| Over bourbon, former SC senators launch new political podcast BY MAAYAN SCHECHTER JANUARY 22, 2021 09:30 AM, UPDATED JANUARY 22, 2021 10:13 AM COLUMBIA, S.C. National political news may have the greater chance these days of stealing the spotlight and focus, but two former and “recovering” South Carolina senators want to bring South Carolinians’ attention back to their state and local governments — by podcast.
On Monday, former Democratic Sens. Joel Lourie and Vincent Sheheen will launch their new political podcast, “Bourbon In The Back Room,” that will focus on the news and politics of local and state government with a touch of national issues.
The first episode? Medical marijuana, with guest state Sen. Tom Davis, whose mission is to get the legislation passed this session.
“State government affects our citizens the most by far, yet with the obsessive focus on national politics, most people don’t know what really goes on,” said Sheheen, of Camden, whose son, Austin, is one of the producers. “Joel and I plan to do deep dives on our podcast that will shed light on the fun, craziness, and seriousness of what goes on in South Carolina’s government.”
The idea to launch a podcast started a few weeks ago, Lourie said, when Sheheen informed him of a brand new project.
“He said, 'I have an idea, a project you and I should work on. But it’s not a money maker,’ ” said Lourie, of Columbia.
But Lourie said he was quickly sold, never a chance to miss talking politics with his former Senate desk mate.
“Politics is such a fascination for people in South Carolina, and we have so many great political stories,” Lourie said. “Podcasts allow us to go deeper, and Vincent and I were desk mates for 12 years, friends for 15, and we know each other’s every move. We have supported each other in politics and life. Our personalities come through. He’s just boring as hell, and I bring a little humor to the conversation.”
The two struggled at first with the name, wanting to avoid making it “too serious,” Lourie said.
They eventually settled on “Bourbon In The Back Room,” an ode to peoples’ perceptions that lawmakers cut deals in a hidden smoke-filled room over bourbon and cigars. Besides the clear plexiglass that will separate them due to COVID-19, there will be bourbon.
Though both are out of politics now, Lourie and Sheheen have never left.
Lourie served in the S.C. House from 1999-2004, then the Senate serving parts of Richland and Kershaw counties from 2005-2016.
He now runs his own health insurance consulting group, Lourie Life and Health.
Sheheen also served in the House from 2001-2003, also winning a seat in the Senate where he served parts of Chesterfield, Kershaw and Lancaster counties from 2004 until last year. Sheheen, an attorney, lost his seat in November to freshman Republican Sen. Penry Gustafson, one of three Republicans to upset Senate Democrats, giving the GOP 30 seats in the chamber.
Davis, a Beaufort Republican, told The State Thursday he was glad to see Lourie and Sheheen back to talking politics.
“What I like about Vincent and Joel, they’re willing to listen to another side because, ultimately, what we’re about here is trying to improve the lives of South Carolinians,” Davis said. “These two guys are very intelligent problem solvers. They’re not for team red or team blue. It’s about how does everybody win. There isn’t a lot of awareness in the public at-large about the collegiality in the Legislature.”
Like Davis, Lourie said they hope to invite a variety of guests on, from lawmakers, to other notable officials and reporters.
“We want to make it hopefully informative and entertaining. Some of the people may open up to us a little bit differently because we’ were colleagues,” Lourie said. “Plus, free shots of Vincent’s bourbon.”
The podcast will be available on all major platforms where podcasts are found. | 
