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henry brown 
Wed Jan 20, 2010 at 16:00:11 PM EST
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It's official: the Son of Strom is in. Paul Thurmond, son of legendary U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond, announced Wednesday he will seek the Republican nomination in South Carolina's First District race. In an email sent to supporters, Thurmond laid out a rather populist sounding platform centered around cutting taxes and running against the status quo in D.C. “We have serious problems facing our country — too many people are without jobs, out of control federal spending, a Democratic Congress bent on destroying our health care system while eliminating benefits to our senior citizens, rising taxes, and an Administration that seems to think that apologizing for America’s actions is good foreign policy,” said Thurmond. Thurmond initially decided against challenging incumbent Henry Brown last fall, but the Congressman's retirement announcement earlier this month prompted the Charleston County Councilman to reconsider his plans. The GOP race for the SC-01 seat now will be a battle between Palmetto political dynasties. Thurmond will square off against Carroll "Tumpy" Campbell (son of popular former Gov. Campbell) in the June primary. Also in the running, Isle of Palms Councilman Ryan Buckhannon and perineal candidate Katherine Jenerette. However, the Republican field will likely continue to grow as several other S.C. politicians have expressed interest in vying for the open seat. For Democrats, support seems to be building for Air Force Col. Robert Burton of Mount Pleasant. Last week Burton received a nod from top recruit and '08 Dem nominee Linda Ketner, who has decided not to run again this year. Burton will face Georgetown businessman Robert Dobbs and retired Naval officer Dick Withington of Pawleys Island in the June Democratic Primary.
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Wed Jan 13, 2010 at 12:29:10 PM EST
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( - promoted by Jennifer Read)
In her usual, gracious and intelligent way, Linda Ketner informed her supporters by email this morning that she does not plan to run for the SC First Congressional District to be vacated by incumbent Republican Henry Brown at the end of his current term. Ketner does plan to remain active in community work and political life in the Lowcountry.  Her email reads:
Dear Friends and Supporters, I am deeply appreciative of all the encouragement I’ve received from hundreds of you since Congressman Brown’s resignation. Because we have been partners in building a better South Carolina, I wanted you to be the first to know that I will not be running for Congress in 2010. Personally and professionally, 2010 is not the time for me to mount a campaign. Although I’m not endorsing anyone until I see each candidate's thinking as regards how to make government work again, I ask my supporters to take a close look at Colonel Robert Burton. He and I met over 10 years ago and worked together on affordable housing initiatives in South Carolina. I find him to be a man of integrity, service and leadership and will study his candidacy carefully. My wish - and I'm sure yours - is that a candidate of uncommon wisdom, principles, independence and leadership emerge victorious for this seat. Very best regards,
Linda
Linda Ketner
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Tue Jan 05, 2010 at 06:54:45 AM EST
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In the wake of Henry Brown's decision not to seek re-election, rumors are spreading like wildfire across The Palmetto State about who might replace Oh Henry in the First District next year. For Democrats, Brown's departure sets up an opportunity to make a play for an open seat in a district that's been trending slightly more moderate in recent years. In 2008, Charleston was one of only a handful of counties to flip blue in our reliably red state, and Linda Ketner's narrow 4 point loss to Brown made progressives across the country sit up and take notice of the possibilities in South Carolina's First District. After Ketner's announcement last summer that she would not take another shot at the seat in '10, the DCCC began courting former State Rep. Robert Barber and current Rep. Leon Stavrinakis to pick up the blue mantel. But Barber opted instead to reconsider another run at the Lt Guv position and multiple sources have confirmed to Indigo Journal that Stavrinakis decided to pass on a congressional bid earlier this fall. However, given Monday's dramatic turn of events, might Stravrinakis rethink his decision?
