More ‘Inappropriate’ Stuff in S.C. UPDATE: Larry Marchant Claimed 2008 One-Night Stand With Nikki Haley! UPDATE: Video; Bauer ‘Desperate’?

Posted on | June 2, 2010 | 33 Comments

8:55 p.m. ET: John O’Connor is covering the gubernatorial debate tonight in South Carolina and Tweets:

Haley to Bauer: “Y’all were fishing the story last night and you didn’t fire him yesterday.” Only fired when no one took story seriously

8:10 p.m. ET: Haley campaign statement to WLTX-TV in Columbia, S.C.:

“This is a false and outrageous desperate attack from a losing candidate’s campaign consultant in the final week of the race.”

11:15 p.m. ET: A longer version of Jim Davenport’s AP story includes this useful information:

Bauer had paid Marchant’s Black Label Strategies $21,361 since he formally opened his campaign account for governor in October. He also paid Black Label $29,099 in 2009, according to campaign finance reports.

And the Columbia (S.C.) State reports:

Folks, Marchant and Bauer have had business relationships. Long-time Bauer advisor Rod Shealy hired Folks in 2006 to work for former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel’s campaign. Folks said Wednesday that Marchant also hired him to work on school-choice issues but that work ended in 2005.
The political ties between Folks and Marchant make their claims tougher to believe, said Winthrop University political scientist Scott Huffmon. . . .
“More names with no more proof is certainly going to make it look like Nikki Haley is under attack,” Huffmon said. “It’s probably going to end up, in the mind of the public, needing a higher level of proof.
“What we have irrefutable evidence of in South Carolina is political incest.”

Melissa Clouthier comments:

Nikki Haley has a family; and her family, her children, hear these stories. These political operatives show an absolute callous disregard for her life. A friend of mine mentioned the deep misogyny involved here and that Will Folks, in particular, has a history of misogyny and objectification of women in both his writing and his actions.
Where are the feminists? Oh right, she’s a Republican.

Dan Riehl wonders if this is some kind of political pornography.

6:54 p.m. ET: Jim Davenport of the Associated Press:

A lobbyist who resigned from a rival political campaign is claiming to have had a tryst with a South Carolina lawmaker trying to become the state’s first female governor. . . .
Marchant says their one-night stand happened in 2008 during a trip to Utah.

7:20 p.m. ET: OK, as readers might guess, this was the “very interesting report” I’d heard earlier about Larry Marchant’s resignation from the Andre Bauer campaign: Marchant had gone to media outlets telling them this story and, when Bauer found out about it, Marchant got the ax.

We’ll wait to see how this plays out, but frankly it looks to me as if Haley’s enemies have become desperate to destroy her. It seems to me that voters in South Carolina now must ask themselves which of two things was true: Either (a) Haley was just spreadin’ the love around to every GOP operative in South Carolina, or (b) she is the victim of a vicious smear campaign.

My guess is that they’ll believe (b).

7:45 p.m. ET: A South Carolina reader sends me this photo:

According to the reader, this shows Bauer’s campaign bus parked in front of Larry Marchant’s office at 4 p.m. Wednesday — four hours after Marchant supposedly resigned from the campaign.

Say this about South Carolina Republicans: They’re world champions at campaign shenanigans.

7:55 p.m. ET: In December, Larry Marchant was busted for DUI. Of course, just because he’s a drunk driver doesn’t mean he’s the kind of backstabbing scumbag who would lie about shagging a Republican gubernatorial candidate, but . . .

8:50 p.m. ET: Allahpundit:

At this point I half-hope that all these charges against her are true, just because that’d actually be less depressing than the thought of this many lying scumbags running around South Carolina smearing innocent people.

PREVIOUSLY: Dare we suspect this is connected to the Folks-Haley saga? Oh, yes, we do. We do dare indeed!

