Barrett's vote defied leadership

U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett said his vote against the $700 billion financial rescue plan was the biggest he has ever cast in his career.

He was the only one of South Carolina's six congressmen to oppose the bailout, and he said Tuesday he is confident Congress will get back to work and pass something different — and better — soon.

Barrett said the response he has received has been positive by a 10-1 ratio.

But the future of the economy, and whether the bailout vote Monday goes down as a minor bump or a major missed opportunity could weigh heavily on his political future, which could include a run for governor in two years.

Barrett, a Republican, said that "couldn't be any further from my mind right now."

"I'll let the good Lord worry about my political future," he said. "I want to do what's right for America. I want to do what's right for my taxpayers, and I feel at the end of the day, that's what will happen."

Barrett's break from the rest of the state's delegation — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday he has never been more disappointed in Congress — comes as he is favored to win re-election to his 3rd Congressional District seat.

It also comes a few months before he is expected to decide whether to run for governor, and Clemson University political science professor Dave Woodard said it shows something about the way Barrett works.

"I know this vote by Gresham against leadership was very, very hard on him because he has formed a lot of alliances with conservatives up there," Woodard said.

"I think we will get a deal and this will kind of be forgotten, but I think it will send the message that he's not afraid to stand up to the big boys."

Woodard also said the 3rd District, which includes 10 counties in the southwestern corner of the state, is more rural and doesn't have a major television station.

"I don't think he's going to get the kind of heat from the press that you would get in a different area," Woodard said.

Barrett said he wants to see the next bailout plan include more free-market principles, such as a suspension of the capital gains tax and tax incentive for American companies to bring their overseas earnings back to the United States to help spur growth.

"People understand something has to be done," he said. "If they haven't, they're starting to see that, but in the same breath, they want it done the right way. This first step out of the box is extremely critical."

Woodard said if the economy sours, he isn't sure Barrett will face any more criticism than others who voted for the failed bailout bill. And Barrett said even a successful bailout bill won't stave off some hard times.

"There are still going to be some banks that fail. There are still going to be some businesses that go out of business," he said.

"When the gavel came down (after the vote), I turned to my colleagues and said 'let's go back to work. Let's roll up our sleeves and let's solve this thing.' "

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.