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Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 14:14:35 PM EST
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Representative Henry Brown, who claims to be the "workhorse" of the 1st Congressional District, did not support several key measures to spur economic development, support military families, and create jobs for the 1st District of South Carolina by voting against H.R. 4213. This bill, H.R. 4213, includes several key, targeted tax measures that will help individuals, businesses, and farmers of the 1st District. The bill extends the deductibility of state and local sales taxes and property tax relief, as well as the college tuition deduction and the deduction for teachers’ classroom expenses. For businesses in the 1st District, this bill strengthens investment in alternative fuels, extends tax credits for farmers, and extends research and development tax credits for business. Below is an outline of some of the provisions in the bill: • Extension of the State and Local General Taxes Deduction. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the election to take an itemized deduction for State and local general sales taxes in lieu of the itemized deduction permitted for State and local income taxes. • Extension of the Deductions for College Tuition. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the above-the-line tax deduction for qualified education expenses. • Extension of the Deduction for Classroom Expenses for Teachers. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the $250 above-the-line tax deduction for teachers and other school professionals for expenses paid or incurred for books, supplies (other than non-athletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education), computer equipment (including related software and service), other equipment, and supplementary materials used by the educator in the classroom. • Extension of the Research and Development Credit for Business. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the research credit. • Extension of Depreciation for Farming Business Machinery and Equipment. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the provision that provides a five-year recovery period for certain machinery and equipment which is used in a farming business. • Extension of Tax Incentives for Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the $1.00 per gallon production tax credit for biodiesel and the small agri-biodiesel producer credit of 10 cents per gallon. The bill would also extend for one year (through 2010) the $1.00 per gallon production tax credit for diesel fuel created from biomass. • Extension of Tax Incentives for Natural Gas and Propane used as a Fuel in Transportation Vehicles. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the $0.50 per gallon production tax credit for natural gas and propane used as a transportation fuel. • Extension of Employer Wage Credit for Activated Military Reservists. The bill would extend for one year (through 2010) the provision that provides eligible small business employers with a credit against the taxpayer’s income tax liability for a taxable year in an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the sum of differential wage payments to activated military reservists. Without the extensions, these provisions would expire at the end of the year. The Tax Extenders Act of 2009 provides up to 30 million homeowners with property tax relief and assists 4.5 million families better afford college with the tuition deduction. Henry Brown also did not support the members of the military because this bill makes sure that activated military reservists do not suffer a pay cut by providing a tax credit for small businesses that continue to pay their National Guard and Reserve employees when they are called up to serve. Military families have sacrificed enough and with the implementation of 30,000 more troops in Afghanistan, this provision is essential to the financial stability of our military families. In this difficult economic time, Congress must continue successful initiatives that lessen the tax burdens for American families and businesses. |
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Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 13:30:43 PM EST
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(Hot topic in the First District. Bumped into Monday. - promoted by Jennifer Read)
Dear Mr. Sanderson: Thank you for contacting me about the Department of Defense's (DoD) policy of allowing homosexuals who keep their sex lives private, or "don't ask, don't tell." As a staunch advocate for our nation's military, I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this matter. In 1993, Congress passed a law that the House, Senate and President Clinton thought would be a compromise between the Pentagon's stated policy of homosexuality's "incompatibility" with military service and allowing openly homosexual persons to serve. Instead of completely reversing the ban on service in the military by homosexuals, "don't ask, don't tell" dictates that the Armed Forces will no longer ask recruits about their sexual orientation, but that service members who engage in homosexual acts or who publicly announce their homosexuality will face discharge. Since then, this principle has been the current practice in all branches of our nation's Armed Forces. However, many feel that this policy either didn't go far enough by not completely repealing the ban, or was contradictory because it both affirmed that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service" and tacitly allowed homosexuals to serve if they kept their sexual practices private. President Barack Obama said during his campaign that he would make repealing this policy a goal, but has yet to take any action. In the 111th Congress, legislation entitled the Military Readiness Enhancement Act has been introduced that would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and also end the military's ban of homosexuals. This legislation has yet to be considered by the House Armed Forces Committee. While we continue to monitor this issue, please know that I will keep your thought in mind as we work during the 111th Congress. To get regular updates from my office sent to you by e-mail, please visit http://brown.house.gov/updates. I am honored to serve you in Congress and I look forward to hearing from you on other matters of interest or concern. Sincerely, Henry E. Brown, Jr.
Member of Congress
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Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 00:06:21 AM EST
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Representing the party of do-nothings, Congressman Henry Brown proved just that in the month of November.
Brown didn't vote on multiple items brought before the House in that month, but more specifically he didn't vote on H.R. 3961: The Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009. I guess his rhetoric of reforming Medicare is just that - rhetoric.
The bill passed 243-183 and has been applauded medical associations and patient advocates. The three remaining Republican congressmen did vote - No.
