House committee approves sprinkler incentive bill

Taxpayers could get credits if they retrofit their homes and businesses with fire sprinkler systems under a measure heading to the House floor.

The bill notes that fire sprinklers greatly reduce property loss and the chances of someone dying in a fire.

The proposal, which gives up to $50,000 in tax credits to offset the cost of buying and installing fire sprinklers, was approved today by the House Ways and Means Committee. It allows taxpayers to offset up to 80 percent of the cost, with up to $10,000 in tax credits yearly for five years.

The legislation, sponsored by House Speaker Bobby Harrell, comes more than six months after a furniture store fire in Charleston killed nine firefighters. The store did not have sprinklers.

A separate bill introduced by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell would give up to a $5,000 tax credit for installing sprinkler systems in commercial buildings. The legislative leaders, both Charleston Republicans, have said they don’t want to mandate sprinklers because the cost could put small business owners out of business.

Gov. Sanford unveils DUI video

Gov. Mark Sanford today unveiled a YouTube video about the dangers of drunk driving to push the General Assembly to pass a DUI reform bill that stalled last session.

Watch the video:

Excerpts from Obama's speech Saturday

From The Associated Press:

Excerpts of Democrat Barack Obama's speech after winning Saturday's South Carolina primary, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions.
———
Over two weeks ago, we saw the people of Iowa proclaim that our time for change has come. But there were those who doubted this country's desire for something new, who said Iowa was a fluke, not to be repeated again.
Well, tonight, the cynics who believed that what began in the snows of Iowa was just an illusion were told a different story by the good people of South Carolina.
After four — after four great contests, in every corner of this country, we have the most votes, the most delegates and the most diverse coalition of Americans that we've seen in a long, long time.
You can see it in the faces here tonight. There are young and old, rich and poor. They are black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American.
They are Democrats from Des Moines and independents from Concord and, yes, some Republicans from rural Nevada. And we've got young people all across this country who have never had a reason to participate until now.
And in nine days, in nine short days, nearly half the nation will have the chance to join us in saying that we are tired of business as usual in Washington. We are hungry for change and we are ready to believe again.
———
Make no mistake about what we're up against. We're up against the belief that it's all right for lobbyists to dominate our government, that they are just part of the system in Washington.
But we know that the undue influence of lobbyists is part of the problem and this election is our chance to say that we are not going to let them stand in our way anymore.
We're up against the conventional thinking that says your ability to lead as president comes from longevity in Washington or proximity to the White House. But we know that real leadership is about candor and judgment and the ability to rally Americans from all walks of life around a common purpose, a higher purpose.
We're up against decades of bitter partisanship that cause politicians to demonize their opponents instead of coming together to make college affordable or energy cleaner. It's the kind of partisanship where you're not even allowed to say that a Republican had an idea, even if it's one you never agreed with.
That's the kind of politics that is bad for our party, it is bad for our country, and this is our chance to end it once and for all.
We're up against the idea that it's acceptable to say anything and do anything to win an election. But we know that this is exactly what's wrong with our politics. This is why people don't believe what their leaders say anymore. This is why they tune out.
And this election is our chance to give the American people a reason to believe again.
———
The change we seek has always required great struggle and great sacrifice. And so this is a battle in our own hearts and minds about what kind of country we want and how hard we're willing to work for it.
So let me remind you tonight that change will not be easy. Change will take time. There will be setbacks and false starts and sometimes we'll make mistakes.
But as hard as it may seem, we cannot lose hope, because there are people all across this great nation who are counting on us, who can't afford another four years without health care, that can't afford another four years without good schools, that can't afford another four years without decent wages because our leaders couldn't come together and get it done.
———
The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It's not about rich versus poor, young versus old. And it is not about black versus white.
This election is about the past versus the future. It's about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today or whether we reach for a politics of common sense and innovation, a politics of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity.
There are those who will continue to tell us that we can't do this, that we can't have what we're looking for, that we can't have what we want, that we're peddling false hopes.
———
Don't tell me we can't change.
Yes, we can. Yes, we can change. Yes, we can.
Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can seize our future. And as we leave this great state with a new wind at our backs and we take this journey across this great country, a country we love, with the message we carry from the plains of Iowa to the hills of New Hampshire, from the Nevada desert to the South Carolina coast, the same message we had when we were up and when we were down, that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we will hope.
And where we are met with cynicism and doubt and fear and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the American people in three simple words: Yes, we can.
Thank you, South Carolina. I love you.

Statement from Hillary Clinton

"I have called Senator Obama to congratulate him and wish him well.

"Thank you to the people of

South Carolina

who voted today and welcomed me into their homes over the last year. Your stories will stay with me well beyond this campaign and I am grateful for the support so many of you gave to me.

"We now turn our attention to the millions of Americans who will make their voices heard in

Florida

and the twenty-two states as well as

American Samoa

who will vote on February 5th.

"In the days ahead, I'll work to give voice to those who are working harder than ever to be heard. For those who have lost their job or their home or their health care, I will focus on the solutions needed to move this country forward. That's what this election is about. It's about our country, our hopes and dreams. Our families and our future."

Edwards workers wait and hope

Melodie Hunnicutt of Columbia was one of the early John Edwards supporters in the crowd at Jillian's, mostly occupied by media at 7 p.m. She was looking for someone to give a campagin contribution to, hoping that the results tonight will provide some traction for the Edwards campaign; she remained hopeful, "because it really is early on."

Hunnicut, a longtime fan of Edwards, thinks he's geniune and looks out for the working poor.

"This is my night to be part of hurrah, however far it goes."

Columbia Mayor Coble was one of first guests to arrive in the VIP room,  Jillian's video game room repurposed for the campaign rally Ad executive Marvin Chernoff, who held fund-raisers for Edwards, was hoping Edwards will come in second. "He'd make a great attorney general," Chernoff said.

CNN projected by 7:30 p.m. the Hillary Clinton would come in second.

At Clinton watch party, quiet

About 40 to 50 Hillary Clinton supporters and campaign workers gathered at Elements Nightlife, quietly watching as CNN projected Barack Obama at the winner of the South Carolina Democratic primary.