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Andre Bauer said today he has asked for and received the resignation of a political consultant for “inappropriate conduct” but would say little more.
Lt. Gov. Bauer announced that adviser Larry Marchant gave him his resignation at noon today.
Bauer said he had become aware of a situation several days ago, and reached the conclusion that decisive action was dictated.

Astute readers will recall when it was first suggested those close to the Bauer campaign had a role in pushing the Folks allegations against Nikki Haley. It was a commenter who pointed me to one connection, and now the same source blogs:

Evidently the connections we made here and here are started to get some heads rolling.

Of course, we don’t know that Marchant was involved, but absent any other explanation, the shadow of suspicion now looms.

UPDATE: Traffic indicates renewed interest today in the Jake Knotts/Rod Shealy connection to the Bauer campaign, and remember that it was Will Folks himself who wrote in March:

Bauer is currently being advised by longtime confidant Rod Shealy, Sr. and Columbia lobbyist/ consultant Larry Marchant.

So now, amid the Folks-Haley imbroglio, Marchant is asked to resign for “inappropriate conduct.” To quote Allahpundit: Hmmmmm.

UPDATE II: If what I just heard about Marchant’s resignation is true . . . oh, boy. But I got it third-hand, so I’ll have to keep you wondering. When I told one source that I’d heard a very interesting report, the source replied, “Well, whatever it is, I won’t be surprised. It’s South Carolina.”

UPDATE III: Linked by Moe Lane at Red State. Thanks!

Category: Scandal, South Carolina

Comments

33 Responses to “More ‘Inappropriate’ Stuff in S.C. UPDATE: Larry Marchant Claimed 2008 One-Night Stand With Nikki Haley! UPDATE: Video; Bauer ‘Desperate’?”

Will Folks Story Doesn’t Hold Water; Nikki Haley Undamaged by S.C. Rumor : The Other McCain
June 2nd, 2010 @ 4:52 pm

[…] out of his own rumor-mongering is pathetic. Ace hat-tips Jim Geraghty’s Twitter.UPDATE II: A suspicious resignation from a rival campaign. The mystery grows ever more intriguing . . . var addthis_append_data='false';var […]
Stacy McCain: Heads Rolling In South Carolina | Liberty Pundits Blog
June 2nd, 2010 @ 6:08 pm

[…] more charges by dudes in South Carolina about Nikki Haley. Sharereddit_url = […]
yarrrrr
June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:17 pm

Do you believe this McCain?
yarrrrr
June 2nd, 2010 @ 6:17 pm

Do you believe this McCain?
chercast
June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:24 pm

…AP reporter “Jim Davenport” not “Larry Davenport”
chercast
June 2nd, 2010 @ 6:24 pm

…AP reporter “Jim Davenport” not “Larry Davenport”
ConcernedforSC
June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:45 pm

A conversation between Larry Marchant and Larry’s wife

http://palmstatepolitics.blogspot.com/2010/06/hold-your-horses-here.html
ConcernedforSC
June 2nd, 2010 @ 6:45 pm

A conversation between Larry Marchant and Larry’s wife

http://palmstatepolitics.blogspot.com/2010/06/hold-your-horses-here.html
gahanson
June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:57 pm

Hasn’t Huckabee endorsed Bauer. Interesting how all these rumors came out AFTER Palin’s endorsement of Haley, and her subsequent climbing into 1st place. Wouldn’t be surprised if Huck didn’t have his fingers in this this trying to advance his guy, and take out Palin’s candidate.
gahanson
June 2nd, 2010 @ 6:57 pm

Hasn’t Huckabee endorsed Bauer. Interesting how all these rumors came out AFTER Palin’s endorsement of Haley, and her subsequent climbing into 1st place. Wouldn’t be surprised if Huck didn’t have his fingers in this this trying to advance his guy, and take out Palin’s candidate.
blaster
June 3rd, 2010 @ 12:19 am

This should bury Bauer.

Like I said, his skeletons are not even in the closet.
blaster
June 2nd, 2010 @ 7:19 pm

This should bury Bauer.