Under H.R. 3961, the sustainable growth rate (SGR) would be replaced with a new formula in which only physician services, and not other services provided incidentally to a physician visit (such as laboratory services or drugs), would be counted in each category; the update for 2010 would be the percentage increase in the Medicare economic index (MEI), which is 1.2 percent; and the new SGR formula would take into account spending for each category of service since 2009 or, beginning in 2014, for the previous five years.
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Wed Sep 23, 2009 at 16:13:27 PM EDT
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Sound the trumpets, Tumpy is in:
Carroll Campbell III, a Charleston businessman and son of former South Carolina Gov. Carroll Campbell, formalized his entry into the First Congressional District race Wednesday and wasted no time blasting a fellow Republican, incumbent Rep. Henry Brown.
"I have been in the Wendy's restaurant business. And when I take a look at Mr. Brown's record, I have to ask, 'Where's the beef?'" Campbell said. "Unfortunately, Mr. Brown's beef is nothing but pork."
Standing on this town's new pier underneath the Cooper River bridge - a setting chosen because of the USS Yorktown and Columbus Street Terminal in the background, Campbell vowed to break from "back-slapping, old-style" politics and fight to curtail spending in Washington, to push for simpler, fairer taxes and to promote new jobs in South Carolina.
When I first heard that Campbell wanted to enter the race earlier this year, I thought perhaps Brown would finally feel the pressure of a serious primary challenger. But in the months since Campbell first announced his desire to seek the seat, he's failed to develop a consistent message or flesh out a substantial platform to take on the battle-tested incumbent. A handful of hackneyed one-liners and Daddy's good name won't be enough for the political newcomer to topple the GOP stalwart in June. And given Brown's current 12 to 1 money advantage over Campbell, the new kid will have to work double time in the coming months if he hopes to raise enough cash to mount a serious challenge to Oh Henry.
On the Democratic side, it's still a wait-and-see game. Today's news that Robert Barber plans to run for Lieutenant Governor, means all eyes now fall on S.C. House Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, who is still mulling a possible run. Also on the radar, Air Force Col. Robert Burton - a Mount Pleasant Democrat who is expected to launch his campaign in late fall. So far, S.C. political newcomer Robert Dobbs is the only announced Democratic candidate for the First District seat.
Currently, CQ Politics rates the SC-01 race a hopeful "Leans Republican."
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Thu Sep 17, 2009 at 23:46:00 PM EDT
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South Carolina's 1st Congressional District's Henry Brown says he can't stand behind this "unprecedented path" of government spending, and calls President Obama's stimulus efforts a failure. Everyone agrees that the American economy is in bad shape. The President's "stimulus" package has failed to produce jobs while hundreds of billions of dollars from the package have gone unspent. Unemployment has risen dramatically, and each advance in the stock market is followed by a precipitous decline.That's why it is so important that the federal government gets its spending under control. President Obama recently announced his revised deficit forecast, which will put our nation an additional two trillion dollars in the hole over the next ten years. And that is based on spending plans he and the Democrat-led Congress have already enacted. They will only climb higher if the President is successful in his efforts to provide universal health care and tax carbon emissions. Not a single one of my Republican colleagues supported this unprecedented path of spending, one that created the largest budget deficit in American history. But Republicans believed then and now that we can and must do better to protect our children and our grandchildren from overwhelming future debt. Well, Henry. Isn't that a mouthful. The stimulus package has produced jobs, sir. Maybe if you'd read some of the newspapers around the state, you'd see that. Here's an example of what I found below. The Department of Energy (DOE) announced Tuesday that the Savannah River Site (SRS) will receive $1.615 billion in stimulus funds to accelerate decommissioning work and create as many as 3,000 jobs. Around the country, we have seen adverse effect in the positive, even allowing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake to state the recession is over. That's because Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has apparently seen enough economic data to say that the worst recession since the Great Depression seems done. His comments came on a day when markets saw several reports that further buttress the view that overall economic output is again expanding. But to Henry Brown, truth doesn't matter. Only ideology.
There is going to be a slow turnaround. But that's where we are because of the stimulus package. If it hadn't passed, we'd be in a full-out depression.