Almost as many media were at the Vista club.

After hearing about Obama's win, one supporter, who traveled from Florence, said, "That's not good."

UPDATE: A long line to see Obama

A line of people trying to get into the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, where the campaign for Barack Obama is holding a rally after the polls close, extends almost to the entrance of the Colonial Center. Slowly their entry is the tight security: six metal detectors manned by Transportation Safety Administration officials are being used on all everyone, including the hundreds of media.

Dozens of satellite trucks are parked outside the venue, and metal detectors are being set up to screen people for the post-voting rally. Heavy security has surround Obama, the Illinois senator hoping to get the Democratic presidential nomination. This could be the biggest throng of media in Columbia in recent years.

And they'll all be gone tomorrow.

Election day update 6 p.m. Lexington turnout strong

Dean Crepes, Lexington County registration and elections director said turnout was heavy, but he had a feeling it would be like this.

Poll workers in Chapin, for instance, expected up to 150 voters Saturday, but had more than 200 arrive by late afternoon, Crepes said. "That's why I gave them extra machines."

Population growth in Lexington County is partly causing the larger turnout, Crepes said. But there also appears to be a lot of excitement about this year's presidential race.

"I have a feeling come November we're going to have a flood," Crepes said.

Election update 4:30 p.m. Turnout in Richland precincts

Random polling reports:
-- At the Ward 6 precinct at Bradley Elementary School, about 400 people had voted by 3 p.m., indicating a good turnout.
-- Ward 32, set up at the Drew Wellness Center, also reported steady voting -- 154 voted by 1:30 p.m.

Election day update 3:45 p.m.: Horry County turnout heavy

Based on reports from Horry County's precincts, voter turnout is heavy, said Sandy Martin, the county's registration and elections director.

By midday the weather started clearing, which seemed to help.

"It was raining and nasty this morning, Martin said. "It started clearing up at about lunch."
Most importantly, no polling stations reported any problems with their voting machines, Martin said.

A week ago, during the Republican Party's primary, about 20 of the 118 voting machines in the county were not properly cleared after testing, causing voters to use paper ballots and touching off a daylong media blitz.

Election day update 3:15 p.m.

By midday Florence County's traditional Democratic precincts, in downtown Florence, the North and East sides of town and in Lake City had reported strong voter turnout, said Michael Young, the county's registration and elections director.

Meanwhile, voting traffic in the traditionally Republican precincts had been slower, Young said. Overall, though, the day has been running smoothly. All polling stations opened on time. The temperature is cool, but the sun was out which was helping it feel more comfortable outside, Young said.

Strong turnout at Pawleys Island precincts

From The Sun News in Myrtle Beach:

"When we opened the door at 7 o'clock, there must have been at least 10 people out there," said Waccamaw Neck Library poll worker Phyllis Bieger.

Bieger's fellow Pawleys Island poll workers said they were delighted with the consistent crowd of voters. They estimated their turnout to be around 100 voters shortly before 10 a.m.

Voters chilled at Richland County precinct?

At midday, Richland County precincts were reporting good turn out and no major problems, said Mike Cinnamon, the county's election director.

Earlier in the day, a poll manager at North Springs Elementary School on Clemson Road, was limiting the number of voters allowed inside to five at a time.

Cinnamon said the poll manager thought he was keeping order but quickly was told he couldn't keep people out in the cold. He had to figure out a way to allow everyone to wait inside.

The only other issue to occur were some questions regarding the rules regulating what the poll watchers working with the various campaigns are allowed to do at each polling place. Those are more procedural issues, and have not interfered with any voters ability to cast ballots, Cinnamon said.

Clinton watch party details

There's no word on whether Sen. Hillary Clinton plans to be in the Palmetto State by the time polls close.
With or without Clinton, her South Carolina campaign volunteers and supporters will gather for an election night party at Element, 700B Gervais St.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

The Associated Press reported this morning that Hillary Clinton stopped by a Shoney's restaurant to shake hands and meet with supporters. Former President Bill Clinton visited a Columbia voting precinct.

Election day update, 1 p.m.

Barack Obama arrived unannounced at Benedict College at about 10:30 a.m. and got a hero’s welcome. According to poll worker Elise Martin, the students “devoured him” as he walked through the crowd, shaking hands.

Angela Young, 22, of Columbia, said she voted for Obama. “He appealed to me on a personal level because he’s where I have been.”

Obama later stopped at Harper’s Restaurant in Five Points, where he spent about 30 minutes greeting the lunch crowd. He shook hands with nearly every person in the restaurant, including elementary school art teachers Katie Hopper, 28, and Cindy Bowie, 34.

Hopper said she was incredibly nervous talking to Obama. “He touched my hand. I called him ma’am.”

Bowie, who teaches at the predominately black South Kilbourne Elementary, said she was thrilled to meet Obama. “He is someone who is going to make a big difference in my students’ future.”

Obama left the restaurant and went to the SCETV office to talk with national media members.

_ Jeff Wilkinson

At Ward 1 at the Capital Senior Center in Columbia, poll workers reported low turnout through 1 p.m. But those who showed up were remarkably young, female and African American, according to veteran poll workers. _ Marjorie Riddle

Election day update, 12:15 p.m.

Democratic candidate John Edwards’ Main Street Express bus showed up at the Greenview precinct in Columbia at 11:37 p.m. and created quite an uproar. Edwards backers lined one side of the street, holding up campaign signs.

Several local leaders -- including Rep. Leon Howard, Rep. Chris Hart and Mayor Bob Coble -- joined Edwards briefly on the bus. (Howard later described the interior as plush.) Hordes of media waited outside for Edwards’ appearance -- from as far away as Australia, South Korea and Los Angeles. There even was a team from Cosmo Girl magazine.

“If we could just get all the media to vote for John, he’s win,” Howard said. When Edwards left the bus and entered the park building where people were voting, the media crowded around him, at one point knocking over a table.

