Conley releases flier comparing him and Graham

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bob Conley is distributing a flier comparing him and the man he's challenging, Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, on taxes, trade, illegal immigration and other topics.

Click here to download the flyer.

Graham unveils two new ads

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham released another radio ad today touting his conservative credentials and a TV ad showing his support of veterans. Graham, seeking his second term in the U.S. Senate, is being challenged by Democrat Bob Conley.

In the radio ad, Graham says the nation must come together to face its many challenges.

Richland 1 candidate endorsed by Hodges

Susie Dibble may be the only candidate running for the Richland 1 school board who has snared an endorsement from a former governor and a state senator.

Former Gov. Jim Hodges, a Democrat, and state Sen. John Courson, a Republican, say they will support Dibble in her bid to fill an at-large seat on the seven-member board.

Clyburn, 'Cosby' actress stump for Democrats

U.S. House Majority Whip James Clyburn and "The Cosby Show" actress Phylicia Rashad are on a S.C. bus tour today to encourage voters to cast ballots in next Tuesday's election and to stump for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The tour will make stops in St. Matthews, Charleston and Claflin University in Orangeburg,

Click here for details of the tour.

Anti-Graham ads on immigration to hit airwaves

A portion of a pro-immigration reform speech U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham gave will be featured in an ad by a North Carolina group who accuses Graham of favoring amnesty for illegal immigrants, according to the group and an Associated Press report.

Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee previewed the ad online Monday. It shows Graham during a speech as saying those who support overhauling federal immigration law were "going to tell bigots to shut up."

The Raleigh, N.C.-based group is supporting Graham's Democrat opponent, Bob Conley.

Graham campaign manager Scott Farmer said the ad completely takes Graham's remarks out of context during his speech in 2007 to the National Council of La Raza, a Latino group.

   

Sanford, NAACP partner to decry DNA bill

Gov. Mark Sanford will hold a news conference Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. with the NAACP to oppose a bill lawmakers passed that would collect DNA samples from nearly anyone arrested in South Carolina.

Sanford opposes the bill saying it violates the civil liberties of the accused. The NAACP holds a similar view.

Sanford vetoed the bill that will demand DNA samples upon arrest.

Harrelson will debate Clyburn tonight

Republican Nancy Harrelson has decided to join U.S. Rep. James Clyburn for the Sixth Congressional District debate that airs tonight at 7 on ETV. The debate is part of a debate series partnered by ETV and The State.

Harrelson had previously said she would not be available to debate.
The debate can be viewed on ETV, heard on ETV Radio or streamed online at thestate.com or myetv.org

Barrett announces 10 campaign events

U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett of Westminister will campaign in his district this week, making 10 appearances between Tuesday and Friday. Barrett is running for re-election against Democrat Jane Dyer.

Click below for details to Barrett's campaign events.

GOP election night party set

The South Carolina Republican Party will host an Election Night Victory ’08 celebration in conjunction with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's re-election campaign, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's re-election campaign and other local Republican candidates at the Hilton Columbia Center’s Ballroom.

The celebration will begin at 7 p.m.

Sanford praises Jackson over shorter sessions

Republican Gov. Mark Sanford today issued the following statement on Democratic Richland Sen. Darrell Jackson's proposal to shorten next year's legislative session in response to the state's budget situation:

"I'd first off applaud Senator Jackson for his leadership on this front, because this is an idea whose merit should really be apparent to people on both sides of the aisle," Sanford said. "We believe a shorter legislative session would not only save money, but would also serve as a deterrent to so many of the things that we believe unnecessarily prolong the legislative session like early adjournments and excessive recognitions from the floor. To its credit, the House has long supported the notion of a shorter legislative session, so we're very pleased that idea appears to finally be gaining ground in the Senate as well. We hope that this proposal gains support, and that it serves as a first step to shortening the session permanently."