OES THROUGH WINTHROP
BUT WHY WINTHROP, SOME ASKED? Political science faculty members said several reasons account for the increased attention. Winthrop produces the much-touted Winthrop Poll, the only poll conducted regularly in the Palmetto State that gauges voters’ opinions on candidates, government officials and issues, and one with proven methodology. Its director, Professor of Political Science Scott Huffmon, is an expert in American and South Carolina politics.
Also, because South Carolina holds its primaries early in the political season, the state can influence which candidates are chosen as each party’s nominee. The Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary may be held before South Carolina, but the Palmetto State has, for the Republicans, a variety of GOP voters — fiscal conservatives, social conservatives, evangelicals, active duty military and retirees, and small government advocates. And for the Democrats, South Carolina yields a large voting bloc of African Americans, a key constituency in the Democratic coalition.
And lastly, Rock Hill fits into the Charlotte, North Carolina, region and receives media coverage by the Charlotte television stations, the 24th largest television market in the country and the largest in North Carolina. With North Carolina moving its primaries from May to March, presidential candidates would receive media coverage in two key states by visiting Winthrop.
FIRST IN THE SOUTH FORUM TAKES NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT One of the largest events held at Winthrop during the election season was the Nov. 6 First in the South Democratic Presidential Candidate Forum sponsored by MSNBC with the S.C. Democratic Party. The forum, along with its ancillary events and activities, attracted national and international attention. Winthrop made the news constantly in the days leading up to the forum moderated by MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow and attended by candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley.
Nov. 6 also featured a midday visit by Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who was the main attraction in one of Sen. Tim Scott’s Town Halls. U.S. Reps. Mick Mulvaney and Trey Gowdy of South Carolina came for support. Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” which aired live from campus, interviewed Paul in a political crossover segment from a stage in front of Byrnes Auditorium.
In the afternoon of Nov. 6, the campus filled with elected leaders in state and national government positions, who, along with forum attendees, were invited to an issues forum hosted by S.C. Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter. In addition, another afternoon forum, entitled Chair Chat, featured Democratic Party officials from the Southeast. A segment of Chair Chat, hosted by S.C. Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison, was taped and distributed to media outlets.
S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison brought his signature “Chair Chat” to Winthrop to discuss current issues with other Southern state Democratic party chairs.
3
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27