Edwards shook hands with several voters. When he returned outside, Edwards shook hands with Dr. Albert Reid, who was wearing a Hillary Clinton sticker. Reid said he already had voted for Clinton, but he stuck around when he saw Edwards bus, hoping to meet him. Edwards, looking casual in blue jeans and gray sweater, simply said “Pleasure to see you.”

Among the first-time voters at Greenview was 18-year-old Keith Rawlinson. He said he couldn’t wait to vote and he cast his ballot for Barack Obama because “we need change, that’s what I think.” He was accompanied by his mother, Keta Rawlinson. “I’m so proud of him,” she said. “Wow, first time.”

  --Dawn Hinshaw

Meanwhile, over at Ward 33 in Martin Luther King Park, poll workers said about one-eighth of the registered voters had cast ballots by noon. The voters were predominantly African American, with a nearly equal split between men and women and people of all ages. A steady stream of voters was showing up, but the only time there were lines was at 7 a.m. when the doors first opened.

_ Marjorie Riddle

Election day update, 11:15 a.mn

Pollsters say the young vote is leaning toward Barack Obama. At Ward 8 in Columbia, they also appear to be leaning toward sleeping late.

As of 11:15 a.m., about 100 people had voted at the Swinton Center on Benedict College’s campus. That’s a much smaller percentage of registered voters than have turned out a few miles away at Greenview Park. Poll workers said it’s not unusual for the college kids to vote later than residential voters.

The turnout so far had about as many men as women. As might be expected, it has been mostly African American and mostly young.

_ Marjorie Riddle

Horry County vote going smoothly

As the first ballots were cast at 7 a.m. this morning, Horry County officials reported no problems with voting machines in the South Carolina Democratic Primary, the Sun News reports this morning.

By 8:30 a.m. officials at several polling sites also reported no problems.

"Everything is going wonderful," said Sandy Martin, Horry County's registration and elections director. "It's definitely going better this week."

Poll workers at several area sites also reported good turnout among voters.

"We've already got more people now than we had by 10 o'clock last Saturday," said JoAnn Stewart, a poll worker at the Homewood precinct. "It's going perfect."

Election day update 10:30 a.m.

One reporter’s snapshot:

Poll workers report the turnout has been low at West Columbia 1 and West Columbia 3 precincts. These are two of the more Democratic-leaning precincts in Lexington County, and the cool, but precipitation-free morning weather should have been no deterrent.

More men than women had voted at West Columbia 3, and workers at West Columbia 1 reported more African Americans voting than during most elections. If you believe the pre-primary polls, that would mean West Columbia 3 is leaning toward Hillary Clinton and West Columbia 1 toward Barack Obama.

In Richland County, a predominately African American Greenview precinct, poll workers reported that nearly 25 percent of all registered voters had cast ballots by 10:30. That’s amazing considering voter turnout in some primaries doesn’t reach 25 percent all day.

Of the voters at all three precincts willing to share their choices with a reporter, about 75 percent were going with Obama.

_ Marjorie Riddle

Election day update 9 a.m.

   

    Clouds, but little or no precipitation, greeted voters in the Midlands this morning as voters flocked to the polls for the Democratic presidential primary.
    At 8 a.m., the National Weather Service reported light rain in Orangeburg and Sumter, and light rain with some sleet in North Myrtle Beach. The forecast calls for a slight chance of a little rain, possibly with a few sleet pellets or snow flakes through about noon. The wet stuff seems more likely closer to the coast.
    The weather today is much better than the cold, consistent rain that greeted voters in the Republican primary last week. Temperature are expected to rise into the mid to upper 40s.
    At the usually heavily Republican Cromer precinct in Lexington County, voters were waiting outside when poll workers arrived at 6:30. By 8:15, more than 40 people had voted. The poll manager said that was more than had voted at that point last week, but he indicated people waited until later in the day last week, apparently hoping the weather would clear.

Snow day for voters

    Just to be fair, Mother Nature is threatening the Democrats with winter weather, too. The National Weather Service forecast calls for a chance of snow flurries overnight and early in the morning in the Midlands. No accumulation is expected, and the weather Saturday should be much nicer than the cold rain and snow threat during last Saturday's Republican primary.
    There's a chance of sleet overnight in some portions of the Lowcountry, and snow and/or sleet is a possibility for the Upstate.
    The weather is unlikely to have much impact on voter turnout. The wet stuff, what little might fall, should be out of the state by mid-morning at the latest. The afternoon should see clear skies and highs in the 40s.
_ Joey Holleman

Edwards: Look for a 'surprise' in vote

Former N.C. Sen. John Edwards said he thinks there is an " opportunity for a surprise"  in Saturday's Democratic presidential primary.

"We've got a lot of energy and momentum right now," he told a crowd of about 200 people today at a young voters' rally in Columbia.

Edwards, who campaigned in Greenville earlier today, said he does not have to drop out of the 2008 race for the White House if he loses in South Carolina.

Vowing to "never turn his back on my home state," Edwards said he is "working for every vote, black and white."

The Seneca native drew a large press corps to the Columbia event, where he said he also is seeing larger and more enthusiastic crowds around the state, heading into his last day of campaigning in the Palmetto State.

Polls show Edwards moving up in S.C. Surveys, though he remains in third place in virtually all the polls.

Edwards took the opportunity to distinguish himself from his two opponents, criticizing Sen. Hillary Clinton for leaving the state after this week's debate in Myrtle Beach, saying, "If she discounts South Carolina before the election, what do you think she is going to do after the election?"
-- Roddie Burris

UPDATED: Obama's top 10 list on Letterman

Sen. Barack Obama is making some campaign promises we can be pretty sure he won't keep.
   Appearing Thursday on the "Late Show With David Letterman," the Democratic presidential candidate delivered a tongue-in-cheek list of his top 10 campaign promises, including a pledge to rename the tenth month of the year "Barack-tober."
   Also on the list is a vow to "appoint Mitt Romney secretary of lookin' good" and another to "put Regis on the nickel."
   And the No. 1 campaign promise?
   "Three words: Vice President Oprah."
   Obama, the latest in a string of candidates to show up on Letterman's show, appeared just briefly to deliver the night's list. Earlier this week, candidate John Edwards came on the show only to have his carefully coifed hair messed up by the host.
   On Thursday, Obama joked that Lettermen couldn't repeat that prank, telling him: "you can't muss my hair."
   -- The Associated Press

Watch the video here:

Clemson poll: Obama leads; Clinton, Edwards tied

With only two days remaining before Saturday's SC Democratic presidential primary, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama holds a seven-point lead over U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, who are in a statistical tie.