Like I said, his skeletons are not even in the closet.
yarrrrr
June 3rd, 2010 @ 12:40 am

This was the key part of the exchange between Haley and Bauer…

http://twitter.com/johnroconnor/statuses/15287614991

I hope someone uploads the video…
yarrrrr
June 2nd, 2010 @ 7:40 pm

This was the key part of the exchange between Haley and Bauer…

http://twitter.com/johnroconnor/statuses/15287614991

I hope someone uploads the video…
TR Sterling
June 3rd, 2010 @ 12:46 am

RSM,
Reddogreport (6/1/2010) “All I know, is the last thing that I would want is a pro like Erick Erickson pissed off at me, a bloodhound like Stacy McCain on my trail, or a pitbull like Dan Riehl out to prove me wrong.”

I thought dog fighting was illegal in most states?

Woof. Go get em Stacy!
TR Sterling
June 2nd, 2010 @ 7:46 pm

RSM,
Reddogreport (6/1/2010) “All I know, is the last thing that I would want is a pro like Erick Erickson pissed off at me, a bloodhound like Stacy McCain on my trail, or a pitbull like Dan Riehl out to prove me wrong.”

I thought dog fighting was illegal in most states?

Woof. Go get em Stacy!
UNBELIEVEABLE: Nikki Haley Accused of Having ANOTHER Affair « Red Dog Report
June 2nd, 2010 @ 7:49 pm

[…] Just when it looked like this story had run out of twists and turns, another accusation of an affair… […]
Will Folks
June 3rd, 2010 @ 1:28 am

OK, OK, I admit it. Larry Marchant and I did the horizontal Mambo. But it was just that one time. OK, twice. But that’s it. I’m only saying this to protect my family.
Will Folks
June 2nd, 2010 @ 8:28 pm

OK, OK, I admit it. Larry Marchant and I did the horizontal Mambo. But it was just that one time. OK, twice. But that’s it. I’m only saying this to protect my family.
ESTABLISHED: South Carolina Is A Fetid Swamp Even By Political Standards | Liberty Pundits Blog
June 2nd, 2010 @ 8:30 pm

[…] of course, I had linked to Stacy McCain before, but he has this very interesting tidbit in his updates: 7:45 p.m. ET: A South Carolina reader sends me this […]
Estragon
June 3rd, 2010 @ 7:09 am

You should have seen Marchant giving an interview!

He claims he was forced to come out because Folks did and Haley denied it “defiantly”!

Now, how the heck would Marchant know what happened between Folks and Haley? And why would that force HIS hand?

Don’t worry about his wife. She knows aaallll about Marchant, and has for a long time. When she wondered what was so funny about the “tea-bagging” remark, she knew just who to ask.

I’m sorry for the pain Haley and her family are being subjected to, but she is holding up strong – if you watch her, even after being blindsided just before the debate last night, she was resolute, solid, confident, and angry.

Bauer looked like every 10 year old kid in the world when he realizes Mom and Dad aren’t buying his story.

Barrett and McMaster are going to have a hard time seeking relevance in this race, but I’d bet on McMaster ending in the run-off after the Bauer clip makes its rounds (and puts an end to one miserable narcissist’s political career) simply because he’s the only one who can say he and his campaign are completely uninvolved (AFAIK) – if there is one. The public mood seems to be changing, the transparent dirty tricks becoming obvious even to those subjected to our “49th-in-the-nation” public school system.

Haley could win a majority next week, and not need a run-off.
Estragon
June 3rd, 2010 @ 2:09 am

You should have seen Marchant giving an interview!

He claims he was forced to come out because Folks did and Haley denied it “defiantly”!

Now, how the heck would Marchant know what happened between Folks and Haley? And why would that force HIS hand?

Don’t worry about his wife. She knows aaallll about Marchant, and has for a long time. When she wondered what was so funny about the “tea-bagging” remark, she knew just who to ask.

