Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2008

Graham's opposition unclear

Bob Conley, a pilot and engineer from North Myrtle Beach, appeared to squeak out a narrow win in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary Tuesday night.

Conley, 42, held a narrow edge over Michael Cone, a 38-year-old attorney and former Naval officer from Mount Pleasant.

But the margin was so small, it falls within state guidelines for an automatic recount.

If the margin holds, Conley would move on to face U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who cruised through his primary contest.

Graham, 52, an attorney and a member of the Senate since 2003, decisively defeated retired orthodontist Buddy Witherspoon, 69.

Graham angered some conservative Republicans by striking a deal with Democrats to prevent them from filibustering President Bush’s judicial appointments. Many conservatives think the deal unnecessarily limits Bush’s choices.

Conservatives also were unhappy about Graham’s support of an immigration plan that would have allowed some illegal immigrants to earn a path to citizenship.

But just as Graham’s policies have angered some conservatives, they potentially make him more appealing to moderates and thus more difficult to defeat.

In the end, Graham, an Air Force Reserve colonel who has served in Iraq, had name recognition and a huge financial advantage.

Looking toward November: Graham has backed Bush’s approach to the war in Iraq, while Conley believes U.S. troops should be withdrawn.

Conley also has called for the United States to pull out of trade agreements he argues have led to a loss of American jobs and for the passage of a new “G.I. Bill of Rights” to aid veterans.