A city police chief sworn in as mayor of Norway resigned after two hours on the job. Jim Preacher was serving as Ehrhardt police chief before he was sworn in as the town of Norway’s mayor. But, according to The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg Preacher didn’t last long as mayor. After two hours from taking oath as mayor, Preacher resigned.

Preacher said in November he would keep both jobs despite a legal opinion declining that. He then changed his position after a town council meeting. The attorney general’s office says Preacher legally abandoned his position as Ehrhardt police chief, but now he cannot automatically return to his former post as police chief. Ehrhardt officials would have to reinstate Preacher.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham says the Lexington County Republican Party Executive Committee’s statement to censure him because of his positions on TARP funds, cap and trade and other issues was authored by Ron Paul supporters.   Now a former chair of the Lexington county party who also served as state GOP chair says he will move to negate the resolution.

We caught up with Graham Tuesday as he was speaking to a group of foresters near Columbia about cap and trade. 

“You know, it’s a free country,” says Graham.  “But the 13 people who voted for that were at least led by Ron Paul supporters.  They didn’t support me the last time and they won’t support me the next time.  I think my conservatism plays well.  I won 68 percent of the vote in Lexington County.  I seek conservative solutions but I also believe in trying to find common ground so I’m not going to change my politics.” 

Graham says contrary to criticism, he is being a responsible republican.  “I’m fighting to keep a sixth of our population from being taking over by the Obama health care plan,” he says.  “I think it’s misplaced priorities.  I think the party needs to focus on signing up more voters to stop this health care bill.” [Read more...]