The Palmetto Poll, conducted by Clemson University, shows Obama at 27 percent support, Clinton at 20 percent support and Edwards at 17 percent support. The margin of error is 4.5 percentage points.

Voters are still either unsure about who they will support or reserving the right to change their minds. Forty percent are undecided. Roughly a quarter, 26 percent, say they are open to changing their mind and shifting their support to another candidate.

The Palmetto Poll was conducted between Jan. 15 and 23. Respondents were chosen for the sample if they voted in at least one of the past four Democratic primaries.

Sun News endorsement: Clinton

The editorial board at the Sun News in Myrtle Beach, a sister paper, released its endorsement on its Web site today.

The editorial board endorsed Hillary Clinton for Saturday's Democratic primary:

"...if the 2008 presidential election is to be a contest over the government's future purpose, as it should be, an untested candidate of "change" is the wrong person to carry out the Democratic side of the argument. What's needed is a sharp, savvy, highly skilled politician with a demonstrated grasp of our governmental system: Sen. Hillary Clinton."

Read the entire endorsement here:

Bill Clinton gets advice in Lexington

Former President Bill Clinton got some advice Thursday from an audience member during a Q&A in Lexington.

While the unidentified audience member said she liked Hillary Clinton and was impressed with her knowledge of the issues, "I simply want her to stop taking the bait from (Barack) Obama."

Clinton nodded. "That's probably good advice for me too."
"When you love somebody and you think they'd be good (in office), it's harder," Clinton said, noting that seeing his wife criticized has been more difficult than being criticized himself during past runs.
During Thursday's event, Bill Clinton took no jabs at Democratic rival Obama, instead answering questions about alternate energy sources, Social Security, education and the economy.

The event comes on the heels of back and forth attacks between the Clinton and Obama camps including negative TV ads. Obama's campaign has set up a "S.C. Truth Squad" to respond to attacks made by Clinton while Bill Clinton has said he is raising legitimate points about Obama.

VIDEO: Stephen Colbert and Mark Sanford

This video is making the rounds, from Monday night's "The Colbert Report":

Tonight Comedian Stephen Colbert, named South Carolina's "favorite son," will have a segment featuring sand castles designed for the Republican and Democratic debates in Myrtle Beach on his show, according to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

He'll show footage of the Republican and Democratic sand sculptures being destroyed, as well as a shot of a sculpture of his own face, specially built in Myrtle Beach for the show.

"The Colbert Report" airs at 11:30  p.m., on  Time-Warner cable channel  57.

Where Bill Clinton's campaigning Thursday

Former President Bill Clinton will meet with voters at Gibson Commons Conference Center in Lexington at 140 Gibson Road, Suite C, the campaign confirmed Wednesday.

Clinton will spend the day in South Carolina campaigning for his wife, Hillary Clinton. The former president will also make stops in Orangeburg, Walterboro and Barnwell.

Competing radio ads on GOP 'ideas' issues

The campaign for Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama angrily objected to an radio ad launched Wednesday by the Hillary Clinton campaign that uses comments Obama made about Republicans having  "the party of ideas."

Obama told a Nevada newspaper that 15 years ago it was the Republicans who had the fresh ideas, making a point about how Democrats needed to get the electorate excited about new ideas and change.

In the ad, audio of Obama saying the Republicans were the party of ideas is played. Then an announcer chimes in with "Really." The announcer then ticks off a litany of "wrong ideas" that now has the nation on the brink of recession and being stalked by a housing crisis.

Former Gov. Jim Hodges, an Obama supporter, said the Clintons are distorting Obama's words  in an all out effort to win the state's first-in-the South primary.

Clinton left South Carolina to concentrate on state’s voting during the Feb. 5 Tsunami Tuesday, when 70 million Americans will vote in two dozen states. Some interpreted this as a sign Clinton is abandoning the state, conceding it to Obama who leads by double digits in recent polling.

This ad “indicates they are in it to win it,” Hodges said.  “But they want to win it at all costs.”

Listen to the ads to judge for yourself:

Listen to Hillary Clinton's ad Listen to Barack Obama's response ad

Stephen Colbert sand sculpture?

From the Sun News today:
The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce had a sand sculpture built Monday night to squeeze one last drop from the deluge of publicity its presidential sand sculptures brought to town.

Although it bore a striking resemblance to one-time presidential hopeful, Comedy Central personality and Charleston native Stephen Colbert, those in the know were sworn to silence about the sculpture, including whether or when it will be shown on a cable TV network.

"I'm supposed to tell you I can neither confirm or deny the existence of said sculpture," said chamber President Brad Dean on Tuesday, about an hour after a Myrtle Beach fire crew demolished the sculpted face. "I hate to be evasive, but we've been asked to do that."

Myrtle Beach city officials, said they knew little about the project, including the city's fire department, which sent an engine to the private lot off Little River Road to hose down the face.

"The Colbert Report" airs at 11:30 p.m. weeknights.

Edwards on Letterman

    John Edwards scored publicity points Tuesday night, showing a sense of humor while bantering for nearly seven minutes with David Letterman. "I'm thinkin' you can do for me what Oprah's done for Barack," Edwards said.
    Edwards also drew laughs from the audience with his description of Monday night's heated debate, when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama went after each other. "I was trying to represent the grownup wing of the Democratic party," Edwards said.
    The South Carolina native also agreed with Letterman's low opinion of commentator Bill O'Reilly's truthfulness. Edwards even took it a step further by saying sometimes what O'Reilly says is "crap." "I like how you think, Senator," Letterman said.
    And the talk show host finished the interview by asking permission and then mussing Edwards' hair.
Earlier Tuesday, during a taping of "The Tyra Banks Show," Edwards discussed feeling like a minority in the campaign, reports The Associated Press.
   "It's hard to be heard," he said. "... We have a couple of candidates who are good candidates but they get an enormous amount of attention and publicity, and they've got enormous amounts of money. The result is I have to really work to be heard."
   Edwards said that when he is heard "people understand I have this personal energy and passion for what it is I'm trying to do, whether it's health care, creating jobs, doing the things that need to be done for the country."

