AIKEN --- U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett was in Aiken on Tuesday, stumping to be South Carolina's next governor; but before things got started, an Aiken resident referenced another job.
"My name is Robert Whitehouse," he said with a big smile. "Does that give you any inspiration?"
Laughing, Mr. Barrett responded, "Nice to meet you Mr. Whitehouse" and quickly began addressing several federal and state issues while visiting workers with Especially Seniors, which provides in-home care services for seniors.
It was the fourth and final stop of the day for Mr. Barrett, a Republican, along his "Barrett Means Business" bus tour.
After hearing concerns from Mr. Whitehouse about the growing national debt, Mr. Barrett said, "There's only so many times you can take in $100 and spend $150."
Mr. Barrett then heard from Robbie Yarborough, of Especially Seniors, who had concerns over how proposed health care reform might affect his business.
"This fix is not the fix we need," Mr. Barrett said, later adding that he had heard similar worries from other businesses on his tour across the state.
Mr. Barrett talked about how as governor he would focus on job creation, strengthening South Carolina's ports, improving the state's infrastructure and restructuring government. He said businesses shouldn't be taxed more as their profit increases and that they need an incentive to grow.
He said he would favor having a liaison who could streamline questions and concerns of businesses.
Asked about the current woes of Gov. Mark Sanford, Mr. Barrett simply said, "The only thing I can control is Gresham Barrett." But he later added, "I think people are ready for some change," contending that voters want an active governor who's focused on jobs.
He said that's why the governor's race is getting so much attention 10 months before the primary.
"I believe with all my heart if we're going to change America ... we're going to do it one state at a time," Mr. Barrett said.
Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
I hate to see Rep Gresham giving up his seat in the US Congress to possibly become SC's next governor as he has along with Jim DeMint in the US Senate have done a good job looking out for our interests. Gresham would definitely be a good change for SC after all Sanford's troubles.
South Carolina Republican Governor Mark Sanford, Republican Mark Sanford, Republican Mark Sanford, the embarrassing Republican Mark Sanford, so why would you want more Republican Mark Sanford's in public office? Do you really want another phony conservative who claims to believe in family values, truth and justice, protection of the poor and needy but instead does none of that and continues to satisfy their personal desires and squanders our public resources on their wealthy big business pals with more corporate welfare at the taxpayers expense rather than working to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians. South Carolina has a wealth of geographic advantages in a global marketplace and the Republican Mark Sanford's of the Palmetto State continue to waste those numerous opportunities. Vote for Change for a change. Vote Democrat.
Here is my complaint about Barrett. Last year when they started talking about the first bank bail out, Barrett was all talk about how it was wrong and he wasn't going to vote it through. He sent out emails repeatedly about how wrong it was, and low and behold can you guess what happened?? HE VOTED YES!!!! There is no way I would vote for a LIAR again!!!
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