On the September 16, 2026 broadcast of The Charlie James Show on News/Talk 98.9 WORD, host Charlie James opens with a satirical medieval routine criticizing South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster for refusing to suspend the state gas tax despite government surpluses. James argues that taxpayers are being overtaxed while everyday citizens and truckers bear the burden. The conversation then shifts to the U.S. Senate race between Republican nominee Darlene Graham and Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews. James compares their campaign strategies, highlighting a recent ad featuring Andrews's Republican father alongside Graham's interactive "Annie's Waiting Room" video game. Callers join the program to debate party loyalty, candidate visibility, and conservative voting strategies ahead of the general election.

In Hour 1 of The Charlie James Show on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, host Charlie James delivers a sharp critique of South Carolina political leadership, opening with a satirical theatrical proclamation mocking Governor Henry McMaster ("King Henry the Heartless") for refusing to suspend the state gas tax despite rising prices and budget surpluses. James highlights listener frustration over paying road fuel taxes for everyday equipment like lawnmowers, contrasting McMaster's stance with neighboring states like Georgia, where tax relief was granted. Moving to the state’s political races, James examines the U.S. Senate campaign between Republican nominee Darlene Graham and Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews. After reviewing a campaign ad featuring Andrews's Republican father, James criticizes Graham’s low-profile, "sad" campaign strategy—symbolized by her website "Annie's Waiting Room"—and argues she is failing to articulate a strong conservative vision or connect with voters in the Upstate. Callers join the broadcast to voice their frustration with local GOP leadership, debating whether Graham's campaign is being mismanaged, hindered by party insiders, or taking voters for granted. Finally, James touches on federal developments, including the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate hike and House Democrats' attempt to push forward impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, warning of the potential long-term consequences for South Carolina voters.

On the September 16, 2026 broadcast of The Charlie James Show on News/Talk 98.9 WORD, host Charlie James discusses the optics and messaging strategies in the South Carolina U.S. Senate race. James compares a recent campaign ad featuring Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews and her Republican father to a video game website launched by Republican nominee Darlene Graham's campaign. Callers weigh in on the lack of visible engagement from the Graham campaign, expressing frustration with party dynamics while discussing the importance of conservative voter turnout in the upcoming election.

During the September 15 broadcast of The Charlie James Show, Representative Ralph Norman discussed the growing "Write In Ralph" grass-roots campaign for the upcoming South Carolina U.S. Senate election. Representative Norman clarified that while he acknowledges the public's frustration over President Trump’s endorsement and the current election dynamics, he personally intends to vote for the Republican nominee, Darlene Graham. The broadcast featured various call-in listeners debating whether to support the official GOP candidate, write in Representative Norman, or risk splitting the vote against Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews. Additional discussions during the program covered local political races, State Representative Stephen Frank's perspective on potential gas tax rebates, and the emerging trend of utilizing artificial intelligence tools for personalized homeschooling in technology hubs.

Key Discussion Topics

SC Senate Election Debates: Callers express widespread frustration with the GOP candidate options, debating whether to vote strictly along party lines or withhold votes in protest.

Party Allegiances: Callers discuss open primary dynamics and how party-line voting impacts state politics.

Bird Migration Trackers: Host Charlie James shares radar data on overnight bird migrations over Greenville and Spartanburg counties.

On the September 15, 2026 broadcast of The Charlie James Show on News/Talk 98.9 WORD, host Charlie James hears from local callers regarding voter strategy and polling numbers in the South Carolina U.S. Senate race. Callers weigh the risks of writing in Ralph Norman versus voting for Republican nominee Darlene Graham, with several emphasizing that a split vote could inadvertently hand the election to Democratic candidate Dr. Annie Andrews. James cites recent polling from Rasmussen and Insider Advantage showing a narrow race between Graham and Andrews, contrasting these tight numbers with Lindsey Graham’s double-digit lead during his previous campaign against Jaime Harrison.

On the September 15, 2026 broadcast of The Charlie James Show on News/Talk 98.9 WORD, host Charlie James takes calls from listeners expressing deep frustration over the choices facing conservative voters in the upcoming election. Callers from across South Carolina debate the merits and risks of the "Write in Ralph" campaign, with some arguing that splitting the Republican vote risks handing the election to Democrat Annie Andrews, while others express exhaustion with supporting establishment candidates. Throughout the discussion, James highlights the frustration surrounding the lack of candidate engagement and the strategic dilemmas facing conservative voters at the polls.

In this episode of The Charlie James Show, the host dives into the changing landscape of American education, highlighting how high-tech families in California are leveraging AI technology to customize homeschooling for their children. He argues that this modern approach challenges traditional models of schooling and counters common social critiques of home-based education. Transitioning to local politics, Charlie leads a heated discussion on South Carolina’s political climate, warning listeners against voting for Democratic candidates like Annie Andrews. Callers weigh in on whether writing in alternative Republican candidates could inadvertently split the conservative vote, presenting a strategic dilemma for local voters.

On the September 15, 2026 broadcast of The Charlie James Show on News/Talk 98.9 WORD, host Charlie James refutes an email claim that he is encouraging listeners to vote for a Democrat, clarifying his stance against doing so. He discusses political figures like Karl Rove and highlights contrasting Democratic positions on taxation and property rights. Focusing on the upcoming election, James weighs the choice between supporting Republican candidate Darlene Graham and conducting a write-in campaign for Ralph Norman. A caller, Donna, expresses frustration over party loyalty and candidate transparency, while James stresses the high stakes of the election—including potential impacts on Senate procedures and national politics—noting he will make his final decision following an upcoming October 11th debate.

On the September 15, 2026 broadcast of The Charlie James Show on News/Talk 98.9 WORD, host Charlie James expresses his admiration for homeschooled children, dispelling common myths regarding their social skills. He discusses a recent trend in San Francisco where tech professionals, engineers, and AI researchers are leaving traditional public education to homeschool their children using AI tools and customized learning models. While acknowledging the benefits of personalized learning and flexible education, James cautions parents that AI should serve strictly as an educational tool rather than a replacement for parental guidance, socialization, and values.