But Henry, I must ask why you don't include your support for TARP funds to bail out the banks in any of your letters? Instead of worrying about the deficit then, you simply allowed CEOs to pocket huge bonuses - using our money to enjoy the high life. I guess the debt on us from that pales in comparison to the donations you receive from your finance friends. Brown voted for the Fall 2008 Bank Bailout and Tarp program, without using his power in Congress to see that this Bush Administration effort included accountability, transparency and limits on bonuses. Billions of dollars in tax money has been paid out in bonuses by an economic sector where Henry Brown accepted more contributions than others during his career in Congress -- $470,805 from the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate industries, according to OpenSecrets.org. And what really gets me is the last comment you make in regards to looking out for our families. Henry, you've done no such thing. Under eight years of Bush control, you rubber stamped his policies, passed his agenda and ballooned the debt without paying for a single thing. That, sir, is what is effecting our country and families now. Not a single one of my Republican colleagues supported this unprecedented path of spending, one that created the largest budget deficit in American history. But Republicans believed then and now that we can and must do better to protect our children and our grandchildren from overwhelming future debt. What IS in bad shape is your party's unwillingness to stand behind something. As you boldly point out in acceptance, I urge you to reconsider following the partisan line in favor of standing with the American people. Stand with the state of South Carolina and forgo ideology. Use your so-called power to help out the citizens of the district you were elected from. We cannot pass along this crushing debt to our children and grandchildren.
Sir, you have already done so - and with nothing to show for it. The former president thanks you, too.
Friends, we do not need this type of representation. I urge you all to do whatever is needed to help put Brown out of office and put the "workhorse" out to pasture.
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Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 01:35:49 AM EDT
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Corporate and Financial Institution Compensation Fairness Act - Vote Passed (237-185, 11 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that intends to provide shareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation and to prevent certain incentives in the compensation practices of financial institutions.
Rep. Henry Brown Jr. voted NO......send e-mail or see bio The House voted 237-185 to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide shareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation and to prevent perverse incentives in the compensation practices of financial institutions.
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Sun Jul 26, 2009 at 23:16:12 PM EDT
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The first in a series, I plan to outline many avenues we can take part in to enact change in South Carolina as progressives. The first starts with health care. Seeing that our U.S. senators and congressman are going to take a vacation, I suggest we remind them than doctor visits, medication refills, and hospital bills do not. This is not the time to break from work when others can't even find it. These elected leaders have health insurance while millions and millions do not. Is it fair? No. Is it right? No. So, why do we allow it? It's time to to do your part. The far right has control with their fear machine running 24/7 - the only place with permanent jobs. Jobs used to scare us into voting national social issues of local economy worries. I urge all readers to escape the fear of being a progressive in this state. Don't hide your Democratic values or feelings anymore. The GOP has controlled this state long enough. It's time to end it. And to do it we need effort, work and horsepower. I ask you to hold house meet-ups in your neighborhoods. Discuss the health care issue that faces us. One by one, call your senators and representatives. Talk to the office personnel. Hang up, pass the phone and do it over. Make notes of your calls, then write letters to the newspapers during these weeks of vacation the elected leaders enjoy. Hold forums and invite the senators, congressmen and local party officials to them. If they do not show, have a nametag in the spot and take a picture. Post it and share. If they do attend, show support for health care insurance reform. Show them it affects us. Tell the stories, show the pain and make a difference. Let's get up on this and not let off. The year 2010 is not far away. Getting experience now will benefit us later when we work to turn our state BLUE.
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Fri Jul 24, 2009 at 16:53:36 PM EDT
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Mount Pleasant Democrat and U.S. Air Force Colonel Robert Burton is reportedly considering challenging Republican incumbent Henry Brown for the First Congressional District seat next year.
Burton, who currently serves as Chief of Combat Operations, NORAD (Continental Region), previously served as a South Carolina Housing, Finance, and Development Authority Commissioner from 1999-2003. In 1998, he ran for S.C. Adjutant General, winning the Democratic primary, but falling short in the general election against Republican Stan Spears.
Burton's military background will be an attractive draw to many voters in the First District, where he faces a potentially crowded race for the Democratic nomination. Sources tell IJ that the DCCC is courting state Rep. Leon Stavrinakis and Charleston attorney (and former state Rep.) Robert Barber to take on Brown in 2010. Charleston attorney Ashley Cooper is also said to be interested in entering the race.
Earlier this month, S.C. newcomer and former Wisconsin Republican Robert Dobbs became the first Democratic candidate to enter the race.
On the GOP side, Carroll "Tumpy" Campbell and Katherine Jenerette have both announced their intentions to challenge Brown in the Republican primary.
