US House: Brown in tough fight
It started off as the “grocery stores war,” but now it’s just war.
Ten days out from Election Day, incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Henry Brown is fighting for his political life against first-time office-seeker Linda Ketner, a Democrat.
Buoyed by recent polls that show Ketner even with Brown or a few points ahead, Democratic congressional leaders are buying ads in support of Ketner. They also have put Ketner on their party’s coveted “Red to Blue” list of races they think are best poised to oust Republicans and install new Democratic House members.
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NYTimes: McCain to Turn Presidential Race His Way
WASHINGTON (AP) — One month before Election Day, Barack Obama sits atop battleground polls in a shrinking playing field, the economic crisis is breaking his way and he has made progress toward winning the White House.
The onus is on Republican John McCain to turn the race around under exceptionally challenging circumstances — and his options are limited.
McCain’s advisers say the Arizona senator will ramp up his attacks in the coming days with a tougher, more focused message describing ”who Obama is,” including questioning his character, ”liberal” record and ”too risky” proposals in advertising and appearances.
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The State: SC delegation together on bailout
WASHINGTON — Rep. Gresham Barrett jumped on board the bailout express Friday as all six House members from South Carolina helped Congress pass a $700 billion financial rescue bill.
The House voted 263-171 for sweeping legislation to authorize the U.S. Treasury to buy or insure bank assets whose values have plunged in the country’s economic turmoil.
“We have come up with an incredible piece of legislation that addresses not just Wall Street, but Broad Street, where all the automobile dealerships are located in my hometown,” U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn told reporters after the historic vote.
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P&C, Kropf: Barrett Says He’ll Back Plan
Economic necessity and tax breaks helped make a $700 billion banking system bailout attractive enough for U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-S.C., to change his no vote to a yes.
Barrett, an Upstate Republican, said Thursday night he plans to vote for the package today. Barrett was the only member of the South Carolina delegation voting against it last week.
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GN, editorial: Economic Questions Left Unanswered
With the looming $700 billion bailout of the financial industry, the next president is likely to have his hands tied in trying to reduce the federal budget deficit or prevent the approaching fiscal calamity in the Social Security and Medicare programs. Even before the bailout, however, neither John McCain nor Barack Obama offered detailed ideas for getting the federal government’s fiscal house in order.
Neither candidate is talking about the tough choices necessary to bring the federal budget back into balance while ensuring the long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare.
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The State, editorial: In Time of Crisis, Our Leaders Fail Us
ON MONDAY, WE SAW that our nation is suffering from a shortage more profound than the looming collapse of credit — a leadership deficit.
The president can’t lead, and it seems painfully obvious that he knows it. As for Congress — after “leaders” worked across party lines for several days, we were treated to appallingly petty displays of partisanship before, during and after the 228-205 House vote against the rescue plan.
While sincere people had valid objections to the plan put forward by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, its rejection on Monday helped crystallize the fact that however flawed it was, there was one worse option: not passing it.
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The State: Graham, DeMint divided on bailout
South Carolina’s senators, both Republicans, split their votes on the bailout bill, with Sen. Jim DeMint voting no and Sen. Lindsey Graham voting yes.
DeMint accused some of the bailout’s supporters of making “reckless and irresponsible” statements as he told colleagues why he would vote against the bill.