DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Archie Parnell wins Dem nomination

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A Democratic candidate for a U.S. House seat in South Carolina won the party’s primary Tuesday despite accusations that he violently abused his wife decades ago.





Archie Parnell received enough votes to secure his party’s nomination and will face off in November's general election against incumbent U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman – a Republican who defeated Parnell by 3 percentage points in a special election last year.

The Democrat's primary victory, in which he defeated three challengers, comes just weeks after it was revealed that his now ex-wife accused him of physical abuse in the 1970s, according to divorce records obtained by the Post and Courier.





Parnell

Archie Parnell's ex-wife, Kathleen Parnell, said their marriage came to an end after he made “unwarranted accusations" and beat her several times. (Associated Press)

Kathleen Parnell said their marriage ended after her then-husband made “unwarranted accusations" and beat her several times.

“The Plaintiff is informed and believes that she is entitled to an absolute divorce on the ground of physical cruelty,” the divorce documents read.

The ex-wife claimed in divorce papers that Parnell used a tire iron one night to break a glass door to enter an apartment where the wife was hiding from him. He then allegedly made accusations against the wife and attacked her several times. The woman was beaten again later the same night, the newspaper reported.


“The Plaintiff is informed and believes that she is entitled to an absolute divorce on the ground of physical cruelty."
- Kathleen Parnell, according to divorce records.


After the “acts of physical cruelty,” the ex-wife obtained a restraining order against Parnell, saying she feared for her life, and immediately sought to divorce him.

The accusations of domestic abuse appeared only in divorce papers and no charges were filed against him at the time. But their recent disclosure put Parnell under scrutiny, prompting the exodus of campaign staffers and immediate calls to drop out of the race.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) communications director Meredith Kelly told the Post and Courier that Parnell’s behavior was “inexcusable and deeply disturbing” and urged him to withdraw his candidacy.


"His actions, though long ago, directly contradict the values of the Democratic Party."
- Trav Robertson, the chairman of the Democratic Party in South Carolina.
South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson joined in to condemn Parnell, saying his past actions “though long ago, directly contradict the values of the Democratic Party." Robertson also called on Parnell to drop out.

But Parnell -- a tax attorney whose past employers have included Goldman Sachs and Exxon Mobil -- stayed in the race, releasing a statement claiming that though he regrets his past actions, he’s now a changed man.

"This campaign has always been about the people of the 5th District, my home, but never about me," he said. "Forty-five years ago, while still a college student, I did something that I have regretted every single day since. In response to actions I feel unnecessary to specify, I lashed out and became violent with other people, including my former wife, which led to a divorce and monumental change in my life.

"These actions were inexcusable, wrong and downright embarrassing," Parnell added. "Since then, my life has been changed by a remarkable woman, two amazing daughters, a forgiving God and a career that has taught me to cherish what I have.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

His punk ass has no business running. Honestly what’s wrong with people today voting for scumbags all around the country.

I agree, however maybe now we can put to rest that its a GOP / Dem thing, and just a all around thing. . . ..

that's a southern democrat for you.

I don't know bro... I wonder if it's not in the world we live in with the scrutiny (much of it over the top) that decent folks are just saying, "Y'know, I don't want any part of that." and not running..

You couldn't pay me enough right now to run for any type of higher office.. have every bad thing I've ever done (or been accused of doing) dragged out in front of the world, my wife, my kids... I mean, I don't have any wife beatings or Nazi sympathizing in my past but there is definitely some stuff I'm not proud of and would rather not have to explain and relive...

I guess some of these folks just have no conscience and don't care if their dirty laundry gets paraded out for the world to see and judge..

You always have some group to mock and blame for everything as long as it doesn't include you.... this time it's southerners... next time it will be the GOP.. after that, people of faith...

Do you even realize what a judgemental, stereotyping, arse you sound like when you do that? You sound exactly like everything you say you hate in other people...

I hate the act of abusing any person like he did ...... but this was 45 years ago.

Do we believe a person can change (which it appears he has) .... or do we hold their sins against them forever?

For me, there are a few things that will never change in an individual. Child Molesters and women beaters. It is ingrained into their demented mentalities, and you cannot change that. JMO

I'm on my phone, so I'll keep it short as long replies break the text box. I have no problem with making fun of the politics I associate with. Most of my political entertainment shows/podcast relies on that. Unfortunately this forum probably wouldn't appreciate jokes about Chomsky, Zizek or Deleuze and organizations like YPG. Quite frankly I would love to discuss and joke about these concepts to break up the boring monotony of mainstream politics and Donald Trump tweets.

However, what did I say that was wrong? The moral excellence of southern Democrats has culminated into the Clinton dynasty. Republicans often point out how Bill Clinton is a sexual deviant and gets a pass from Democrats. They also say that Democrats are a racist party. I don't disagree with those sentiments and do wish to express them as well.

I agree as well except it's still a GOP/Dem thing because typically Dems don't support deplorable punk ass creeps like this while the GOP usually doubles down and gets on their bandwagon.

Like Bill Clinton?

My best friend was exiled from my life for a number of years, because he hit his ex-wife.

They divorced. He was never charged, and never prosecuted. However, he told me what he did. I was really angry with him, over what he did to her, for a number of years.

Today he has been with his "new" wife for about 25 years. She is the person he should have married from the beginning. They are still completely in love with one another, even after all these years. Their son just started college. She is a no nonsense type, buy she has stood by him through all kinds of medical difficulties. (a stroke, 2 heart attacks, a couple of serious bouts with depression, an attempted suicide, and other issues. She has been his rock.

My friend and I eventually recovered our friendship. It took time, and it took time for me to feel comfortable that he would never do anything like that again. As far as I know, he hasn't.

I do think that a person can change. Even a violent person. God can work miracles in a person's life. It has been 45 years since the violent and reprehensible attack. There have been no reports of other such vile activity.

I do think that a person can change, especially if they ask for God's help.

Once one side quits claiming they have the moral and religious high ground that can be considered. lol

From what we know, Bill Clinton was a sexual predator/pervert through most of his stint in Arkansas and in the White House... I have no idea if he has changed since then or not... I assume that since he is now 71 years old, at least some of that has probably subsided.. not sure if just getting too old to sexually assault women counts as "changing".. but if he were to run for anything, that's something we would have to discuss.

Even if you get passed the stuff you actually did, you still have to contend with all the stuff completely fabricated. The purposeful misrepresentation of positions and assigning immoral motives we see on DT by amateurs daily is only a microcosm of what we'd face running for office.

That's funny... Republicans never beat or cheat on their wives do they?

Why so sensitive that somebody made a joke about Southern Democrats? I thought you were a moderate.

The problem is that most politicians are scumbags. They got where they are by being scumbags.

i get that, but people can deal with corrupt politicians. this is the character of the man we're talking about. guys like him shouldnt even make it through the vetting process.