CNN scores with Dem debate

From The Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) — Political combat continues to hold the interest of television viewers, with Monday's Democratic debate on CNN setting a standard as most-watched debate ever in cable news.
   An estimated 4.9 million people watched Monday's show from Myrtle Beach, which featured contentious exchanges between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. It eclipsed CNN's Nov. 28 debate with Republican candidates, which had nearly 4.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.
   Cable still doesn't have the reach of broadcast TV, however: ABC's prime-time Democratic debate on Jan. 5 before the New Hampshire primary was seen by 9.36 million people, Nielsen said.
   Seven of the 10 most-watched primary debates in cable TV history are from this election cycle. Such debates have been shown on cable TV since 1996.

All-terrain vehicle bills

    Legislators appear to be tripping over each other trying to improve all-terrain vehicle safety, with five different bills working their way through the system.
    Two of the bills hit roadblocks Tuesday in the House Agriculture Subcommittee. After about 20 minutes of discussion on each bill, debate was adjourned on both H.4322 and H.4342.
     “We do want to revisit this issue,” said Rep. Laurie Slade Funderburk, D-Kershaw. “I just don’t know if these bills are the proper vehicle.”
    For two years, the legislature has passed ATV safety bills only to have them vetoed by Gov. Mark Sanford. Each year, the vetos were upheld. A copy of that bill, named Chandler’s Law after Chandler Saylor, who died in an ATV accident in 2003, has been reintroduced as S.797. Still in the Legislature are two similar bills, S.812 and H.3622.
    Rep. Kris Crawford, R-Florence, introduced H.4342, which says anyone ineligible for a driver’s license or permit can’t drive an ATV. That means anyone younger than 15 or anyone older than 15 who has had his or her license revoked.
    Crawford, a physician, bemoaned the number of children showing up in emergency rooms with serious injuries from ATV accidents. But subcommittee members had serious problems with the bill’s restrictions and, especially, its penalties. The bill would allow law enforcement to confiscate ATVs driven by anyone under 15.
    “We’re talking about children in the state and what we do and do not allow them to do,” Crawford said, comparing riding an ATV to drinking alcohol.
     Rep. David Hiott, R-Pickens, couldn’t imagine telling his constituents that their youngsters can’t ride ATVs. “Little Johnny’s been driving an all-terrain vehicle all his life,” Hiott said. “And I’m going to tell his parents they can’t let him anymore?”
     The committee members greeted the other bill with a little more enthusiasm. Rep. Herb Kirsh, D-York, admitted he copied his bill straight from a N.C. law. The committee members were concerned that, as written, the law would require adults to wear helmets and eye protection.
     Kirsh recognized his bill needs some fine-tuning, but he said he felt the need to do something after the recent deaths of two children in ATV accidents near his home. “I just hate to see this thing die from the two vetoes,” Kirsh said.
_ Joey Holleman

Edwards criticizes Bush on economy

U.S. Sen. John Edwards ripped into the Bush administration Tuesday for its lack of a viable economic policy to help working families.

Fresh off a high-octane debate performance Monday night in Myrtle Beach, Edwards said President Bush's response to a stagnant American economy and falling world markets has been anemic and typically late.

"I said months  ago we needed to do something about this," Edwards told a crowd in Conway this morning.

"That's what George Bush does. He waits and waits, and then when the flood comes rushing in, he acts."

Edwards, who went toe to toe with Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, received high marks for his Monday debate  performance.

He spoke to 200 or so people at the Peanut Warehouse in Conway today, before flying to New York City where he will appear on the David Letterman show tonight.

More on Obama's 'present' votes in Ill. legislature

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton hurled some accusations toward rival Barack Obama during Monday's debate, including that while in the Illinois legislature, he frequently voted "present" on hot-button issues.

Here is a link to the original article from the Chicago Tribune, published in early May, that puts that practice in context of how Democrats navigated the state legislature. Veteran Tribune statehouse reporters Rick Pearson and Ray Long filed this in-depth look at Obama's tenure in the state General Assembly, what they call "a study in complexity, caution and calculation." Obama, they find, "tempered a progressive agenda with a cold dash of realism, often forging consensus with conservative Republicans when other liberals wanted to crusade."

Horry County finishes vote count

It took almost two days, but Horry County results for the Republican presidential primary were released around noon Monday.

The final tally mirrored the rest of the state. Arizona Sen. John McCain carried Horry County with 8,406 votes, followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee with 7,265 votes and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who received 4,764 votes. Nearly 26,000 voters cast ballots, about a 20 percent turnout.

Florence County experienced the same problem with retrieving results at the end of voting as Horry County at the end of polling on Saturday night.

But Florence County was able to release its full results by 2 a.m. Sunday, seven hours after voting ended, said Mike Young, the director of elections and registration for the county. It took Horry County 36 hours.

In both counties, the voting machines were incorrectly set to close on Jan. 26, the date of the Democratic presidential primary, instead of Jan. 19, the date the Republican primary was held.

The data used to set the closing times for the machines is distributed by the S.C. State Election Commission, who has taken responsibility for the error.

"We can program our own election if we want to," Young said. "I don't have the time to do it, so we usually ask the state."

Two state election commission employees were on hand Monday to help Horry County election workers test the machines that will be used Saturday for the Democratic primary.

"It's definitely something we don't want to repeat," said Chris Whitmire, a spokesman with the state's election commission. "Especially when all the eyes of the world, and most certainly the nation, are on us."

-- Mike Cherney and Aliana Ramos, The Sun News

President Clinton to campaign for his wife in S.C.

Former President Bill Clinton will be in the state Tuesday campaigning on behalf of his wife, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton has left S.C. to campaign in other states voting during the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday primaries.

