General
Political vs. Principled
Watch what they DO, not what they SAY
Political vs. Principled? This may seem simple … but it is one of the hardest concepts for grassroots advocates and voters to truly understand and identify.
What is principled?
- (of a person or their behavior) acting in accordance with morality and showing recognition of right and wrong. “a principled politician”
- (of a system or method) based on a given set of rules. “a coherent and principled approach”
- If you want to break it down simply … “Principled” elected officials follow #1 The Bible, #2 The US Constitution, #3 The Platform in everything they do with all their votes. If it violates any of those documents … #VoteNO! See? Simple!
What is political?
Generally that is when a politician does what is practical based on where the wind is blowing at the time … usually what is best for themselves, perhaps financially or to fulfil all politicians #1 goal of getting re-elected.
Most politicians come into office idealistic (or principled) … but quickly become co-opted by the machine (or their ego) and become pragmatic (or political). They use terms like “you just don’t understand” or “leadership says” or “there are other factors to consider” … but interestingly enough they can’t disclose or won’t TEACH / EXPLAIN what they mean by all the fluff talk.
And ultimately … when they realize you are on to them … they refuse to respond completely. They shun you … delete your from their special chat groups … and then start to slander you as a trouble maker. They do this even to the grassroots supporters and donors that got them elected in the first place. [NOTE: You do however have to look in the mirror and ask yourself if you are the problem. There are some people who who truly don’t “get it” and are trouble makers. It is a fine balance, so be honest with yourself.]
And it is really hard for those of us who given so much of our Time, Treasure & Talent to candidates who are now elected officials that “turn” on us. At that point we have two options:
Option #1: Put our heads in the sand not wanting to believe or face we made a mistake in supporting this person, or
Option #2: … go all out war, find a challenger for the next election, and hold them accountable for “flipping”. [NOTE: Spoiler alert, you have to take Option #2 and hold them accountable – see below.]
Remember, “Watch what they DO, not what they SAY.”
THE SOLUTION?
(1) We have to pick candidates that we know will NEVER faulter … ones that will HOLD TRUE no matter what the pressure leadership or the monied special interest (or worse) puts on them.
(2) We have to pick candidates who you want in the foxhole with you when the proverbial gunfire starts.
(3) We have to pick candidates that WANT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
It is truly that simple.
And when your candidate gets elected … we have to embed ourselves in with his or her office. We have to have their back … not just go back to sleep thinking “everything is all better now”. We have to be the voice in their ear … we have to drown out the constant whispers of the monied special interest. We have to be their CHIEF OF STAFF? [NOTE: Ask yourself, who is your favorite elected official’s CHIEF OF STAFF? A volunteer grassroots advocate? You? Or some special interest lacky?]
And when your candidate (now elected official) starts to turn and flip on their campaign promises and principles … we have to QUICKLY guide them back … or go all in to hold them accountable … OPTION #2 above.
Remember, it is not hard to be Principled … or at least is should not be. #1 The Bible, #2 The US Constitution, #3 The Platform. If it violates any of those documents … we have a problem … and a Principled politician should #VoteNO!!! Simple!!!
WatchAndLEARN!!!
by Jeff Davis
As we head into the 2026 South Carolina Primaries next June 9th, Republican (and Democrat) voters will be faced with picking which Republican (or Democrat) they want to represent them in the general election. It will be a choice we each have to make among the available options … the 2, 3 or 5 candidates that filed and are on the ballot … and there is no “None Of The Above” option. Sure, you don’t have to vote … but don’t complain later when you sat out the election.
We are seeing already … the jockeying by political consultants and their operatives to push their candidate (and tear down the opponents) … and the “PERFECTIONISTS” that complain about every candidate, but offer no solutions (and are not willing to run for office themselves).
A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH: Selection of a candidate to support is not easy. None of them are perfect, and how much can you really believe from what you hear on the campaign trail. What we like to encourage is that everyone think critically and logically about candidates and their campaigns, and steer clear as best you can of the emotional knee-jerk reactions that often dominate the discussions.
IT IS NOT JUST THE CANDIDATE – LOOK AT THEIR TEAM: While it’s tempting to focus solely on the candidate, it’s equally important to examine the people they surround themselves with. If you’re unaware of a candidate’s consultants (and their motivations), staff (and their roles), or the candidate’s supporters (who will inevitable have the ear of the candidate), it’s wise to hold off on offering your support. Ultimately, it’s not just about the candidate—it’s about their TEAM (or the “baggage” that comes with them).
