From The Hotline Latest Edition for Tuesday, May 6,2008

SOUTH CAROLINA

You Have To Pick The Right Buddies

Tue. May 6, 2008


Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) "says he is proud of his record, particularly his joining" with John McCain to urge changes in Pres. Bush's Iraq policy. "He also is proud of being one of the most sought-after senators for Sunday talk shows and for his record of reaching across the aisle to try to make progress on veterans' health care and spending issues." But for orthodontist/ex-RNC Cmteman Buddy Witherspoon (R) "that last part is the rub: the reaching across the aisle." Witherspoon: "He's shifted somewhat off center. Some people tell me, 'I didn't know we elected the third senator from New York or Massachusetts.'"

Witherspoon cited Graham's participation as one of the "Gang of 14" and his support of Bush's immigration bill. Witherspoon: "It sounded like amnesty. It walked like amnesty. We thought it was amnesty. That was another nail in the coffin as far as I'm concerned."

Graham: "Following Senator (Strom) Thurmond is a tough act, and I think I've tried to be the best senator I can be as Lindsey Graham. I think I've earned a reputation in Washington as someone you can work with, a valued ally and a worthy opponent. The longer you do something, generally speaking, the better you are at it. In year five, I'm a better senator than in year one because I understand the body better. I know where the pressure points are."

"Graham said he wants to be re-elected to continue his support for the global war on terror and to work on the most challenging issues of the day, such as entitlement reform and immigration reform." Witherspoon "said he would work on ending frivolous lawsuits, ensuring that trade agreements don't cost American jobs and working on energy, including drilling for oil" in ANWR.

"Few observers give Witherspoon much of a chance -- and not only because Graham has raised more than 10 times as much money and has endorsements from most of the state's most-prominent" GOPers. Witherspoon: "You would have to call it a David-and-Goliath race, but I've been there and done that before. I'm very encouraged. ... As a South Carolina senator, I would reach across the aisle, but I wouldn't give up on my principles. I'm not going to move across the aisle to join with the other side." Graham: "There are 51 Democrats up here, and they're not going to go away" (Behre, Charleston Post & Courier, 5/6).

And Yes, There Are Actual Democrats Running Too

On the Dem side, atty Michael Cone (D) and engineer/pilot/flight trainer Bob Conley (D) also will square off 6/10. "They have little money and name recognition." Ex-SC Dem chair Joe Erwin "said he doesn't know them." Erwin last year, explaining the lack of recruits: "We already have our best Democrat up there in Lindsey." Erwin "said last week that he took heat for the remark." Erwin: "I'd say that was a flip comment that looking back, you know, is probably not appropriate. ... I respect Lindsey Graham. I think he's worked very hard. ... I guess don't have heartburn about his work in the Senate, but I don't agree with many of his positions." SC GOP comm. dir. Rob Godfrey: "South Carolina Democrats had to look so far down the bench to find anyone willing to suit up for this race that the trainers were taping their own ankles."

Together, Cone and Conley have raised only about $22K, "not much more than their filing fees." They have Web sites and have made appearances around SC at Dem meetings. "Cone said that if elected, he would work on jobs, health care and national security issues. He would work to change tax policy to discourage companies from taking jobs overseas. He also favors a single-payer health care system," adding: "I do not see a place for private insurers in the health care market." He "said he also favors getting U.S. troops out of Iraq because of the strain it's placing on the military." Cone, on illegal immigration: "Building a fence is not going to stop them. What's going to stop them is if they have no job to look forward to."

Conley said he believes "in the great Jeffersonian principle of government of and by the people, not of and by the corporations. I've got a lean campaign. I spend a lot of time on the phone and on the road." He "said Iraq, the economy and immigration reform are the defining issues of today and said the troops should be home by now and receiving better treatment. He also said China was a major concern, partly because of problems with imported toys, food and medicine from there" (Behre, Charleston Post & Courier, 5/6).