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Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 12:32:30 PM EDT
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Congressman Henry Brown has an op-ed in the Georgetown Times today where he runs down the Clean Energy Act, even admitting people have been calling him to support it. Many of you who called did so because you were encouraged by environmental groups to insist that I support this legislation as well. Unfortunately, what these groups failed to mention is that, in reality, the Democrat's so called "Clean Energy Act" is nothing more than a national energy tax that will result in fewer jobs and more government control over your daily lives. Since Brown wants to write in my newspaper about a bill that would make industry a lot better and help reduce carbon emissions while adding the fear of a "tax" to it, I'd like to expand on his votes for war and the money he sent overseas that could of helped right here. According to the National Priorities Project, taxpayers in Congressional District 1 (Brown) will pay $1.2 billion for total Iraq & Afghanistan war spending (approved & pending) since 2001. Yes, that's billions. What could that money be used for instead? Let's look at what Brown neglects: - 649,020 People with Health Care for One Year - 703,065 Children with Health Care for One Year - 23,398 Elementary School Teachers for One Year - 16,131 Port Container Inspectors for One year - 23,096 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year That's just some of the resources that could benefit from war money. The same money we still have to pay back irregardless. But I guess spending it overseas for a war by choice and a war that should have been the only war to begin with is more sufficient than taking care of your own people. Don't worry, Brown knows you're hurting. I just don't think he cares. I know that many of you in the First District are hurting financially. Once again, gasoline prices are on the rise and utility rates threaten to go higher; posing an even greater hardship on your families. It seems that everyone is looking for the answers to these problems and the challenges we face in terms of energy, but I tell you, this legislation is not the solution. I guess your party's answer of 100 nuclear reactors is the answer we are looking for? And you conveniently name it the "American Energy Act" to make sound so pretty and patriotic. Give me a break. There is already an American Clean Energy and Security Act in place, as promoted by the WWF: The American Clean Energy and Security Act, released on March 31, 2009, in draft form by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA). This is a major first step toward a strong cap and trade bill that will cut emissions, jumpstart a new clean energy economy, and strengthen the ability of the Obama administration to negotiate a fair and effective global climate deal this December in Copenhagen. Your bill, Brown, is more of the tired, played-out rhetoric from the past: he Bush-Cheney Energy Plan Was A Failure Under The Bush Energy Plan, U.S. Became More Dependent On Imported Oil From OPEC Countries. According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. petroleum imports from OPEC countries increased from an average of 168,157 barrels a month in 2001 to 181,729 barrels a month in 2008. [Energy Information Administration, accessed 6/10/09] Under The Bush Energy Plan, Average Household Energy Costs Rose Over $1,100. According to a report conducted by the Center for American Progress: "Former President George W. Bush's energy policies, which today's conservatives would continue, plowed billions of dollars of subsidies into dirty energy while neglecting clean energy reform. What effect did this have on American families? Spiraling gasoline and electricity prices, a nation more dependent on oil and coal, and more pollution than ever before. Bush oversaw a lackluster economic expansion even before the Bush recession of December 2007. Over this period, the typical annual American household expenditure on electricity rose more than $170, and the typical annual American expenditure on gasoline rose more than $960 (in 2007 dollars). Note that the gasoline price increases listed here do not include the unprecedented $147 per barrel of oil and $4.11 gasoline prices that occurred in the summer of 2008." [Center for American Progress, "The Bill From Bush's Broken Energy System," April 2009; emphasis added] Yet That's Exactly What House Republicans Are Proposing | House GOP | President Bush | | HOUSE GOP PLAN: Increase Oil Drilling In the Outer Continental Shelf. According to a summary of the House Republicans' American Energy Act: "The bill increases the supply of American energy by immediately moving forward with a leasing program on the already open [Outer Continental Shelf] OCS. The bill also simplifies and harmonizes the OCS mileage restrictions, expanding state territorial waters to 12 miles offshore (most state borders stop at three miles) and gives coastal states a share of the receipts from such energy exploration. A portion of the revenues created by OCS exploration would go to a renewable energy trust fund to pay for a variety of renewable, alternative and advanced energy programs." [American Energy Act Summary, accessed 6/10/09] | BUSH PLAN: Increase Oil Drilling In the Outer Continental Shelf. President Bush said: "This morning, I asked Democratic Congressional leaders to move forward with four steps to expand