Raymond MacKay is a Democrat? ? ? ?

To think that a lifelong Republican would vote for John Edwards to make sure a local boy made a good showing is disingenuous to say the least. The fact is that Mr. Mackay voted in a democratic primary and then turned around and filed for office as a Republican. This lends credence to the idea that he was recruited and financed by the Preston machine, with Ron Wilson delivering the checks, except for those Mackay got direct from the county administrator's legal account for services rendered.It's interesting that Mackay, who apparently isn't ashamed of his vote in the Dem primary, didn't acknowledge it until it became public information. Maybe in Anderson county this kind of behavior passes for integrity, just as Mr. McAbee's conduct in pursuit of eceonomic dveleopment passed for ethical behavior. Oh , wait! That's right. It didn't did it? By a margin of 61-39.

Lee thanks for clearing up your personal primary issue, but I think you proved my point that sometimes people have reasons to vote certain ways but that doesn't make them party defectors. You clearly are not even though you have supported and voted for democratic candidates, and I do not believe Mr Mackay has changed his fundamental beliefs based on one primary in many years of voting.
I don't live in that district and frankly don't have a dog in this fight. I have been discussing the issue though because I believe the personal attacks have gone on long enough and it is hypocritical for Mr Waldrep to use that as an issue when he himself has changed parties. Personally as an outsider looking in I think Mr Mackay is a better candidate. However I think Mr Waldrep has should be commended and honored for his years of service to the county and state. And I hope he discontinues this line of personal attacks because I don't like being in the position of having to say disparaging things about him.
As I said I don't live in that district so I don't know the answer and am helping some one can tell me- Is there a democrat running in District 1 that will be on th eNov ballot?

plumbbob. You mentioned that Mr. Mackay was paid legal fees by the county. Is Mr. Mackay employed by the county or Mr. Preston as an attorney or in another capacity? I have read in the papers that Mr. Preston has a number of attornies representing him and some of them do not even live in Anderson County. Does anyone have a list of Mr. Preston's attornies? Is that public record if Anderson County pays them from tax money? I still can't get the real meaning of the reason that Mr. Ron Wilson is paying Mr. Mackay to run for Mr. Waldrep's seat. This does not make sense to me at all. What is going on between Mr. Wilson and Mr. Mackay? I would think that Mr. Mackay is a wealthy attorney and would not need another councilman to pay his bills????

"for whoever you want for whatever reason"

yea, and don't tell me that if he votes in a democrat primary that can't be my reasons for voting against him. That reason changed my vote and I don't appreciate ya'll telling me that reason is not a good reason. I think it is a reason and I'm the one that will sign in the Republian roll to vote. It's my vote and you can't tell me how I make my own decisions.

yea, and don't tell me that if he votes in a democrat primary that can't be my reasons for voting against him.

It's truly amazing the number of people who have come out of the woodwork to take issue with Raymond. And for what issue is this?

He voted in a Democratic Primary when the Republican Candidate (McCain) was a known-lock to win SC (remember, your next closest contender in that race was 14,743 votes BEHIND).

So ... following the logic, we have a group of local Republicans that DON'T TOTE THE NATIONAL PARTY LINE yet are set to string up one of their own for crossing the isle and VOTING IN A NATIONAL PRIMARY.

. . . and let us not forget . . .

After Maha Rushie "officially" kicked off Operation Chaos, it was OK TO GO VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.

Is everyone connecting the dots here? Can everyone follow this line of logic?

Again, I will point back to MacKay's early Republican record. When you stand by your party after a NATIONAL SCANDAL, I'm not sure how much more devoted you can be. Dial the clock back 30+ years and TRY to remember what it was like to be an elephant among a sea of donkeys.

MacKay has the Republican battle scars and the long-standing loyality to the party. If this is the only thing you can find fault with him on, then I must say he is the man of choice for District 1.

Oh . . . and I L--O--V--E how everyone is attempting to gloss over Bob "Flip-Flop, What Party am I in" Waldrep. He has OFFICIALLY dropped the GOP tag only to pick it up later. That is A FACT.

Spin spin spin . . . so many people worried that Bob will lose. You should really re-focus your efforts elsewhere.

- SSHM

Unless I missed something I don't think anyone tried to tell you how to vote Amanda. It is your right as an American to vote for whoever you want, just as it is Mr Mackay's right to vote for whoever he wants.
I realize his reason sounds a little hokey to you, but it's his reason and it's his right. It sounds like he has always been a republican and a proud South Carolinian and continues to be one. His man (the republican candidate) won the state primary as he thought he would and he let sentimental state pride guide him on primary day. But I bet he still votes for McCain in November and November will be the election that counts.

well said from one that has a credit card. sshm how many credit cards do you have access to? what't the special at sullivan's 2night?