Here is President Clinton's schedule:

8:30 a.m.  

Bill Clinton will have breakfast at Lizard’s Thicket

Lizard’s Thicket

818 Elmwood Avenue

Columbia

,

SC

29201

 

10:30 a.m.

Bill Clinton will Visit and Meet with Residents in Aiken

Aiken

,

SC

 

2:30 p.m.

Bill Clinton will Visit and

Tour

West End

Community

Development

Center

at Allen Temple AME in

Greenville

109 Green Avenue

Greenville

SC

29601

Usher to campaign for Obama in S.C.

R&B singer Usher and actress Kerry Washington will tour college campuses tomorrow in South Carolina. The two will take the Stand for Change Tour to campuses across the state and meet up with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for a final rally at South Carolina State University.

Usher and Washington will encourage young voters to participate in South Carolina’s January 26^th primary and will talk about why Obama is the one candidate who can deliver change we can believe in. 

College Tour with Usher Raymond and Kerry Washington

Tues., Jan. 22, 2008

Francis Marion University

University Commons

Smith University Center

4822 E Palmetto Street

Florence, SC 29506

Benedict College

Antisdel Chapel

1600 Harden Street

Columbia, SC 29204

South Carolina State University

Rally with Sen. Barack Obama

Smith Hammond Middleton Memorial Center
South Carolina State University
300 College Street NE
Orangeburg, SC

Clyburn: Debaters need to talk about disparities tonigh

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn is calling on the Democratic presidential candidates to speak tonight about the disparities that continue to exist in American society, especially those that affect women, African Americans and the poor.

Speaking on Martin Luther King Jr's. birthday, Clyburn said he hopes U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and former  U.S. Sen. John Edwards and others will not shy away from issues that disparage certain segments of society because they worry being unfairly criticized.

"I don't think you're being anti-white when you speak about issues that have an adverse impact on black people," Clyburn said. "I don't think you're being anti-male when you speak about the wage gap that exists between people of different genders.

"Are you being anti-men because you say women ought to be paid the same as men for equal work? Are you being anti-white because you say blacks ought to have equal access to health care?"

"I don't think so."

Clyburn said he hopes the candidates tonight will have the courage to "dispel myths" that exist about certain groups in this country.

A long-time advocate of civil rights in America, Clyburn said one reason he, and even his parents, have not been respected more than they have been in fighting for equality is because people continue to buy into myths about people who are different than they. 

South Carolinians have a real opportunity in the Jan. 26 primary vote to propel a woman, or an African American, or the son of a millworker toward the U.S. presidency, Clyburn said, and the spotlight on the state has helped to cast it and its No. 1 industry, tourism, into a more positive light.

He went on to say the CNN debate tonight is directly responsible for the city of Myrtle Beach officially recognizing the federal King Holiday by giving its employees the day off.

UPDATE: More problems with voting machines?

Another update on the Horry County mess from the Sun News this morning:

More than a day after the polls closed, Horry County still could not release full results in a Republican presidential primary plagued by county and state election commission mistakes.

Officials vowed Sunday to ensure that the problems that marred the Republican primary would not be an issue for the Democratic presidential primary, slated for Saturday.

Four of the county's 118 precincts had yet to be counted late Sunday night, said Sandy Martin, the county's elections director. She expected final results to be released before noon today.

As soon as the polling began Saturday, voters started complaining about malfunctioning voting machines and emergency paper ballots that were running out. Even though the machines were eventually fixed, another problem was discovered by election officials once voting was over.

The machines' pre-programmed poll-closing time was incorrect, and technicians had to follow a multi-step procedure to manually shut them off before counting could begin. The closing date for the machines was set for Jan. 26, the date of the Democratic primary, instead of Saturday night.

Poll workers are not trained to manually close the voting machines, so they had to drive them to the elections office in Conway where technicians closed them down. Once closed, the machines print out the results.

The state election commission is responsible for sending the opening and closing data to the counties for their machines, said Garry Baum, a spokesman for the S.C. State Election Commission. He did not think a similar issue had happened in the past and did not know if it had happened elsewhere in the state on Saturday.

"All elections are prepared for a one-day election, and in this case we were preparing for two separate ones," he said. "I wouldn't use the word 'confusion,' but it was the state elections commission's responsibility."

Martin said that without the programming error by the state, the county would have been able to tabulate all the results on Saturday night. Less than half of the precincts were counted that night. Another 25 remained to be counted on Sunday.

But in the commotion of the previous evening, all the voting machines had gotten mixed up, so election officials did not know which machine came from which precinct. To match a precinct to a machine, officials needed to open up the case that holds the machine and locate the machine's serial number.

Four machines - one for each outstanding precinct - remain to be tabulated, Martin said late Sunday.

-- Mike Cherney, The Sun News

Horry County Dems worry about voting machine malfunctions

From our sister paper, The Sun News in Myrtle Beach, on its Web site today:

As members of an opposing party, Democrats may have a natural tendency to titter at the Republicans' misfortunes, but in this case local Democrats are truly concerned, said Sally Howard, a former chairwoman of the Horry County Democratic Party.

"These are the same voting machines we're supposed to use a week from now," Howard said.

"How that many machines could malfunction is really amazing to me. How do we know that next week, they're going to work next Saturday morning?"

The electronic voting machines have already been a concern to the state Democratic Party, said Joe Werner, its executive director.

The party sent the State Elections Commission a letter expressing those concerns last week, he said.

"We had hoped it wouldn't happen, but we kind of saw it happening," Werner said.

The state needs stronger regulation of its voting system to make sure that no counties have problems in the future, said U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, who was in Myrtle Beach Saturday ahead of Monday's Democratic primary debate.

"I don't care who it is or what party it is, we ought not to have all these impediments to people having an effective vote," Clyburn said.

"If people start losing confidence in the system, that's bad news."

If nothing else, a better backup plan needs to be in place, Howard said. More paper ballots should be available, and they should be easy to distribute.

Clinton campaign officials said they had yet to develop plans based on the events in Horry County.

