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Friday, Jan. 29, 2010

Best & Worst

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The moments that stood out for the four Republican candidates for governor during Thursday night's debate

U.S. REP. GRESHAM BARRETT, R-S.C.

Best moment: Barrett pointed out drug testing parents of children who receive free lunch would probably be unconstitutional, and he explained the problem of holding parents accountable is more complicated. It was a thoughtful response against the other calls to get tough on the poor.

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Do-over moment: He was asked why S.C.'s unemployment rate is among the nation's leaders even though the state has one of the nation's most conservative governors. Barrett's answer: It's because the state hasn't had leadership to bring it together. Huh?

LT. GOV. ANDRE BAUER

Best moment: When Bauer gave this one-word answer: "DeMint." Each of the candidates was asked which of South Carolina's U.S. senators he or she is most like. Others clearly sought not to offend. Bauer was clear and emphatic in his choice.

Do-over moment: Bauer called people unhappy with the Legislature's compromise that moved the Confederate battle flag to the front of the State House from the top of the dome "extremists."

REP. NIKKI HALEY, R-LEXINGTON

Best moment: Asked who she would model herself after, U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint or U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Haley answered DeMint. Then she scored points against Barrett by pointing out Barrett voted for the bank bailout and DeMint did not.

Do-over moment: Haley said S.C. should not accept the stimulus funding that will rebuild J.V. Martin Junior High School in Dillon, which has parts of its campus that are 112 years old. The stimulus money is mostly a loan, which Dillon could not get after the financial markets collapsed. Haley appeared confused about the facts.

ATTORNEY GENERAL HENRY MCMASTER

Best moment: McMaster channeled Ronald Reagan when he refused to speak ill of a fellow Republican. McMaster was asked whether he agreed with the Charleston County Republican Party's censure of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Do-over moment: McMaster struggled to explain why he has yet to determine whether Gov. Mark Sanford has committed criminal acts in the 37 state ethics violations with which he has been charged.

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