. . . and this is what scares a lot of you more than anything else.

There are a number of us in the community that don't work for the county.

There are a number of us in the community that want growth and development.

There are a number of us who have NEVER met the cast of characters you are so intent on fabricating some soap opera out of.

We are those that economic growth and development have brought to the area.

We are the infusion of ideas and progress from outside of Anderson.

You know you are winning the argument when someone who has just "magically appeared" on the blog can only seem to DODGE the FACTS and LOGIC presented. Resorting to personal attacks and an illogical approach.

Why don't you try to actually COUNTER my points, hmmm? That is what good discussion and discourse is about. Based on your knee-jerk reaction, I'm fairly confident you are unable to engage in a rational debate. Please prove me wrong.

- SSHM

You're right. I don't think anyone who has posted here has said Mr. MacKay doesn't have the right to vote and declare himself a democrat, but don't ask me to vote and support you.

I will sign the republican roll with pleasure and remember that Mr. MacKay signed the democrat roll declaring himself a democrat just weeks prior to becoming a lifelong republican.

Give me a break. 2 more years for Waldrep.

There are a number who spoke on the 10th of June replacing three of Preston's puppets. Districts 3, 4, and 5. These are facts. Also, Chrissy Adams and her bon bons beat Miss Sarah. Your back is against the wall now. Are you going to lose your credit card? How many of these inflated salaries are going to be cut in half come January? Preston and the rest his pawns who are on the county dole now place all their hopes on the great white dope.

so we are to believe Mr. MacKay because he said he voted and supported Gerald Ford? He couldn't get elected either. He got beat by one of the worst presidents in modern in not all of history.

We have to believe him because he says he voted for all the republicans in presidential races. Prove it! You can't. It can be proven that he chose a liberal to be the leader of the free world, only because he was a local boy. He moved from Seneca at the age of 12. That was like 40 years ago. MacKay wasn't even from here 40 years ago.

Liberal trial lawyers suing doctors is what MacKay and Edwards are all about. Edward's is a liberal supporter of abortion, gay marriage, bigger government, and higher taxes. Is this the type of "republican" that we want? Not me brother.

I wish he had just said, " I voted for Obama, because I hate Hillary". At least that would have been a decent answer, but no he had to vote for John Edwards.

Mr. MacKay, do us a favor and drop out. Run as a petition candidate, or ask the democrats to put you on their ticket. We don't want you.

Districts 3, 4, and 5 are far from being in the bag. Don't count your chickens before the new council is sworn in. As for Sarah losing, well, I have my own interesting theory about that - for which I am not ready to share it just yet (need a few more details).

Gloat now . . . groan later.

- SSHM

you voted for John Edwards???????????????

I can't understand anyone that would support Edwards and call themselves a Republican.

As my mother would say " I would not have told that".

for crying out loud. 3, 4, and 5 are in the bag. You will see also that weasel Ron Wilson switching to the good guys, because he almost got beat. He outspent Freemantle 20 to 1. Unless Ron changes his ways, 3 times will be a charm for freemantle.

Let's just talk about what is in the bag. If Bob W. wins, it will be 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Ron Wilson and Gracie Floyd will be irrelevant. I predict Ron will have his tail between his legs and most votes will be 6-1.

Scared? say scared.

Again ... you're trying to tie NATIONAL politics to a LOCAL race because . . . why? His right to choose which primary to vote is his own personal choice - a choice which has NO BEARING on a LOCAL COUNTY RACE.

Again, if you are going to be fair, where is the outrage over Bob Waldrep and his inability to stick with ONE political party? Oh that's right - you can't be fair as you are backing Waldrep.

If you are going to go after MacKay, at least go after something with merit.

Psst ... if you think this has merit, you need to walk around and ask people in District 1 - it DOES NOT. In fact, as I understand, MacKay supporters and those that were sitting on the fence view this latest hit piece as just that - a hit piece. People are tired of this nasty political season.

You've taken it to extra innings there Yankee Fan. Time to realize that extra innings isn't going to help - it's going to sink (and stink too).

- SSHM

Miss Sarah must not have had enough bon bons?

I'll say ignorant for now, as I am not scared about what will unfold after the first of next year. Almost as ignorant as Steinbrenner thinking he could BUY a World Championship.

NY Sports . . . tragic.

- SSHM