Showing posts with label South Carolina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Carolina. Show all posts
Sunday, January 15, 2012
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Mitt Romney’s rivals are seeking to exploit doubts about his faith, values and business record in a last ditch bid to stop him claiming a third straight primary victory in the race to decide which Republican will face Barack Obama in November.
His more conservative opponents are splitting the vote in a state where six out of ten Republicans are evangelical or born again Christians, while Mr Romney's superior organisation and fund-raising is expected to pay dividends.
But South Carolina is known for surprises, and undercurrents of anti-Romney sentiment, based on his Mormonism and his previous support for abortion, could yet cripple his chances.
David Woodard, a professor of political science at Clemson University who has advised numerous presidential campaigns in South Carolina, said: "It is too early to put a crown on him."
"It's not just his faith that's the problem. It's his moderation and his history that make it hard for him to fit down here. That doesn't mean he can't win, but he is from Massachusetts and we're talking about the great-great-grandchildren of the people that fired on Fort Sumter," he said, referring to a famous Civil War battle.
At a campaign appearance over the weekend, a voter asked Mr Romney bluntly if he believed in Jesus Christ – a question which reflected the fact that 50 per cent of Americans do not believe the Church of the Latter Day Saints to be Christian.
"Yes, I do," the candidate replied, adding: "I happen to believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and my saviour, but I know other people have differing views, and I respect those views and don't believe those qualify or disqualify people for leadership in our nation." Read on and comment » | Alex Spillius, Greenville, South Carolina | Sunday, January 15, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Newt Gingrich has launched a new political attack advertisement against his Republican rival Mitt Romney – accusing him of speaking French.
The advertisement by Mr Gingrich tries to draw an unflattering parallel with another Massachusetts politician, John Kerry, the Democrat who lost to George W Bush in 2004.
"The French Connection" paints Mr Romney as another tax-raising, moderate, elitist who will "say anything" to get elected – "anything". Over Parisian accordion music, it continues: "And just like John Kerry he speaks French too."
It then delivers its coup de grace: a clip of a promotional video Mr Romney recorded for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah, which he served as chief executive.
"Bonjours, je m'appelle Mitt Romney," he says.
The snippet has already been used several times in a documentary, "When Mitt Romney Came To Town", released by supporters of Mr Gingrich to expose Mr Romney's "predatory" record as head of the corporate buy-out firm Bain Capital.
That attempt to denigrate Mr Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, has apparently backfired, with several prominent party figures deriding Mr Gingrich for attacking capitalism and free enterprise.
But Francophobic attacks on Mr Kerry worked in 2004 when feelings about French opposition to the Iraq war were running high. Republicans even said the senator "looked French" when it was learnt he had relatives in the country. » | Alex Spillius, Greenville, South Carolina | Friday, January 13, 2012
Newt, you're full of sh**! To attack a man for being able to speak French is low down. It shows that you have no style or class. You're a populist; and there should be no room for populists in the White House.
If you can't get to the White House on your own merits, then you don't deserve to be there. So go on home, and wait till the next election. By then you might have grown up. – © Mark
Friday, January 06, 2012
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Mitt Romney has rocketed to an 18-point lead in South Carolina, according to a CNN poll released today.
South Carolina, the first southern state to hold a primary, could prove to be a crossroads for the Republican nomination process. Social conservatives and Tea Party activists hope to erect a roadblock against Romney, seeking to prevent the momentum he gained from his historic eight-vote victory in Iowa and his expected win in New Hampshire next Tuesday from transforming into an election juggernaut.
Voters head to the polls Saturday, Jan. 21.
South Carolina is more socially conservative than New Hampshire and could pose a problem for Romney. His more conservative rivals - including former senator Rick Santorum, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Texas Representative Ron Paul, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, have been campaigning there. Perry has skipped New Hampshire to muster his forces in South Carolina. » | Shira Schoenberg, Globe Correspondent | Friday, January 06, 2012
Saturday, October 08, 2011
"This is America's moment," he declared. "We should embrace the challenge, not shrink from it, not crawl into an isolationist shell, not wave the white flag of surrender, nor give in to those who assert America's moment has passed. That is utter nonsense."
