Ketner, Brown spar on economy, forest fire
Brown
Ketner
Broadcast Debate
Additional story
Ketner, Brown debate, but gloves come off after; published 10/02/08
CONWAY — The final televised showdown between 1st Congressional District hopefuls Linda Ketner and incumbent Henry Brown was a bit like their first: Much talk over the day's big issue, the battered economy, and fresh sparks over a fire that Brown set almost five years ago.
Wednesday's event — seen on television only in the Grand Strand area — also featured a few video clips before ending with brief compliments and a handshake.
Brown, a Republican seeking a fifth term, defended his record on everything from his priority on constituent service to his recent vote for a $700 billion financial rescue package.
Ketner, a Democrat and political newcomer who has raised enough money to mount a credible challenge to Brown in the predominantly Republican district, said the rescue package didn't have enough protections for the taxpayer.
"I see Congress and the president responding in a way that could be disastrous. We don't know yet," she said, adding that the nation must restore regulations separating banks from insurance companies from brokerage houses. "The foxes have the key to the henhouse."
Brown said the blame for the current crisis dates back to the 1970s, when the new Community Reinvestment Act urged, even required, banks to make loans in depressed neighborhoods or to borrowers with a weak credit history. He also noted the House has passed new regulations for troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but they died in the Senate.
"The blame game could certainly start and stop most anyplace," he said, noting the rescue deal was supported by both parties' presidential candidates. "We realized it was time to come together in a bipartisan way to deal with this issue."
After last week's SCETV debate, both candidates sparred over a Ketner television ad about a controlled burn that Brown set on his property in 2004. The fire escaped and singed about 20 acres of the Francis Marion National Forest.
Brown said the ad — particularly its implication that he didn't have a permit — was untrue and asked Ketner to pull it; she has refused, and it even ran just 60 seconds after the debate ended.
In this debate, moderator Jim Heath of WPDE-TV NewsChannel 15 showed the ad and asked both about it.
Brown noted the Forest Service also was burning that day, but Ketner replied they had more firefighting equipment at hand than Brown did.
Ketner also read from a federal report accusing Brown of "arrogance" in his response to the fire fine, but Brown said the federal government had a double standard, punishing private property owners when their fires escape onto federal land while keeping the government immune — unless a property owner could prove neglect — when its controlled burns accidentally spread to private land. "We said big government should be protected, not the small guy. We got that changed."
They also talked about a Ketner video clip that Brown objected to after last week's debate. Ketner edited out a small portion in which she talks about how constituent services aren't enough.
Ketner said Wednesday such services should be a baseline for a member of Congress and "there has to be more." Brown agreed, but added, "I run into people all the time who could not have gotten help any other place than my congressional office."
Asked about increased spending in Washington, Brown noted he is only one of 435 members of Congress but said the state's budget was balanced when he chaired the S.C. House Ways and Means Committee in the 1990s.
Ketner acknowledged that the coming economic crisis means that some of the increased federal spending that she has proposed, such as in the arts, is off the table for now. She said jobs, then education, would be her top spending priorities.
There was little talk from either about their political parties, though Brown said he planned to vote for Republican John McCain. Ketner said, "I'll be voting for Barack Obama, but my job is to work with whoever wins and to work across the aisle."
Heath also asked each what they liked about the other. Ketner praised Brown for coauthoring a new bipartisan bill to offer new support for medically fragile children. Brown praised Ketner's passion for providing affordable housing.
While the 30-minute debate didn't air in the 1st District counties of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester, it can be seen on WPDE's Web site.
The candidates currently have only one other joint appearance on tap before Nov. 4: A question and answer session next week before the Rotary Club of Charleston.
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 47 comment(s)
Posted by moonpie on October 9, 2008 at 6:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Send the Brown "workhourse" to pasture! He sure didn't help me when I had a problem with all the illegals living here. Never even contacted me back. Maybe e-mail frustrates him.
What's Ketners stand on illegal immigration? I asked her campaign via e-mail and got no response either. I'm about to change my mind about her too. Is there a 3rd party canidate? Write in? Seems like they both SUCK!
Posted by DanniD on October 9, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fire, fire, fire
Posted by carolinadude on October 9, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rgr75:
Good solution to vote for the opponent to clean Brown's clock and find a "true conservative" in two years. Ketner won't do much damage in 2 years. At least we'll be rid of the "do nothing workhorse".
Posted by steve on October 9, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It would seem to me that Ketner's background in affordable housing will come in handy over the next couple of years. Then maybe we will have better candidates stepping up to the plate. Give Ketner a chance ~ I believe District 1 will be better off if we do so.
Posted by ConcernedDorchesterCitizen on October 9, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Henry Brown is such a joke! How did we ever vote an idiot like him in office I will never know.