Democrats said they had worried that, because the two parties' primaries are held a week apart, the Republicans could benefit from the fact that theirs was held first and that voters must choose only one primary to participate in.

Now, in Horry County, some Republicans turned away from their own primary may return to vote with the Democrats, Werner said.

"I'm not predicting that we'll even come close to the Republicans' turnout," Werner said. "But I think some Republicans in Horry County and in South Carolina will be voting for Democrats, because we have a better crop of candidates and because we're talking about the issues that matter to people."

-- Robert Morris, The Sun News

Election day updates 4:30 p.m.

    The polls don’t close until 7 p.m., but South Carolina shuts down when it snows. And light snow was reported at 4 p.m. in Clemson, Greenville and Rock Hill, according to the National Weather Service.
People who were waiting for a break in the weather to head to the polls might decide simply to hunker down.
    The snow line is expected to drop down across the state throughout the afternoon, reaching as far south as Columbia. About an inch is expected in the Midlands and up to three inches in the Upstate.
    Polling officials in some parts of the state said they believed turnout was heavy early because of the forecast for snow later in the day. But in reality, the weather was nasty all day.  Sites throughout the state reported steady rain, up to an inch throughout the center of the state.

Voting update: 2:30 p.m.

Turnout was steady for the Blythewood 1 precinct, with poll workers reporting roughly 15 percent of voters by 1 p.m. They said they expect even fewer voters this afternoon because of the worsening forecast.

Ward 16 poll workers at Dreher High School reported about 25 percent of voters cast their ballots by 2 p.m., which they said was a pretty good percentage considering the rain and the precinct's turnout in past primaries.

Some voters said they were having a tough time choosing a candidate without any "stellar" choices, but many in Lexington and Richland counties were either voting for John McCain or Mike Huckabee.

Election day updates 2 p.m. (Fred Thompson)

Republican candidate Fred Thompson had a light schedule on Saturday. The former Tennessee senator spent Friday night in Greenville and had breakfast there, traveled to Columbia for lunch at a Lizards Thicket, then went to the Jamil Temple for a walkthrough at a gun and knife show. Thompson shook hands with people but made no speech in a 15-minute appearance.
Asked about the cold, rainy day expected to diminish voter turnout, Thompson replied: “It’s a beautiful day. That’s just liquid sunshine.”
When vendor Art Hutchinson screamed “Yeah Fred, you da man!,” Thompson walked over to the Hutchinson’s booth and dropped $10 in a fund-raising jar. Hutchinson said he collects money at gun and knife shows to buy surplus WWII rifles. He and a friend then rehab the rifles and give them away to returning disabled veterans.
Hutchinson said he planned to vote for Thompson after he closes up his booth at the gun and knife show. He likes that  Thompson is a “true conservative that has been out of Washington for awhile.”
Hutchinson said Mike Huckabee is too much like a Democrate, called Rudy Giuliani a fraud and thinks Mitt Romney is “just a little too slick.”
Thompson had no other public appearances prior to a 7 p.m. rally at the Russell House on USC’s campus.
Thompson’s wife Jeri was scheduled to visit Thompson headquarters this afternoon to “rally the troops,” an aide said.

McCain greets voters in Charleston

GOp presidential candidate John McCain greeted voters at West Ashley Middle School around noon today. About three dozen supporters -- and lots of media folks -- were outside the polling place to rally for McCain, who was statistically tied with Mike Huckabee in the latest polls.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell accompanied McCain on the Straight Talk Express.

The weather, as elsewhere in the state, was wet and cold, but precinct workers reported a steady stream of voters. Also outside were members of PETA, dressed in fake fur pig costumes.

-- Noelle Phillips

Election day updates 11 a.m.

    Morning turnout was low at a couple of the larger Lexington County precincts, according to poll workers. Both the Lexington 1 precinct at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church and Irmo precinct at Irmo Elementary School are usually Republican bastions with residents waiting in lines to vote. While the stream of voters into those polling places Saturday was steady, neither had lines to speak of.
    Most of the voters willing to share their choices when leaving the polling place had selected John McCain, while Mike Huckabee was running second.
_ Marjorie Riddle

    A Blythewood area voter called to complain that his voters’ registration card had incorrect information about his polling place. Howard Peake had voted in Blythewood in the past, but the new registration card said his precinct should vote at Kelly Mill Elementary School at 1141 Kelly Mill Road.
Peake said he spent 30 minutes looking for Kelly Mill Elementary School. All he could find was Kelly Road Middle School. Finally stopping there to ask where the elementary school was, he found out he was supposed to vote at the middle school. “That can be very misleading for the first time you vote at a new place,” Peake said.

    Donna Jeffcoat in Lexington called to complain that campaign workers had put Mitt Romney signs within about 25 feet of the entrance to the entrance to the Pilgrim Lutheran Church precinct. Campaign law bans any campaign literature within 200 feet of the entrance. It’s the responsibility of poll managers to enforce that regulation, so if you see violations, point them out to poll workers.

Obama campaign: Save vote for next week

 

The campaign of Barack Obama was busy Saturday morning reminding potential voters that he is not on today's ballot.

Campaign workers phoned households, asking who the voter planned to vote for in next Saturday's Democratic primary. The voter's answer was followed by a pitch from the campaign worker to please consider Obama.

-- James Hammond

Myrtle Beach voting machine snafu - update

This from www.myrtlebeachonline.com

Voting machines out of service

A computer programming error caused several electronic voting machines to not work when the polls opened at 7 a.m. today for the Republican primary, according to Sandy Martin, Horry County's Voters Registration and Election director.

``We're working on getting it all worked out,'' Martin said at 9:15 a.m. ``Most of them are up and running now. There are a few scattered precincts we haven't got to yet.''

Martin said voters used paper ballots to cast their votes in places at precincts where electronic machines malfunctioned.''

But by 10 a.m., several people have called The Sun News to say that several precincts were out of paper ballots or running out of them.

UPDATE:

Polling sites out of paper ballots

Several people have called The Sun News this morning to complain that they were not able to vote this morning because paper ballots were not available when the electronic voting machines malfunctioned.

