S.C. Democrats stump at Galivants Ferry

By Jamie Durant
Morning News Health/Environmental Reporter
Published: May 12, 2008

Democrats gathered Monday to mark the 132nd Annual Galivants Ferry Democratic Stump Speaking.

They gathered to hear a little bluegrass, eat some chicken bog and learn more about the Democratic candidates in the region.

Keynote speaker Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, who was selected by Congressman James Clyburn and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to be chief deputy whip, said she was glad to have the chance to talk to the people about issues effecting democrats in South Carolina.

“We need to bring our troops home because of the toll it is taking on their families and the fact that the Iraqi people need to step up for themselves,” she said.

Wasserman Schultz said she is confident in the potential of the democratic presidential nominee to the win the presidency in November.

“No matter who the nominee is, we’re all going to come together and work really hard to make sure to unify the party to elect a president to make the changes we want to make,” she said.

Wasserman Schultz mentioned expanding access to health care, weaning the country off foreign oil and repairing the economy as big issues facing the next president.

“We’ve got to elect a democratic president to be able to do those things.”

Conservation groups from throughout the state gathered at the stump to express their views on the proposed Santee Cooper coal-fired power plant to be located in Kingsburg.

“We thought it was a great opportunity to come and talk about coal plants and energy policies with both local people and elected officials,” Nancy Cave, executive director of the Coastal Conservation League.

The opponents of the coal plant brought focus to the issue by hosting a table in the shadow a an inflatable model of a coal plant.

John Ramsburgh, of the Pee Dee Sierra Group, said the event was a great chance to support clean energy legislation.

“Congressmen Spratt and Clyburn have been very proactive on conservation issues,” he said. “We want to see them support a clean energy future for our state and the country.”

Many people attended the event primarily to learn more about the views of the candidates running for office.

Linda Holt, an employee of the Holliday family who organizes the stump each year, said she wanted to find out what the future holds for democrats in South Carolina.

“I want to see what they are going to bring about in the future for us,” she said.

Keys to the town of Galivants Ferry were given to Congressmen James Clyburn and John Spratt at the event.

Clyburn said he is pleased to see the event still going strong after all these years.

“I’ve been coming here since 1971, and to be honored by this gathering today is a real pleasure,” Clyburn said.