The 2008 national campaign is most curious in that it features two South Carolina politicians in high profile roles for the respective presidential nominees: Representative James Clyburn in the Obama camp, and Senator Lindsey Graham with John McCain.

Clyburn, as the Democrats House Whip, will be a much sought after talking head throughout the convention for his rank in the party/House and because he is such a prominent African-American Congressman.

Graham has been in and out of the national spotlight for years, but now, as John McCain’s closest Senate colleague, he, too, will get quite a bit of media time in September.

Each will, of course, evoke the usual partisan campaign boilerplate.

But what an opportunity for both of these national political heavyweights to enhance the image of their home state! The media isn’t particularly intellectual, so both will get questions it is hoped they will deflect. The Confederate flag, for instance, or “religious-right” sentiments are likely to come up.

Both should stick with topics of national concern. This isn’t to suggest that either will use the national media as a soapbox for this or any other “local” issue, but rather a hope that they will NOT.

The State of South Carolina can come out of these conventions with new respect. There is this opportunity for these two men to enhance the intellectual capital not just for themselves, but for their home. They don’t have to be Palmetto cheerleaders or shill for South Carolina like a Hollywood hack promoting a new movie. they just need to be professional, not petty and not fall for the traps the media are sure to set.

But, hopefully, Clyburn and Graham won’t be the only South Carolina presence this summer. In the words of the immortal Yoda, “There is another.”

See:

• Transforming South Carolina’s Image
  
• Give Mark The Mike