Marie VanMeter of Surfside Beach was told when she went to her polling station at Lakewood Elementary School, ''They said they were out of ballots and none of the machines were working in Surfside. They had everyone write down their phone number and that they would call us when we could vote.''

She added, ''What an injustice to those candidates.''

Several other people have called to say that polling stations in Surfside Beach were out of paper ballots.

A computer programming error caused several electronic voting machines to not work when the polls opened at 7 a.m. today for the Republican primary, according to Sandy Martin, Horry County's Voters Registration and Election director.

``We're working on getting it all worked out,'' Martin said at 9:15 a.m. ``Most of them are up and running now. There are a few scattered precincts we haven't got to yet.''

Martin said voters used paper ballots to cast their votes in places at precincts where electronic machines malfunctioned.''

But by 10 a.m., several people have called The Sun News to say that several precincts were out of paper ballots or running out of them.

UPDATE:

Polling sites out of paper ballots

Several people have called The Sun News this morning to complain that they were not able to vote this morning because paper ballots were not available when the electronic voting machines malfunctioned.

Marie VanMeter of Surfside Beach was told when she went to her polling station at Lakewood Elementary School, ''They said they were out of ballots and none of the machines were working in Surfside. They had everyone write down their phone number and that they would call us when we could vote.''

She added, ''What an injustice to those candidates.''

Several other people have called to say that polling stations in Surfside Beach were out of paper ballots.

Election day updates 10:30 a.m.

   

    Republican candidate Mike Huckabee created quite a scene as he showed up at the Wildewood Precinct at Polo Road Park in Richland County around 9:30 a.m. He was accompanying his South Carolina campaign chairman, Mike Campbell, who voted at the precinct.
    About 30 people, mostly media members, crowded around Huckabee just outside the entrance to Polo Road Park. The entourage later blocked traffic as they followed Huckabee across the street, where he greeted campaign workers holding up signs backing his candidacy.
    Standing in the pouring rain, Huckabee praised his supporters. "Our voters are like the post office," he said. "They don't let rain, sleet or snow keep anybody home."
    He joked that voters who support the other candidates should remain safe in their homes away from the cold rain. But Huckabee also expressed some concern about the chance of snow in the Upstate. The former Arkansas governor needs his people to show up at the polls to give him a good showing in the first Southern primary. "It's such an important day for us," he said.
    Precinct president Caron Marble said the precinct is heavily Republican and nearly everybody votes. While the voters often back up in lines leading out of the building on election day, there was simply a steady stream of voters in the nasty weather on Saturday.
    Many of the hardy supporters across the street were from out of state. They chanted "We like Mike!" as Huckabee talked to reporters. He responded by telling them "You guys are great Americans."
    Huckabee shook hands with voter Suzanne Leland, who said she voted for him because of his strong stand on family values.
     “I think he’s the best candidate for the job," Leland said."He’ll move (the country) in the right direction. He’ll do what is right for the war situation.”
    But not everyone at the park was a Huckabee backer.Ron Steineinacher, 67, voted for John McCain. He said he made up his mind about a month ago, swayed by McCain's experience and seriousness.
_ Adam Beam

Election day updates 9 a.m.

    The weather might end up being a huge factor in the Republican primary in South Carolina. Prospective voters awoke to a steady, cold rain. Those who wait for better conditions might be out of luck. A cold front is making its way across the state. When it meets the wet conditions, the rain is expected to turn into snow as far south as Columbia.
    The National Weather Service expects up to an inch of accumulation in the Midlands, and more in the Upstate.
    On the drive to the office this morning, I passed two precincts in Lexington County. There was one car in front of the Cromer precinct and about a half dozen in front of Oakwood. No campaign workers were standing across the street with signs backing their candidates. At 8:30 the morning of the last competitive Republican primary back in 2000, the parking lot at Cromer was packed and campaign workers lined the other side of Oak Drive.
    It'll be interesting to see who the lower-than-expected turnout favors.

   

Want a ride on Ron Paul's blimp?

The Ron Paul Blimp and family of Ron Paul will be hosting an "Open Blimp" event Saturday, January 19th at 11am at Sumter Municipal Airport. This unique event will give people an opportunity to see the blimp up close and meet the members of Ron Paul's family. Depending on his schedule Ron Paul may also be making an appearance.

Hundreds of area leaders, supporters and curious spectators are expected to attend as this will be a rare opportunity to view the blimp. Members of Ron Paul's family including his son Rand Paul and two of his grandsons, Duncan and Robert Paul will be hosting the event.

The blimp's crew and pilots will be available to answer questions about the blimp and will be providing tours of the cabin. Guests will be offered the opportunity to undergo official "Blimponaut Ground Training" and after their certification can have their photograph taken in the pilot's seat on the blimp. There will also be an information kiosk where you can purchase blimp memorabilia and get information on Ron Paul.

The blimp will be making several media and passenger flights starting at 8:30 a.m.Saturday. The event is expected to go until 1 pm.

Since it's initial launch on December 17, 2007, the blimp has traveled over 3,300 miles covering Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa. While flying it has been seen by hundreds of thousands of people in addition to being featured on CNN, ABC News, in the NY Times, Boston Herald, Washington Post and countless other publications and local news broadcasts.

To request a ride at the "Open Blimp" on the 19^th please email us: inquiries@ronpaulblimp.com

Flake to campaign for Clinton

Former U.S. Representative Floyd Flake, D-NY, will campaign in S.C. for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Here is his schedule:

Saturday, January 19^th

Horry County

9:00 a.m. EST

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity MLK Breakfast

Atlantic Beach Baptist Church

2816 Highway 17 S. Atlantic Beach, SC

 

Georgetown County

12:30 p.m. EST

MLK Program for West End of Georgetown

1622 East North St.

 

Williamsburg County

3:00 p.m. EST

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

701 St. John Street, Kingstree, SC

 

Clarendon County

5:00 p.m. EST

Community Meeting with Mayor Johnson/NAACP President

Peace of Paradise Restaurant

4782 Sumter Highway

 

Sunday, January 20^th

 

Horry County

5:00 p