Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

Weekly Washington Wrap

• This week’s news on GOP presidential candidates focused more on President Obama’s vulnerability than on any particular GOP candidate.  On Tuesday, former Utah governor and recent ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, formally entered the GOP presidential race at a press conference near the Statue of Liberty; the same place Ronald Reagan launched his campaign in 1980.  The news of Huntsman’s candidacy was trumped one day later by reports of a growing number of pollsters who believe President Obama may be vulnerable in 2012 because of the shaky long-term economic outlook.
  
  
• Pressure continues to build for Congress to raise the debt limit.  The White House and congressional leaders are unlikely to meet their soft deadline of this week for reaching an agreement in principle.  One area of bipartisan agreement was Minority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) both insisting that a short-term extension, postponing tough budget decisions, should not be an option.
  
  
• Business won a major labor law victory this week when the U.S. Supreme Court denied the ability of millions of former Wal-Mart employees to pursue a sex discrimination class action lawsuit.  The victory was short-lived, as one day later the National Labor Relations Board moved forward with a rule that will allow for labor unions to organize non-unionized businesses more quickly.  NLRB’s move will likely fuel partisan tempers on Capitol Hill. 
  
  
• President Obama’s speech last night on winding down the U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan was overshadowed by the tension in Congress over operations in Libya.  Despite the quick unanimous confirmation Tuesday night of Leon Panetta to be the next Secretary of Defense, Congress is sharply divided over U.S. military operations in Libya.  The issue will bog down the Senate and is threatening to derail House debate on military funding.

David in D.C.

Another week means another trip to Washington, D.C., for David Wilkins.  The former ambassador spent Tuesday and Wednesday in our nation's capital for various meetings and events including a soiree for his good friend, Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC). 

Next week, Wilkins will be back in Washington for meetings that will include Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). 

Digging the Deal

On Wednesday, along with the South Carolina Congressional delegation, Wilkins attended a meeting with the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) at the U.S. Capitol.  SCSPA President and CEO, Jim Newsome, provided a briefing on developments regarding a major issue down here in the Palmetto State – the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. 

Earlier this week, Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint joined more than 100 business leaders, as Newsome and the Commander and District Engineer at the Charleston District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Col. Jason A. Kirk, signed a cost-sharing agreement to advance deepening of the critical harbor which is estimated to deliver $106 million annually to the U.S. economy. 

The Port of Charleston is located in one of the United States' most historic and scenic cities.  For years now, lawmakers have been working to secure funding to dig the harbor because deeper water will open the port to all the world's most modern vessels vastly facilitating worldwide trade.  The agreement this week represents an important initial step in the funding process. 

Run Against Romney

For Washington insiders, The Politico has emerged as the go-to newspaper and website for all-things political.  This week, reporter Alexander Burns examined the current GOP presidential candidate field in an article called, "Mitt Versus the Many" and talked with our own David Wilkins. 

Here's an excerpt from The Politico story: 

The fight for the Republican presidential nomination may not be a heavyweight slugfest after all.

A primary campaign that was expected to pit an eggshell frontrunner, Mitt Romney, against one or more powerful, well established opponents has suddenly been flipped. The former Massachusetts governor has built up a solid early lead and looks as strong as ever; now, the burden of closing that gap falls to a group of relatively untested, unknown rivals who have yet to prove themselves on the national stage.

The latest would-be Romney slayer enters the race Tuesday: former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, whose personal wealth and moderate politics make him an unpredictable player in the 2012 race.

Other candidates are already off and running. Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann entered the race with a splash last week at the New Hampshire presidential debate. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty continues to grind away at the early presidential primary circuit while another contender, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, waits in the wings.

Any one of those Republicans could eventually take flight and give Romney a real challenge for the nomination. But Republicans have come to the conclusion that only a drawn-out fight will reverse Romney’s early momentum.

“He looks strong. Just like you had Gov. Bush looking strong” in 2000, said former South Carolina House Speaker David Wilkins, a prominent Republican fundraiser who has yet to back a 2012 candidate. “We always knew somebody would come out of the pack to challenge him and that ended up being Sen. McCain. There’ll be someone coming out to make a strong challenge, in addition to Gov. Romney, but the jury’s still out on who that might be.”

Holidays and Heroes

In honor of Canada Day next Friday and U.S. Independence Day the week after, your Carolina-Canada Connections is taking the next two weeks off. 

Regardless, we plan to frequent Canadian news websites to track just how well the Royal visit is going across Canada.  In fact, rumor has it our own Ashley Martin will be perched on Parliament Hill next Friday in hopes of getting a glimpse of Wills and Kate – more officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  While she's there, Ash will also be representing Team Wilkins at the U.S. ambassador's July 4^th bash, held each year on the majestic grounds of the ambassador's residence in Ottawa, and this year once again hosted by David Jacobson and his wife, Julie. 

 

Patriotism is in their DNA!  The Wilkinses grandchildren, 3-year-olds Whit and Clary, proudly wave the stars and stripes!

As always, our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the men and women of the U.S. and Canadian militaries – we are privileged to celebrate freedom only because of their selfless sacrifice. 

May God continue to bless Canada and the United States.  Enjoy your holidays, y'all!