Posted by Larz13 on October 9, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ketner....the plastic surgery queen of the lowcountry.
SHE will vote for higher taxes, you can bank on that.
Posted by oldglory on October 9, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've asked before and now I'll ask again: Where is the factual info that Ms. Ketner is a lesbian? Further, what the hell difference does is make how any candidate for any office performs behind a bedroom door? (Mr. Brown might surprise us?)
I've not seen anyone else question that type of comment, and my contention is that people who spout such crap are totally ignorant and unenlightened.
Posted by ironhorse on October 9, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
old glory,
She drives a Subaru. End of discussion.
Posted by oldglory on October 9, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ironhorse, I have not one clue as to what you mean by "She drives a Subaru. . ." If it's meant to be amusing, please explain, because I love laughing.
Posted by oldglory on October 9, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wpc3iop, I was asking for FACTS for such statements. "Asking some people on Sullivan's Island . . ." is NOT A FACT. That's called GOSSIP. And that's my point. Do we have documentation where Ms. Ketner has publically stated that she is a lesbian?
oristo, I do love her smile, and I particularly love her ol' daddy! Also, oristo, thank you very much for explaining 'subaru' to me :) Also, you definitely got my point, didn't you!
Posted by eyfigueroa on October 9, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"She drives a Subaru..."
Okay that was FUNNY!
And here I was looking to buy one.
Thanks ironhorse for the heads up.
Posted by tigerrecord on October 9, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, hairstyle and smile are obviously the most important qualities in representing our district.
If you even hint at raising my taxes, you are out.
If you are going to represent the current credit crunch by providing MORE affordable housing, you are out.
I would rather vote for stabilization, than vote for someone with zero experience to lead us anywhere.
Posted by abitskeptical on October 9, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you Google her name you will find an article she wrote where she discusses her girl friend, southern religion, her "mother's temple of hypocrisy" ...I'll have to find it again, but it is clear that she refers to her homosexuality.
I do not know if that counts as a fact, but since the article was written by her it is not hearsay(if I or someone else can find it again, that is )
The main thing that bothers me about her is the tone of that article is such a contrast to her political commercials, it makes me wonder how honest she is. I was thinking of supporting her & wanted to learn more about her & found the article in my search. After watching her commercials, I have to say I was taken aback at what I read.
Posted by abitskeptical on October 9, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I found the article...& I misquoted her..on the temple bit, but you can read it yourself.
wuathttp://www.q-notes.com/oped/oped_042206.html
Posted by abitskeptical on October 9, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well that site didn't come out...just google an oped piece titled "saving Christ from the Christians"
Posted by eyfigueroa on October 9, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dikes Coldbeer? Why I'm disappointed in you. ;-)
But thanks for the heads up on PT Cruisers and HHRs.
*sigh*
I guess I gotta keep looking.
Posted by oldglory on October 9, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
abit, I read what is presented as Linda Ketner's post online, and from that it would 'appear' her orientation may be lesbianism. However, to sling nasty words/mud in a post regarding someone's sexual orientation is just uncalled for. To say that they lack the 'abilities' to hold a certain office is quite another and quite appropriate.
But since many of you seem to think it politically correct, then I would like to see where Mr. Brown states that he is a heterosexual christian (and that he's never had an affair).
We need all the cards on the table, and if one's ability is based on abilities AND sexual orientation, then let's hear all wannabe politicians/politicians' answers to both abilities and orientation.
Posted by bldr on October 9, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Ketne...
This article states she is openly gay.
Posted by eyfigueroa on October 9, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay, let's say for the sake of argument that the wiki entry was correct. She's gay. So what?!?!
I have to agree with RW on this one.
*cough*
*cough*
*gag*
*cough*
*cough*
Excuse me I had to get myself together…
Vote for her because she is either a liberal or conservative or even an independent.
No one worries if Brown is straight, gay or even DL. No one is wondering about his fidelity to his wife. So why is Ketner’s sexual orientation an issue? If she is gay obviously she is a ‘lipstick lesbian’ and is not concerned with forwarding a militant gay agenda.
I say vote to either keep Brown or to get rid of him.
Otherwise this extraneous crap is only diverting the attention away from what both candidates are claiming to be their policies/agendas.
Posted by Visitor on October 9, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Most of you people are SICK! I took a look at the comments with the hope of expanding the issues and instead, you are playing the political game of obfuscating the issues by name calling and mud slinging. If you believe homosexuality is wrong, then don't do it. Can't see how what they do has any affect on you. Also, don't understand why you have to refer to either person in a same-gender relationship as 'the lover' - why not 'partner?' You certainly don't refer to your spouses or girl/boy friends as 'lovers' - ah, but then, that COULD confuse the separate identity of your 'wife' and 'lover' - you bunch of hypocrites!