American oil and gasoline production. First, we should expand American oil production by increasing access to the outer continental shelf or OSC. Experts believe that the OCS could produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That would be enough to match the current oil production America for almost 10 years. The problem is that congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS since the early 1980's. Since then, advances in technology have made it possible to conduct oil exploration in the OCS that is out of sight, protects coral reefs and habitats, and protects against oil spills. With these advances, and a dramatic increase in oil prices, Congressional restrictions on exploration have become outdated and counterproductive. Republicans in congress have proposed several promising bills that would lift the legislative ban on oil exploration in the OCS. I call on the House and Senate to pass good legislation as soon possible." [President Bush statement, 6/18/08] | | HOUSE GOP PLAN: Expedite Construction Of More Oil Refineries. According to a summary of the House Republicans' American Energy Act: "The bill increases American supplies of gasoline and diesel by encouraging greater refinery capacity by streamlining and accelerating the refinery permitting process. The bill also requires the President to designate at least three closed military installations as potentially suitable for construction of a refinery, including at least one suitable for refining biomass to produce biofuel." [American Energy Act Summary, accessed 6/10/09] | BUSH PLAN: Expedite Construction Of More Oil Refineries. President Bush said: "We need to expand and enhance our refining capacity. Refineries are the critical link between crude oil and the gasoline and diesel fuel that drivers put in their tanks. Recent changes in the makeup of our fuel supply, upgrades in our refining capacity are urgently needed. Yet it has been nearly 30 years since our nation built a new refinery, and lawsuits and red tape have made it extremely costly to expand and modify existing refineries ... So today I am proposing measures to expedite the refinery permitting process. Under the reform process that I propose, challenges to refineries and other energy projects permits must be brought before the DC circuit court of appeals within 60 days of the issuance of a permit decision. Congress should also empower the secretary of energy to establish binding deadlines for permit decisions and to ensure that the various levels of approval required in the refinery permitting process are handled in a timely way." [President Bush statement, 6/18/08] | | HOUSE GOP PLAN: Build More Nuclear Power Plants. According to a summary of the House Republicans' American Energy Act: "The bill reinforces a commitment to protect public health and safety while providing for an accelerated regulatory process for new nuclear applications where there is a design already certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); a site already licensed for operating reactors; an operator in good standing with the NRC; and a full and complete Combined Operations and Construction License application. This bill also lowers construction costs by suspending import tariffs and duties on imported nuclear components for five years if there is no domestic manufacturer. The bill also provides a long-term solution for spent nuclear fuel. The legislation allows the NRC to finish its review of the Yucca Mountain repository without political interference, and repeals its 70,000 metric ton limitation, letting science and technology dictate how much the repository can safely hold. The bill also provides for recycling of spent nuclear fuel, thereby decreasing the demand for storage space at Yucca Mountain and amounts accumulating." [American Energy Act Summary, accessed 6/10/09] | BUSH PLAN: Build More Nuclear Power Plants. During a weekly radio address, President Bush said: "Nuclear power generates large amounts of low-cost electricity without emitting air pollution or greenhouse gases. Yet nuclear power now produces only about 20 percent of America's electricity. It has the potential to play an even greater role. For example, over the past three decades, France has built 58 nuclear power plants and now gets more than 78 percent of its electricity from nuclear power. Yet here in America, we have not ordered a new nuclear powerplant since the 1970s. So last summer, I signed energy legislation that offered incentives to encourage the building of new nuclear plants in America. Our goal is to start the construction of new nuclear power plants by the end of this decade." [President Bush's Weekly Radio Address, 2/18/08] | | HOUSE GOP PLAN: Open The Arctic For Drilling. According to a summary of the House Republicans' American Energy Act: "The bill increases American energy by opening the Arctic Coastal Plain to exploration in an environmentally-sound manner, which could provide an additional 1 million barrels of oil per day. The bill requires timely lease sales, provides for revenue sharing with the State, designates a fund to mitigate the effects of exploration and development and provide for local community support, and devotes a portion of the revenues for a renewable energy trust fund to pay for renewable, alternative and advanced energy programs." [American Energy Act Summary, accessed 6/10/09] | BUSH PLAN: Open The Arctic For Drilling. During a question and answer session in Florida, President Bush said: "I thought you