Fundraising realities are a bad omen for Sheheen, Democrats

Gov. Nikki Haley has a reason to be all
smiles. She had her best fundraising
quarter since being elected in 2010. 

Republican Gov. Nikki Haley's campaign has nearly $4.5 million in cash available as she eyes re-election November.
Haley raised more than $1 million in the latest quarter, that ended June 30, according to data released Thursday.
It's four months before the general election, and a lot could happen. But the numbers look good for Haley.
Haley raised more money in the latest quarter than any other quarter since she was elected, in 2010.
Haley more than doubled the fundraising efforts of her Democrat opponent, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen. He raised a little more than $505,000 in the same quarter. Sheheen has $1.7 million in campaign cash to spend. Haley has three times more to use to defeat Sheheen.
Aside from Haley being seen as the better candidate, supporters usually put their contributions behind the candidate that has the best shot to win. That is not good news for Sheheen, who has already lost to Haley once.
And Sheheen's party affiliation, through the shortcomings of President Barack Obama, is even more of a liability in South Carolina in 2014, than it was in 2010.
Sheheen, has used everything from calls for ethics reform to problems in state agencies to attack Haley. But none of it has resonated with voters to this point.

Sheheen's best shot seems to be the candidacy of a third party spoiler. But with the level of displeasure  associated with the Democrat brand, the trick could backfire. Fellow trial lawyer and third-party candidate Tom Ervin could take as many votes from Sheheen, as he takes from Haley.