Politics

SC Senator's Slur Could Bring State GOP Rebuke

COLUMBIA, S.C.,None — Leaders of the South Carolina Republican Party are expected to discuss disciplining a state senator who referred to the party's gubernatorial nominee and President Barack Obama as ragheads.

The state party's executive committee is to meet Saturday. First vice chairman Patrick Haddon says he will ask his colleagues to oust Sen. Jake Knotts from the party and bar him from running again as a Republican.

It's questionable if that's possible. There's nothing in party rules about expulsion and rules can only be set at state conventions.

Knotts' comment came on an Internet talk show days before the June 8 primary. He has repeatedly apologized, saying it was meant as a joke. He has already been reprimanded in his home county of Lexington and asked to resign. Knotts refused.