Posted by JC on October 9, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brown represents everything that is wrong with politicans in Washington. He voted for the bailout - so I'll vote him out come November!
Posted by eyfigueroa on October 9, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"There is help for homosexuals who want it"
Enough said...
Posted by Lovely_One on October 9, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"And...frankly I dont give a damn my dear!"
RW, you can say what you like and spew your narrow minded views as much as you want. But, I CANNOT and WILL NOT stand by and allow you to butcher a classic. The correct quote is "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!" sheesh!
Posted by Girleygirl on October 9, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a visual of a starved cat eating shrimp....and it aint pretty!
Posted by now_here_this on October 9, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And just like that; POOF! all traces of RW and posts referring to him are gone. Banished to poster pergatory with archdude, palmettoman, notanotherdumbassposter and elmer_j_fudd
Posted by abitskeptical on October 9, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oldglory-
I agree, the ugly name calling in regard to anything, including sexual orientation/preference is uncalled for &, IMO, diminishes the credibility of the name caller.
I read that op-ed piece a while back, but never commented on her orientation (irrelevant) or the content of what she wrote.
As I said above, it is the great contrast between the tone of that article & her commercials which I find disconcerting.
It certainly seems that, like most all entrenched politicians, she plays to her audience. She presents herself as one thing to one group & another to another group.
I came to the conclusion that she, regardless of sexual orientation, will be no different from most politicians.
I do not plan on voting for either Ketner or Brown.
Posted by nappyd on October 9, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lesbian or not, I hope that botox'd cougar wins!
Posted by eyfigueroa on October 9, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! It seems that both RW and Cold Beer were swiped off of the proverbial face of the earth.
What in the heck is going on?
I understand that the Post & Courier 'owns' the comments section, but now they are just getting carried away with this Politically Correct crap!!!!
Posted by eatmorecollards on October 9, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Darn, I must have missed some good s#%t. Where did all the post go?
Posted by SpiderJohn on October 9, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW 37 posts wiped out. If they kick you off they literaly erase you, hu?
Posted by SpiderJohn on October 9, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Big deal, she is gay! Oh my hid your daughters! sheez
Posted by eatmorecollards on October 9, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys should have just said she had a beautiful body,she wouldn't have held it against you.
Posted by hightide on October 9, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Removing ridiculously offensive remarks is not "politically correct" - it's just in good taste.
Henry Brown's time is up. If Ketner follows his lead of bad leadership, we can kick her out, too.
Posted by Jpulling on October 9, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Linda Ketner is an outstanding candidate. She's caring, compassionate, and courageous. She understands the needs of sucessful businesses and ordinary people like you and me. She is our choice for Congress!
Posted by abitskeptical on October 9, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am glad I am registered as an Independent. I'd be embarrassed to be "officially" associated w/ either of the 2 major parties.
I tend to lean toward the conservative side on a majority of issues, though I do have some positions which some might label as liberal.
Both parties have changed from their core principals. The GOP, however, has changed the most drastically. It is almost unrecognizable in many areas.
Libertarian is the way to go. Get enough true Libertarians in government & THEN we will see the changes we need.
Posted by eyfigueroa on October 9, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
abit: Libertarian over here!!!!
Wooo Hoooo!
The only problem with the Lib movement is that so many still vote either Dem or Repub because they feel that voting Lib or any other Independent is 'throwing your vote away'.
I disagree. I say the only vote wasted is one not cast!
If more people stuck to their core principles and TRULY voted Lib or Independent, more of those candidates would win.
Posted by Luke99982 on October 9, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's see. The old guy says we should send him back to Congress to fix the mess that has been brewing ever since he got there. I don't think so.
I listened to both debates. Ketner clearly knows as much as he does ... plus she actually has some new ideas.
I have lost half of my retirement savings in the past two months... and I am supposed to care if she is gay?
Posted by Rebel_Yell on October 9, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brown takes credit for passing legislation taking away the soveriegn immunity of the United Stated if it causes a controlled burn to spread. He said it was not fair for the little guy to get fined but to have no liability on the United States. Is he that lame to open up tort claims against the US government when he did not even take personal responsibility for his own mistake? If the US gets sued, we pay you moron. And besides, anyone who gets that red in the face needs to go work somewhere else.
Posted by outrage on October 9, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
abitskeptical - Libertarian is the way to go. Get enough true Libertarians in government & THEN we will see the changes we need.
TRUE, great point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can I write in Neil Boortz for President.
I am a libertarian and hope it happens before I expire!
Posted by eyfigueroa on October 9, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uncle Neil doesn't want to be president. it would be too big of a cut in pay. Besides, he could never be elected. The general public couldn't handle the truth that gives.
