Posted on Wed, May. 19, 2010 in The State
By JOHN O’CONNOR
joconnor@thestate.com
South Carolina’s seven gubernatorial candidates met for a family-values-themed debate Tuesday as the campaign entered its final three weeks.
The Republican half of the twin 30-minute debates started with sparks, based on state Rep. Nikki Haley of Lexington’s first gubernatorial ad hitting the air Tuesday. That ad takes a shot at each of her three opponents, Attorney General Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett.
Haley has criticized Barrett for voting for a federal bank bailout, but Barrett fired back at Haley for voting for using about $350 million in federal stimulus money in this year’s state budget before voting, and campaigning, against the money. Haley said two earlier votes were “procedural” and she voted against final passage of the bill.
“I never said I never voted for it,” Barrett said of his Troubled Assets Relief Program vote. “Procedural votes do matter and the record is very clear.”
Barrett’s final vote, Haley said, was for passage of TARP.
“The final vote on the stimulus, I voted against,” she said. “My opponents have said they favored taking the stimulus.”
Bauer was pressed on his claims of ending “generational welfare,” with moderator Judi Gatson of WIS TV asking him which programs, many of which are federally run, he would end?
“We’ve got to have an adult conversation, Bauer said, not providing specifics. “It’s all programs.”
The candidates took on questions about entering office with a looming billion-dollar deficit, recruiting jobs to South Carolina counties with the highest unemployment and resisting temptations that come with elected office.
“I want every son and daughter of South Carolina to know the whole world is open to them,” McMaster said, answering a question about why S.C. has so few elected women.
The Democratic half of the debate had fewer fireworks.
Any Democratic governor would likely face a Republican-controlled Legislature, so the three candidates were asked how they would appeal to moderates.
Superintendent of Education Jim Rex noted he currently is the only statewide-elected Democrat. The majority of South Carolina, he said, is the “sensible center.”
“I think they want an executive, a CEO for governor,” he said. “I’ve run a college. I’ve been a college president.”
State Sen. Vincent Sheheen said his Kershaw County district is more moderate than most.
“I talk about basic, important issues. Like small business,” Sheheen said, explaining his plan to create a Commerce Department division to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs. ”
State Sen. Robert Ford of Charleston, who has proposed legalizing video poker and auctioning off a Myrtle Beach casino license, said his proposals would have little trouble becoming law because he would have a mandate.
“The people have spoken,” Ford said. “It’s just that simple.”
Tags: Gubernatorial Debates, Jim Rex