U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson Wednesday unveiled his first television ad attacking his opponent, Beaufort Democrat Rob Miller.

Wilson, the Republican incumbent who has held the 2nd Congressional District seat since 2002, challenged Miller to return more than $300,000 in campaign donations to a liberal group that has been critical of military operations in Iraq.

Miller, a former Marine Corps captain who served a combat tour in Iraq, has made his combat leadership a central part of his campaign.

Moveon.org, a California-based group that organizes for liberal causes on the Internet, called Gen. David Petraeus “General Betray Us” in a 2007 ad that took issue with the Bush administration’s on the ground assessment in Iraq. Petraeus was then in charge of the U.S. military campaign in Iraq. Now under President Obama he is in charge of the U.S. military operation in Afghanistan.

In the ad, Medal of Honor winner Maj. Gen. Jim Livingston says his “blood boiled” when he saw the Moveon.org ad. He asks Miller, Marine to Marine, to return Moveon.org’s money.

The Wilson ad comes a day after Miller unveiled its first ad attacking Wilson. That ad took Wilson to task for supporting the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, which some policymakers blame for exporting jobs from the United States.

by “The State” newspaper

Many people are unaware that they may be eligible to vote by mail using an absentee ballot.  Those who are aware are sometimes intimidated by the process.  In 2008, some people experienced long lines at their county voter registration office or a busy signal when they tried to begin the absentee process over the phone.

Now, thanks to the SCGOP and the Victory 2010 program, accomplishing the first step and beginning the absentee voting process is easier than ever before!

The new website, www.SCabsentee.com, is a “one-stop shop” where voters can submit their information online and have an e-mail sent directly to their county voter registration office requesting an absentee ballot application form. It’s as simple as that.

There is too much at stake in South Carolina and the United States today for voters to not take part in the 2010 election.  Do your part and begin the voting process today.  Visit www.SCabsentee.com and make sure your voice is heard!

In a recent article by the “IslandPacket.com”, Democrats in Hilton Head announced their newfound “optimism” for the November elections. The article stated, “Beaufort County Democrats expressed optimism Sunday afternoon that Democrats will reclaim the gubernatorial and 2nd District congressional seats, a feat that will be accomplished in large part to volunteer and grassroots efforts throughout the state.”

Click here to view the full article.

Apparently, the Democrats did not notice the enormous rally held in Washington D.C. this past weekend. Hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens showed up to voice their discontent with the liberal ideals that have ravaged our country’s economy. Their shouts of outrage carried far and wide, but apparently not far enough to reach Hilton Head.

This is yet another example of how out of touch the liberals are in this state. Instead of accepting the defeat of socialist policies and Big Government spending, they blithely go along their way with hopeless “optimism”. How oblivious can they possibly be?

The Democrats in Hilton Head and throughout the state may not be willing to face reality, but the folks in South Carolina are ready for conservative solutions. We realize that the status quo of reckless spending and Big Government is not the answer. The Democrats are wasting their time with ignorant bliss, and need to submit to the demands of the American people.

If the Democrats cannot hear the public outcry yet, then let’s be sure to send them a clear message this November. Let the liberal establishment know what you think by supporting conservative solutions!

Karen hit the road on Friday with Senator DeMint, including a stop at Trey Gowdy’s Spartanburg event.

It’s a good thing, too – more and more unanswered questions pile up by the day about his liberal views and the votes he has taken as a career Columbia insider.

Today is a perfect opportunity for Vince to start giving South Carolinians the answers he owes them:

-  Where does Sheheen stand on Obamacare? Specifically, what would he do as governor to either speed or impede the implementation of the law? Would he reverse current state policy of not participating in the costly “high-risk” pool? How would he fund the increases in Medicaid eligibility being mandated by Obamacare?

-  Where does Sheheen stand on illegal immigration? Sheheen cast the lone “no” vote on a bill that would make English the official language for conducting state business. Does Sheheen support or oppose the Arizona-style immigration law – a law that served as a model for several pieces of legislation in our own legislature? Would he sign or veto a similar bill?

