Greene or Green? Local Dems present Green Party candidate as alternative to Greene

After the primary, South Carolina Democrats selected one candidate to challenge the incumbent senator, Jim DeMint, R-S.C.; but, in Aiken County, the local Democratic party seems to offer two choices - Greene or Green.

The Aiken County Democratic Party is giving "options" as to whom the party thinks should be elected to the U.S. Senate by listing primary winner Alvin M. Greene of Manning as a candidate and also listing a link to the campaign page of Green Party candidate Tom Clements on the group's website, www.aikencountydemocrats.org.

"It's not an endorsement - but we want people to know there are choices," said Aiken Democratic Party Vice Chair Teresa Harper.

On the page, where other Democratic candidates' websites are linked, Greene's is not. The header incorrectly spells his name and, unlike other candidates, there is no picture.

Directly below is the text "(Consider this?)" with a hyperlink to Clements' page. Instead of a link to Greene's page, a link to a political news site with Greene's name in the search bar is listed with the text "?? News."

In no other race listed on the group's website is a "choice" of candidate offered.

"Nobody's very enthusiastic about Mr. Greene," said Jerry Sundt, communication director for the Aiken County Democratic Party.

Surprise primary winner Greene has been the subject of anything but enthusiasm since his convincing victory over Charleston attorney Vic Rawls in the June 8 primary. In June, U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn described Greene as "somebody's plant," while Rawls challenged the results.

Asked if Greene was a viable candidate, Harper said, "You've seen Mr. Greene, do you think he's qualified?"

Harper said the party wanted a "very good candidate against Mr. DeMint" before voicing concerns that Greene's campaign had become "a big joke to the media."

Greene did not run a traditional campaign, having produced very little campaign literature and making few public appearances. The former University of South Carolina student and armed service veteran is still somewhat of an enigma, with no specific policy stances and questions about his military service looming.

Cal Land, chairman of the Clarendon County Democratic Party, Greene's county party, said that the candidate did not attend local party meetings or "stump" before his successful bid.

"I'm not surprised about this, I've heard that some legislators might endorse me," said Clements, the possible beneficiary of the lack of local confidence. "The question is will Dems come away from the party."

Longtime environmentalist for Friends of the Earth (FOTE), Clements is a newcomer to politics, and the Green Party is hoping to chip votes away from DeMint and Greene before November.

"I've been invited by a couple of Democratic groups in Columbia to talk, and I've been aware of Democrats in Aiken (looking at my candidacy)," Clements said. "I certainly think any endorsement or acknowledgment of my candidacy is a step forward."

Clements may have more of a foothold in the Aiken area than other parts of South Carolina. As Southeastern nuclear campaign coordinator with FOTE, Clements is an ever-present force questioning the environmental impact of activities at the Savannah River Site and other nuclear installations.

Greene has received similar treatment to that of the Aiken County Democratic Party in other counties - he is not mentioned on certain county Democratic party websites.

On Monday, the Anderson County Democratic site did not list him at all.

The Greenville County Democratic website did not list him as the primary winner and still had both Rawls and Greene, neither with any contact information. Other primary winners were listed on the state and federal level with web links and contact information.

The Spartanburg Democratic website listed no contact information, just a hyperlink taking users back to the South Carolina Democratic Party federal candidates page. All other candidates had current information listed.

Greene did not respond to e-mails requesting comment Monday.

Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.