Nancy Mace turns embarrassing airport feud into political war - Parker, WaPo

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has made several names for herself — some of which can’t be printed — in part by rejecting the bless-your-heart paradigm of the polite Southern belle in favor of the congresswoman’s apparently more profane personality. In 1999, she was the first female to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets. She was the first female Republican elected to Congress from South Carolina. Polls show her in a dead heat in the Republican gubernatorial primary race with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, a self-made millionaire who served two terms alongside retiring Gov. Henry McMaster.

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Last month, she became embroiled in a dispute with law enforcement officers at Charleston International Airport. Mace was running late for her flight and called ahead to request officers meet her at her silver BMW upon her arrival and escort her quickly to her gate. A misunderstanding apparently about the color of the car resulted in officers not meeting her and, in a huff not seen since Hurricane Hugo blew through, Mace marched toward the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, where she was stopped. Video footage shows Mace talking to TSA agents as airport police approach her. Whatever transpired next unleashed a rage in Mace that would get most of us arrested. “Inappropriate and profane” was how the nice officers described her behavior in their reports.

Mace reportedly said the officers were “f---ing incompetent,” and “this is no way to treat a f---ing U.S. representative.” Mace claimed airport security would never treat Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) this way, which is true because Scott, whose disposition is so sunny Earth has been known to circle him, would never behave as Mace did. Somehow, Mace decided that airport security officers were part of a conspiracy to derail her run for governor. This is pure paranoia. Sure, we’re talking about South Carolina, where politicians might challenge each other to a duel — but they haven’t been known to recruit airport cops to hassle elected officials.

A befuddled Scott promptly defended airport security officers. Fellow Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina posted his support for Scott on X, while also managing to mention the $40 million he has directed to Charleston County for airport improvements. Mace fired back, challenging the manhood of both senators and exclaiming that “REAL MEN PROTECT WOMEN.” Then things started getting really weird.

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The easiest path for Mace weeks ago was a simple apology that would have won her praise and votes: “I’m sorry, I was out of sorts, please forgive me.” We’re all messes sometimes, and most people will forgive others given half a chance. Instead, Mace escalated. “They” are trying to take her down, she insists, because she’s working for “YOU.” Mace has no idea how unhinged she sounds to the Piggly Wiggly checkout line.

https://wapo.st/4pg7IVP

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