-  Why won’t Sheheen release his legal clients? It was discovered last week that he raked in a share of a cool $1 million legal profit by suing payday lenders, at the same time he was taking votes on bills to regulate the industry. A leading
newspaper called his participation in the suit a “money grab.” What other clients is he representing while regulating the industries and agencies he is suing?

-  Where does Sheheen stand on abortion? A bill was passed earlier this year on an unrecorded vote to create a 24-hour waiting period before getting an abortion. Since no vote was recorded, did Sheheen vote for or against the bill? Is he pro-life, or pro-choice?

-  Where does Sheheen stand on state suits to stop the implementation of Obamacare, and to force the removal of nuclear waste from South Carolina? As governor, would he work with the next attorney general to pursue those suits, or would he kowtow to the Obama Administration? Would he try to cut funding for those suits?

“So far, Vince Sheheen’s campaign has been long on rhetoric and short on answers about the positions he would take as governor,” SCGOP Chairman Karen Floyd said. “While we don’t expect his made-for-television event today to be much different, it is time for Sheheen to start answering these questions. Voters will quickly see through his attempts to try and avoid tough questions. South Carolina is waiting: Where do you stand, Vince?”

“I believe life is sacred, and in the debate over when life begins, I think we as a society should always err on the side of life,” Gov. Sanford said. “Given current federal law, I think it’s imperative that a decision of this magnitude only be made with the fullest and most accurate knowledge available. It’s our hope and expectation that this new law results in a substantial decrease in the number of abortions carried out in South Carolina. Accordingly, I’d give credit to Sen.
Kevin Bryant on the legislative side, and on the ‘grassroots’ side I’d thank Oran Smith of the Palmetto Family Council, Lisa Van Riper of SC Citizens for Life, Alexia Newman here at the Carolina Pregnancy Center, and a host of others for the work they put into this.”

“This legislation requires 24 hours to expand the amount of information that is being considered before a very important decision concerning the life of a child is made,” Senator and Chairman of the Conference Committee Kevin Bryant said. “I’d thank those in the legislature and concerned citizens throughout the community for helping push this effort, and in the same light thank the Governor for signing this significant legislation that further recognizes the
sanctity of life for all.”

In the United States, about a quarter of all pregnancies end in abortion, while in South Carolina around 10 percent of pregnancies end in abortion.

Please give us your opinion on the biggest issues facing our state and nation at http://blog.scgop.com/2010/08/16/2010-summer-survey/

Each of the suits requires state resources to pursue, begging the question: as governor, would Vince Sheheen stand up for South Carolina, or would he kowtow to fellow liberals in the Obama Administration?

Currently, South Carolina is taking on the federal government over three key issues:

1. Does President Obama’s socialized healthcare plan overstep state’s rights by forcing individuals to buy healthcare, and forcing states to spend more to support the plan?

2. Can the federal government break its promise to South Carolina when it comes to nuclear waste, threatening to leave radioactive waste in our state that South Carolina took possession of with the understanding that it would eventually be moved to Yucca Mountain, Nevada?

3. Was the Obama Administration right in stopping the implementation of Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law? South Carolina is one of nine states who have sided with Arizona in the dispute.

Previously, Vince Sheheen’s campaign has called questions regarding these issues a “distraction,” and Sheheen’s party leader in the Senate, John Land, called the suits “a waste of time and money.”

Will Sheheen support the next attorney general in pursuing these matters? Or will he attempt to cut funding for the suits? Or, will he continue his attempts to duck the questions entirely?

SCGOP Chairman Karen Floyd said Sheheen owes South Carolinians those answers now.

“These suits go the core of the conservative ideals so many South Carolinians hold dear – protecting our freedoms and our wallets against ever increasing federal encroachment,” Floyd said. “Vince Sheheen has proven very adept at dodging these important questions, which is no surprise given his career as a liberal Columbia insider. South Carolinians are smarter than Sheheen gives them credit for, and they’re going to continue demanding he let them know where he stands. He cannot hide forever.”

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