were going to ask, how come we don't have the gas pipeline coming down yet, because there's a lot of untapped oil and gas up there that can be explored in environmentally friendly ways. And I think we ought to be drilling in ANWR--it's called ANWR. I know we can do it and protect the environment at the same time. And I know there's a lot of untapped gas up there that we ought to get down through pipeline as well. I don't know where all the oil goes coming out of the pipeline now. I'll try to find out for you." [Bush Press Conference, 5/9/06] | | HOUSE GOP PLAN: Increase Production Of Oil Shale. According to a summary of the House Republicans' American Energy Act: "It is estimated that more than 70 percent of American oil shale lies on federal lands which contain an estimated 1.23 trillion barrels of oil, more than 50 times the nation's proven conventional oil reserves. The bill codifies the oil shale lease program and restores leasing activities that were already underway prior to being halted in February 2009, by the current Administration. The bill mandates that a lease sale be held within 180 days of enactment." [American Energy Act Summary, accessed 6/10/09] | BUSH PLAN: Increase Production Of Oil Shale. While speaking to the Coalition for Affordable American Energy, President Bush said, "Congress can do some more. Once they solve this problem, they can allow us to drill in northern Alaska, which we can do in environmentally friendly ways. They should allow us to tap into the extraordinary potential of oil shale. And we need to expand our refining capacity here in America." [Bush Remarks in EEOB, 8/12/08] |
Soucre: Media Matters
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Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 22:20:11 PM EDT
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 There's a new Facebook effort to draft state Rep. Leon Stavrinakis to challenge Rep. Henry Brown. Linda Ketner recently announced she is not running for the SC-01 congressional seat again. She has, however, softened Brown up nicely for a 2010 opponent, handing him "the lowest winning percentage of his Congressional career," according to Roll Call.
The Draft Leon Stavrinakis for US Congress in 2010 Facebook group has over a dozen members, including a few former Ketner staffers and a spy, otherwise known as SCHotline editor Jeffrey Sewell. BTW, the group should not be confused with the group trying to draft the state rep to run for governor. Stavrinakis says he'll make a decision about entering the race in the next month. He's supposed to be making the rounds in Washington next week while he makes a decision.
Roll Call also says Robert Burton, a vet that served as the commissioner for the South Carolina Finance and Development Authority, could also be mulling a bid.  Plus, Republicans with funny names smell blood in the water. Someone else has a dog in this fight, too: the DCCC, which is said to be targeting Brown.
Either way, I wouldn't want to be Henry Brown in 2010, or any year, for that matter. It will be interesting to see who takes center stage, who exits stage left, and who gets hired to work on the latest campaign.
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Tue Jun 09, 2009 at 07:53:50 AM EDT
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( - promoted by Tim Kelly)
Today was supposed to be a great day. I have been working extremely hard to get a new brand of leadership elected as mayor in the city of Georgetown. I voted today - third person in my precinct - and came away happy knowing I cast a vote for a strong woman to lead us for four years. However, another strong woman has broken my heart. 1st Congressional Democratic candidate Linda Ketner announced that she will not run in 2010. This is truly a shocker to me. I know for a fact that Ketner is not a run-of-the-mill politician. Her involvement in our community and in running for a congressional seat made a lot of people sweat - even Henry Brown. To read more about this, visit here for the e-mail she sent out.
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Sun May 31, 2009 at 13:39:36 PM EDT
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Eleven people are reported sick by the Sun News after attending a GOPher Brown event Thursday night in Myrtle Beach. About 600 people attended the event. I guess they thought I was attending. The menu was simple enough: cole slaw, baked beans, barbecue and a bird that was said to be quail. Quail? Give me a break. We go from having a person burn Smokey's forests to possibly serving tainted food to his supporters. Um, thanks for the support? UPDATE: Let me just say I do not believe it was done intentionally. I do, however, think it will be a fitting notion for Brown to offer to pay for doctor visits, if accrued. We all know that he has the warchest to do it. And, they are his supporters. The illness, which causes sudden queasiness, is being tracked by the department, said DHEC spokesman Thom Berry.No hospitalizations have been required, Berry said. DHEC officials have determined that all of the known cases of illness were in people who attended an event Thursday night for U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., but the illness has not been positively linked to that event. The exact cause of the illness is not known. Berry said testing is being done to determine whether it was food poisoning or a quick-moving virus that strikes quickly in large crowds.
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