We like to prioritize two key qualities when evaluating candidates:
(#1) Electability: A candidate (a) willing to run for office and (b) capable of winning. You may know the “perfect” person, but if they won’t run for office or are not capable of winning … what good are they?
(#2) Collaboration and Integrity: A candidate open to working with The People, with the grassroots, willing to listen, eager to include The People as part of their TEAM, and genuinely committed to doing what’s objectively right for the people—not just themselves (or their monied special interest backers). Here is where experience and judgment comes into consideration because you really don’t know what a candidate might do once elected. We have helped candidates get elected – and then never spoken with them again (not by our choice). Being lied to is a hard lesson to learn.
This process of selecting a candidate to back is both an art and a science, and while we may never find the “perfect” candidate, we can identify and support those who meet these two criteria and give us the best odds of promoting the conservative cause … at least until the next election when we will have another chance to try again.
THE TRUMP OF 2016: Reflecting on the field of “candidates” in 2016 … and the original “candidate” DONALD J. TRUMP … I believe that original candidate TRUMP, embodied these qualities, and that approach has proven effective in helping Save America.
STOP LOOKING FOR A “POLITICAL SAVIOR”: Most importantly, let’s remember, no candidate will save us. There is only one true “Savior”, and He is not running for office. Our work continues, so don’t think you are off the hook if your person gets elected. But having the right people – dedicated TEAM players – in elected positions from top to bottom can make all the difference.
Be smart … be logical … don’t be emotional … and don’t just complain, complain, complain.
Dum spiro spero
(“While I breathe, I hope”)
Best,
Jeff Davis, JD, MBA, CPA(GA)
Chairman & Co-Founder, mySCGOP.com
Chairman, Greenville County Republican Party
jeff@apogeetax.com
843-901-8036 (cell)
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TRUMP Truth Social Post (HERE)
The NANCY MACE campaign released polling numbers yesterday showing a commanding early lead in the South Carolina Governor’s Race … 25% MACE, 17% Alan Wilson, 10% Ralph Norman, 6% Pamela Evette, 3% Josh Kimbrell … with 38% Lean / Undecided. You can see the full reports HERE & below.
The polling results show MACE separating herself from the crowd since officially launching her candidacy last week and announcing AUSTIN MCCUBBIN (HERE), the 2024 TRUMP Team Statewide Director, has joined her team. This all seems to make MACE the early odds on favorite to win the Republican Primary next June 9th, 2026 … 294 days from today.
You can find more details on FITSNews (HERE & on X HERE) … but the real story broke when President TRUMP himself shared the MACE Polling Lead on his TRUTH Social (HERE) last night at 9:29pm. When the POTUS shares your leading polling data with the world … that is a not so subtle message.
Good news for NANCY MACE … but and incredibly bad sign for Lt. Governor Pamela Evette who is in a distant 4th with 6% of the vote. The Lt. Governor has led folks to believe she has TRUMP’s endorsement locked up. Well, that claim did not seem believable at the time … and really doesn’t appear believable now. When was the last time TRUMP endorsed someone in 4th place??? We can’t remember either.
Stay tuned … it is going to be a fun 2026 primary season!!!
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Coffee & Politics – August 15th, 2025 – YouTube (HERE) & RUMBLE (HERE)
Friends, we have been running a weekly Coffee & Politics Meeting out of our Greenville Headquarters for nearly 3 1/2 years now … and it has been a huge hit. It is how we communicate our vision and #Mission to or local Volunteers and Community … and it one way we RECRUIT more people to the MAGA America First movement.
WHEN: Every Friday from 11am – 1pm
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NOW ON RUMBLE!!! (HERE)
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Coffee & Politics – August 8th, 2025 – YouTube (HERE), RUMBLE (HERE) & X (HERE).
Friends, we have been running a weekly Coffee & Politics Meeting out of our Greenville Headquarters for nearly 3 1/2 years now … and it has been a huge hit. It is how we communicate our vision and #Mission to or local Volunteers and Community … and it one way we RECRUIT more people to the MAGA America First movement.
WHEN: Every Friday from 11am – 1pm
JOIN US!!!
NOW ON RUMBLE!!! (HERE)
NOW ON X!!! (HERE)
Subscribe to our YouTube Page:
Subscribe: HERE
mySCGOP.shop
ONLINE SHOPPING: mySCGOP.shop
SUSTAINING & INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS:
Make a Charitable Donation TODAY: HERE
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