Mr Romney's speech – in the deliberate setting of the Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina, a symbol of the South's warrior traditions and in a state holding one of the first primaries next January – is his first major foreign policy foray in a campaign set to be dominated by the country's grim economic situation. » | Rupert Cornwell in Washington | Saturday, October 08, 2011
THE INDEPENDENT – LEADING ARTICLE: Now the Republicans must choose: Sarah Palin's announcement that she will not seek the presidency, following the similar decision from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie 24 hours earlier, appears to have settled the Republican field for 2012. ¶ A late entrant cannot entirely be ruled out. But to all intents and purposes, this is Mitt Romney's moment. The most important question in American politics now is: can the unloved frontrunner seize it? » | Saturday, October 08, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Seuls avec la Bible. Un shérif de Caroline du Sud est accusé d’interdire aux détenus d’une prison toute autre lecture que le texte saint, qui leur est "proposé" gratuitement.
Le ministère américain de la Justice a lancé des poursuites judiciaires à l’encontre d’un shérif de Caroline du Sud accusé d’interdire aux détenus d’une prison toute autre lecture que la Bible.
Selon la plainte du ministère, déposée cette semaine devant un tribunal de Charleston (sud-est), le bureau du shérif Sheriff H. Wayne DeWitt refuse systématiquement les demandes de prisonniers souhaitant recevoir des journaux, des revues ou même des cours par correspondance.
"Le seul livre, magazine, journal ou publication religieuse" que le Centre de détention du comté de Berkeley autorise "est la Bible", affirme la plainte. » | AFP | Vendredi 15 Avril 2011
Thursday, September 10, 2009
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama gave an emotional, sometimes contentious address to Congress on Wednesday, combining tough talk to opponents with olive branches on policy in a bid to break the impasse on revamping the health-care system.
Calling the initiative "my plan," Mr. Obama set the size of a health-insurance plan at $900 billion over 10 years, a figure smaller than versions approved in the House and fully paid for, he said, by spending cuts and tax increases. Most individuals would be required to purchase health insurance, but the costs would be mitigated by generous tax credits. Large employers would also face a requirement to offer health coverage to employees or pay a fine, while most small businesses would be exempt.
The president pledged to tackle medical-malpractice lawsuits in an overture to Republicans. He singled out his former presidential rival, Sen. John McCain, in embracing one of the Arizona Republican's health-care proposals. And he promised new cost controls that could scale back his plan if health-care inflation isn't brought under control.
But Mr. Obama chastised Republican leaders who talked of death panels. The president called it "a lie, plain and simple." He warned, "I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it's better politics to kill this plan than improve it....If you misrepresent what's in the plan, we will call you out. And I will not accept the status quo as a solution, not this time, not now."
Republicans in turn held aloft copies of health-care bills they have drafted in a quiet rebuke to a president who has said they have offered nothing constructive. One, Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, shouted "lie" when Mr. Obama said his plan wouldn't cover illegal immigrants, though the Democratic bills circulating in Congress do exclude illegal immigrants from eligibility for subsidies. Mr. Wilson late Wednesday issued a statement apologizing to Mr. Obama for "this lack of civility."
Overall, Mr. Obama tried to make the case to consumers that his plan would provide more stability for those who already have insurance, and coverage for those who don't. Republicans said the plan is too expensive and will lead to excessive government control. President Makes His Pitch: Health Plan Cut to $900 Billion With Tax on Premium Coverage; GOP Unconvinced >>> Jonathan Weisman and Janet Adamy | Thursday, September 10, 2009
THE TELEGRAPH: President Barack Obama has condemned the "collective failure" of Americans to provide health care coverage for all, presenting reform as a moral imperative while lambasting opponents for "scare tactics".
His prime-time speech to both houses of Congress was punctuated by standing ovations but when Mr Obama said it was "false" that his plan would cover illegal immigrants one Republican congressman shouted out: "You lie!"
Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina later apologised for his dramatic outburst, which shocked Mr Obama and drew a disapproving shakes of the head from Michelle Obama, the First Lady.
"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," Mr Wilson said in a statement.
"While I disagree with the President's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility." Mr Obama's speech alternated between high-minded calls for Americans to come together to show the strength of the nations character with hard-edged partisan attacks on Republicans.
The time for "bickering" was over, he insisted, and asked politicians to "replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress".
But he also blasted Republicans for mounting a "partisan spectacle" over the summer. "Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics," he said. Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise." Although he did not use her name, he left no doubt that he was calling Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, a liar. >>> Toby Harnden in Washington | Thursday, September 10, 2009
THE TELEGRAPH: President Barack Obama opened his key address on health care by noting that he wasn't the first American head of state to grapple this most intractable of issues, but that he was determined to be the last.
That remains to be seen, though after a passionate and self-confident speech, he is more likely than not to get his way.
But about half way through his 40-minute address, Mr Obama certainly became the first president in living memory to be called a liar in front of a joint session of Congress.
The president was dispelling a list of myths and "bogus claims" spread by opponents of his plan, when he denied the assertion that his proposed reforms would not provide health insurance to illegal immigrants.
Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, pointing angrily at the president, blurted at the top of his voice: "You lie!"
His outburst prompted cries of "Shame!" from the Democratic benches, while the president looked startled and Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, shot a furious look to the left of the dais. First Lady Michelle Obama, watching from the public gallery, shook her head in dismay. Even the Republican colleague to Mr Wilson's left patted his arm to calm him down.
As soon as the president had uttered the last word of his speech, Mr Wilson bolted from the chamber of the House of Representatives on a media-evasion mission. Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff and a former whip in the House, moved rapidly towards the area where Mr Wilson had been sitting and remonstrated with Lindsey Graham, the senator from South Carolina and whichever Republicans were listening.
Veteran Congress watches had never heard anything like it. Previous presidents have been subjected to the odd ironic chortles, a disapproving murmur or perhaps a jocular heckle, but not a full-throated insult like this. >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Thursday, September 10, 2009
THE TELEGRAPH:
Barack Obama health care speech in full >>> | Thursday, September 10, 2009
TIMES ONLINE: President Obama vowed last night to honour “the character of our country” and the legacy of generations of reformers by forcing through sweeping reforms of a healthcare system that had led the United States “to breaking point”.
In a passionate and often pleading address to both houses of Congress, he confronted head-on critics who have threatened to derail his presidency by accusing him of plotting a government takeover of the healthcare industry.
He called rumours that proposals in Congress would lead to the establishment of “death panels” for the elderly “a lie, plain and simple”. Minutes later he was himself accused of lying from the floor. The heckler was identified as Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who later apologised.
Challenged to stamp his authority on a debate that has drained his authority and split his own party, Mr Obama insisted that “the time for bickering is over”. He said that his door was still open to constructive proposals from any party — and won a rare standing ovation from Republicans by promising medical malpractice law reforms that they have long sought — but in a warning to the scaremongers who have dominated the health debate for months, he added: “Know this: I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it”.
The 45-minute speech was carried live on every major network and was partly a last-ditch effort to persuade the millions of Americans who are happy with their coverage that the $900 billion (£544 billion) plan he supports is affordable and necessary. >>> Giles Whittell in Washington | Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Saturday, January 19, 2008
BBC: Hillary Clinton has won a fiercely contested election in the US state of Nevada, according to projections based on 88% of the vote count.
Preliminary figures show Mrs Clinton with 51% of the vote, to 45% for Barack Obama. Both candidates have fought hard to win the support of Latino voters.
US TV networks project a big win in the state for Republican Mitt Romney.
The party's contest in Nevada has been overshadowed by a closely-fought primary being held in South Carolina.
Voting continues in the first southern state to hold a primary, where Republicans John McCain and Mike Huckabee, who appear to be the frontrunners in a very tight race, have focused their efforts.
But a win in Nevada for Mr Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, could give him a useful boost going into the next primary vote in Florida. Clinto wins tight Nevada caucus >>>
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