business of this season, to forget the wonder we celebrate.
T&D flashback: The Constitution, Our Anchor
December 16th, 2009Constitutional “rights” can only derive from that given expressly by the Constitution. Otherwise, the people must form a super-majority to amend the Constitution. Constitutional protections are meant to be absolutely essential. The Constitutional “right” to abortion is not in that category.
Happy Veterans Day!
November 11th, 2009I want to thank the veterans who came out in the cold rain (on last minute notice!) to support my candidacy today. Of particular note was Col. Bill Calhoun who works at Sweeney Wingate Barrow. Col. Calhoun went to West Point with my father and they were both in attendance the day Douglas MacArthur gave his famous “Duty, Honor, Country” speech. Additionally, Col. Calhoun’s father was at West Point in the 1930s at the same time as my grandfather, Brig. Gen. William Connor. Almost 30 years ago, Col. Calhoun and I lived at West Point, while my father taught history. [...]
Signed the No-Tax Pledge
October 27th, 2009I was honored to sign the “No Tax Pledge” today at the HQ of the SC Taxpayers Association. It is my firm belief we must stop the out-of-control growth of our Federal and State governments. A couple years ago, I gave my word I would volunteer to deploy to Afghanistan to defend the Constitution and Freedom. I will keep my word in this tax pledge for the same reasons. Then had a wonderful evening. Kim Sanchez hosted a Fundraiser at the Rosalia’s Restaurant. I was honored to have three county party chairmen (all endorsing my candidacy) in attendance. So many, [...]
Weekend juggling the campaign trail and drill
October 19th, 2009I got up Saturday at 4:30 am to make the trip to Beaufort. Had a wonderful time speaking to the fine ladies of the SC GOP before heading back to Orangeburg. I did the “superman” change into my uniform to head to military drill in Columbia. It is great teaching such a wonderful group of dedicated Majors. Many are just back from Iraq or Afghanistan or getting ready to deploy. Being with those in uniform and away from politics is always a nice change. It helps remind me of the price to be for political decision-making and why we [...]
Pickens, Oconee, and Anderson
October 15th, 2009Great day and night in the Upstate. I visited with a number of GOP and Christian leaders in Anderson, then drove to Oconee. There I had lunch with Col. Ed Rumsey (former Chairman of the Oconee GOP). I got to meet with the editorial staff of the local paper and other GOP activists. Finished the day speaking with the Pickens GOP in Liberty. Overwhelming support there!
Sola Fide,
Bill
