S.C. Dems Split Over U.S. Senate Nominee Alvin Greene, Accused Of Flashing Porn
Just when you thought South Carolina politics couldn't get any sleazier, Democratic leaders begged their surprise Senate nominee to quit yesterday upon learning he's facing charges of flashing porn at a coed.
Alvin Greene, 32 and unemployed, shocked the Palmetto State's political establishment Tuesday night when he came out of nowhere - he didn't even have campaign signs - to beat well-funded fellow Democrat Vic Rawl, an ex-judge.
But Greene's win - credited to the race's low interest and his higher position on the alphabetized ballot - apparently wasn't the only shocker the Army vet had in store.
Court records show Greene was arrested in November and charged with showing obscene Internet photos to a University of South Carolina co-ed, a Felony. He has yet to enter a plea or be indicted.
The revelation prompted the leader of the state Democratic party yesterday to ask that Greene remove himself from the race.
"I did not do this lightly, as I believe strongly that the Democratic voters of this state have the right to select our nominee," party chairwoman Carol Fowler said.
"But this new information about Mr. Greene...would certainly have affected the decisions of many of those voters."
No chance, said Greene, who yesterday vowed to forge ahead with his extreme-longshot campaign to unseat popular Republican Sen. Jim DeMint.
"The Democratic Party has chosen their nominee, and we have to stand behind their choice," Greene told the Associated Press at his home in Manning. "The people have spoken. We need to be pro-South Carolina, not anti-Greene."
ABC News reported on another skeleton: Greene was involuntarily booted out of the Army in August after a 13-year military career that included time as an intelligence specialist and later a unit supply specialist.
He declined to discuss details of his discharge, telling ABC only, "Things just weren't working."
In the court case, Greene is charged with "disseminating, procuring or promoting obscenity" in Richland County, S.C., and could face up to five years in prison.
Neither Greene's attorney nor a woman listed as the victim immediately returned messages to the AP.
Felons can serve in federal office, but the U.S. House or Senate could vote to expel any member deemed unfit to serve.
Voters had just weathered one of dirtiest primaries in the history of South Carolina history - already a national leader in low-down mud-slinging and the home of Gov. Mark Sanford, who weepily confessed last year he went AWOL from his job for an extra-marital affair.
Vikki Haley, 38 - a Republican running vying to replace Sanford - had to fend off two separate allegations that she cheated on her National Guard hubby.
Voters weren't convinced: Haley crushed her three male opponents, although her failure to crack the 50% mark means she'll now have to survive a June 22 run-off.
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Sources: NY Daily News, WCNC, Google Maps
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