He tells it like it T. I. Is!!!!!
People are scared of the Libertarian Party because of its stance on the War on Drugs and foreign policy.
I wish people would put aside the fears and see Libertarians for what we are. True adherants to the Constitution!
Posted by outrage on October 9, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eyfigueroa - I do not believe in the war on drugs as they are today, but do not say anything because I am a LEO.SHHHH
Posted by ChrisPia on October 9, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.carolmoore.net/libertarianpar...
Posted by abitskeptical on October 9, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SpiderJohn(& others)-I hope your post is directed only at those who are indicating that Ketner's sexual orientation (irrelevant), & that alone, determines her qualifications or lack thereof to hold Congressional office. I say "So what?" to her sexual orientation as well.
I will make my point again, as I believe it is important.
Initially I was intrigued by Ketner & thought I'd probably vote for her.
After reading that op-ed I was disappointed, not by revelation of her sexual orientation(irrelevant), but by a revelation of 2 very different Linda Ketners.
We have enough 2-faced politicians who put forth an inaccurate or dishonest image in order to get elected. This type of thing interferes w/ confidence in & trust of a person--at least it affects me that way.
Of course I do not know for sure whether or not she is a phony/2 faced politician who says what is convenient & expedient merely for the purpose of bolstering her position or standing w/ a certain group of people. I do not know her.
All I have to make a judgment are her commercials & other info from my research--& the discrepancy I saw put up some major red flags for me. I disregarded "rumors", as everyone should about any candidate.
Bottom Line-my issue w/ her is this: She already seems to have at least one of the worst habits or qualities of a firmly entrenched politician. What could we expect as far as honesty, forthrightness & transparency if she is sent to Washington?
I cannot bring myself to vote for either Brown or Ketner.
Posted by abitskeptical on October 9, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The...problem w/ the Lib movement is..so many..vote either Dem or Repub because they feel..voting Lib or any other Independent is 'throwing your vote away'."
So true eyfig. I just had this talk w/ my mum. What she expressed is a "fear" that a vote for a 3rd party candidate, regardless of how great he/she might be, is wasted.
My response was "How is it wasted & for whom is it wasted?"
The predominance of the 2 party system has conditioned most to dismiss a 3rd party candidate as not really a valid candidate. This mindset has deprived this country of some excellent choices.
When will the people of this country wake up & realize that the only way we will see any CHANGE that matters--which will be a change that will lead us out of this mess & toward a correction, is to move away from the very 2 parties that have been in the forefront while all the abuse of power,trust, & resources(citizen's hard earned money & work) has been occurring???
While most ask why anyone in their right mind would vote for a 3rd party candidate, I ask
"How can anyone w/ brains vote for anyone who has even the most remote connection to the mess we are in?!"
eyfig & outrage-if more GOPers & Dems listened to Bortz, the truth he presents would make their heads explode.
But, that, in fact, is what needs to happen...wipe the brains clean(nice visual isn't it?) & start rethinking what is best for this country & her people.
Posted by jeff61 on October 9, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was considering giving her a chance but I can no longer vote for her knowing she she supports Obama. But I should have known that.
Posted by turtleman on October 10, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Quite a discussion going on...Ketner was recent "officially" endorsed as one of their top ten endorsements of OPENLY GAY people running for elected office by the Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered Victory Fund (check it out for yourself at the Palmetto Scoop blog)
Ketner is hiding the fact that she is a lesbian is just a symptom of a bigger problem with her...she is in favor of abortion on demand, in favor of gay marriage and in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants. Those are the facts that she has stated in writing. But do we hear any of that during the debates? Of course not because Ketner and her campaign know that those three things don't work in SC so even though Brown is not perfect and he is easy to dislike in this environment, all you "throw the bums out" type of votes should be VERY careful when you say you"ll vote for Ketner because you all will be in for a BIG surprise when she starts voting on your behalf in Congress...
Posted by oxlifter on October 10, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
First, the silliness of many of these comments is mindboggling given what is happening in the world markets, i.e. lets attack a candidate personally, rather than discuss their positions on the issues;
Second and speaking of, regarding the debate, Congressman Brown did an admirable job not coming across as grumpy or arrogant this time compared to last week; however, on the issues, his answers were still muddled with no real direction on how to get out of this mess. Ms. Ketner has clearly been working diligently to understand the troubles at hand and at least has ideas - new ideas - on how to try and address the mess at hand;
We are on the brink of entering our parents and grandparents depression, and of the two she is the only one highlighting a plan that entails reinstating what worked back then and taking new steps, again new ideas, based on what didn't work back then.
we cannot aford to sit around and name call these days, this country, our State deserves better.
And in terms of the issues raised and the proposals to address those issues, she did a better job during the debate.