I’m sorry for the pain Haley and her family are being subjected to, but she is holding up strong – if you watch her, even after being blindsided just before the debate last night, she was resolute, solid, confident, and angry.

Bauer looked like every 10 year old kid in the world when he realizes Mom and Dad aren’t buying his story.

Barrett and McMaster are going to have a hard time seeking relevance in this race, but I’d bet on McMaster ending in the run-off after the Bauer clip makes its rounds (and puts an end to one miserable narcissist’s political career) simply because he’s the only one who can say he and his campaign are completely uninvolved (AFAIK) – if there is one. The public mood seems to be changing, the transparent dirty tricks becoming obvious even to those subjected to our “49th-in-the-nation” public school system.

Haley could win a majority next week, and not need a run-off.
Dandapani
June 3rd, 2010 @ 3:01 pm

Ok, let’s get this over with. WE ALL SLEPT WITH NIKKI HALLEY!
Dandapani
June 3rd, 2010 @ 10:01 am

Ok, let’s get this over with. WE ALL SLEPT WITH NIKKI HALLEY!
ConcernedforSC
June 3rd, 2010 @ 11:55 pm

How bout Jake Knotts, Larry Richter’s partner in crime calling Nikki Haley a raghead. On the air…

It really happened

http://palmstatepolitics.blogspot.com/2010/06/jake-knotts-goes-racist-on-nikki-haley.html
ConcernedforSC
June 3rd, 2010 @ 6:55 pm

How bout Jake Knotts, Larry Richter’s partner in crime calling Nikki Haley a raghead. On the air…

It really happened

http://palmstatepolitics.blogspot.com/2010/06/jake-knotts-goes-racist-on-nikki-haley.html
Four Megahits of Joy Reliably Anticipated : The Other McCain
June 5th, 2010 @ 9:32 pm

[…] Hold Water; Nikki Haley Undamaged by S.C. RumorRed Dog ReportRed Dog ReportFort LibertyMore ‘Inappropriate’ Stuff in S.C. UPDATE: Larry Marchant Claimed 2008 One-Night Stand W…Liberty PunditsRed Dog ReportLiberty PunditsTexas4PalinVIDEO: Haley vs. BauerRed StateAmerican […]
From “Nikki Who?” to Nikki the “Raghead” Whore in Less Than a Month : Jenn Q. Public
June 7th, 2010 @ 12:10 am

[…] Gov. Andre Bauer. Marchant just happened to pick the week before the primary to tell the world that he and Haley had a one night stand in 2008. The proof? Why, his word, that’s the proof! If it’s good enough for the media, it should be […]
The New Agenda » Blog Archive » Nikki Haley: From Unknown to”Raghead” Whore in Less Than 2 Months
June 7th, 2010 @ 12:55 pm

[…] Gov. Andre Bauer. Marchant just happened to pick the week before the primary to tell the world that he and Haley had a one night stand in 2008. The proof? Why, his word, that’s the proof! If it’s good enough for the media, it should be […]
Florida Watching
June 13th, 2010 @ 5:42 pm

Been working the comments at Fits …. just don’t know about those folks. Super Haley supporters…….but why?
Florida Watching
June 13th, 2010 @ 1:42 pm

Been working the comments at Fits …. just don’t know about those folks. Super Haley supporters…….but why?
“Then They Call You a Whore…” : Right Turns Only
July 30th, 2010 @ 8:32 pm

[…] later came out that Marchant was working as a consultant to then-primary contender Andre Bauer, and that he was a close colleague of the aforementioned Will Folks. Winthrop University […]
“Then They Call You a Whore”: The Systematic Smearing of Nikki Haley, Part III | RedState
July 31st, 2010 @ 8:41 am

[…] later came out that Marchant was working as a consultant to then-primary contender Andre Bauer, and that he was a close colleague of the aforementioned Will Folks. Winthrop University political […]