© 2003, Rotary Club of Charleston

P.O. Box 21029
Charleston, SC 29413-1029

Club secretary:
Carroll Schweers
chasrot@comcast.net

Ravenel made pitch to Rotarians in Senate bid
Rookie politician shared platform

DEC. 2, 2003 - Thomas Ravenel, a self-described "Ronald Reagan pro-growth Republican," made a pitch for election to the United States Senate at the Rotary meeting this week.

Ravenel, who is 41 years old and who has recently worked in real estate development, says he brings skills, including "thrift, careful budgeting," to the table as a candidate. He said he sees politics as his "calling" and stated that he inherited a "duty to service" from his family.

Ravenel said Americans have been "galloping toward socialism," and he wants to work to reverse it. He is in favor of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty. "Central government doesn't work. We need to let the states solve problems," claimed Ravenel. He wants more action taken at state and local levels, including in the area of education, and he said "we need to rethink our relationship with the federal government."

Ravenel supports tax cuts, fiscal restraint and tort reform. He stressed that litigation costs are contributing to skyrocketing healthcare costs. Ravenel said that the United States has only 5% of the world's population but has 94% of its lawsuits, most of which he claimed were "frivolous." He said we are also the only NATO country without a "loser pays" litigation system.

Ravenel hopes his business background, conservative platform, and family name can deliver a Senate seat in 2004.

In other business…

Vito Scarafile led members in a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and Jim Bowron welcomed our guests and visiting Rotarians. John David Madison offered Health and Happiness. Jim Decker spoke about the Giving Tree, and Anita Zucker greeted new member Sandy Ferencz, who told us about herself. Richard Dowell spoke about Rotary Foundation donations. Bill Thompson solicited people to ring the bell for Salvation Army. Mark Smith introduced the guest speaker, Thomas Ravenel.