Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009

The Buzz: Stimulus math a boon for the GOP

Stimulus math a boon for the GOP

The Buzz was amused at how creative Republicans were last week in jumping on the Obama administration's inability to count stimulus jobs and its ability to create congressional districts in South Carolina and across the nation that do not exist.

To recap, the White House released numbers on jobs created by the $737 billion stimulus package. The report showed jobs created in S.C. congressional districts that do not exist, such as District 25 and District 00.

For the record, the state has six congressional districts. U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint called the errors embarrassing. U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson said the government Web site "charged with reporting waste, fraud and abuse is its very own worst offender."

Perhaps the most inspired response was from WVOC talk show host Keven Cohen, who declared his candidacy for one of the phantom districts.

Cohen sent out a press release saying Wilson, U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-Westminster, and S.C. Republican Party Chairwoman Karen Floyd would be on hand for a "significant announcement about his future."

This proves Cohen has a good sense of humor. And maybe removes all doubts that he's a Republican.

Confederate flag nontroversy

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod said last week the Confederate flag must be removed from the State House grounds if South Carolina is to attract jobs.

The Buzz isn't surprised McLeod, a Charleston attorney, picked what is surely a winning issue in the Democratic primary.

But The Buzz is mildly surprised the call did not spark more debate about the 2000 compromise that moved the flag to the State House lawn, next to the soldier's monument from atop the State House dome.

Confederate flag stories almost always spark intense debate. Perhaps the lack of discussion among politicos and lawmakers indicate the General Assembly wants no part in revisiting the compromise that dominated the Legislature nearly a decade ago.

But those who love to throw elbows over the Confederate flag need not fear. The 10-year anniversary of the compromise is around the corner, which will surely spark new, loud discussion about the flag. Stay tuned.

Low-profile Sanford

Gov. Mark Sanford spent part of last week at the Republican Governors Association meeting in Cedar Creek, Texas, according to media reports.

Sanford, whom the State Ethics Commission determined last week will be charged after an investigation into his travel and campaign spending, did not include the RGA trip on the public schedule he issues weekly.

Realclearpolitics.com says Sanford kept a deliberately low profile, as he did not attend any of the media sessions the governors held to discuss issues such as health care.

Media-shy Sanford is a striking contrast to the Sanford who appeared last year. At the 2008 meeting, held in Miami, Sanford was elected chairman. He resigned that position in June after a secret, five-day trip to Argentina and an admission he was involved in an extramarital affair.

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