Posted on 01/20/2009 7:57:48 AM PST by rabscuttle385
U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett has never spoken to Barack Obama. He's seen him campaigning on TV and once saw the former Illinois senator in a crowded hallway in D.C. But as lawmakers, they've never spoken or crossed paths.
Still, the Upstate congressman is optimistic about the new man in the White House. "I want my president to succeed," Barrett said ahead of today's inauguration. "I'm an American first, and a Republican second."
For the first time in eight years, South Carolina's four Republicans in the House and two in the Senate are dealing with a White House run by the other side of the aisle. Still, most have expressed early optimism they can work with the new president, both nationally and on South Carolina matters, even if they don't have the previous party label shortcut to the president's ear.
"This is a milestone in our nation's history," said Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. "Thirty percent of my state is African-American. There's a lot of pride throughout the state — quite frankly, from all corners of it."
Sen. Jim DeMint credited the new president with being open-minded. "I believe he is sincere on his convictions to make government more transparent and accountable and expect that working relationship to continue during his presidency."
(Excerpt) Read more at charleston.net ...
Two-for-one special: DeMint/Graham ping!
“I believe he is sincere on his convictions to make government more transparent and accountable and expect that working relationship to continue during his presidency.”
...he hasn’t been “transparent” or “accountable” yet. He hasn’t been ANYTHING yet! I don’t personally expect a drastic change in his personality anytime soon.
Step right up! Kool-Aid for sale here!!! Getcher kool-aid!!
You are running out of conservatives to throw under the bus.
Whether DeMint tries to work with Obama or not, he is as conservative as it gets.
That's all the voters in his district should need to know about this dipwad RINO.
That is not DeMint praising Obama, but instead it is DeMint saying he is going to hold Obama accountable for this promise.
"Obama and I have found common ground on several subjects, and I look forward to continuing that working relationship," he said. "Unfortunately, the partisanship of congressional Democrats will likely prevent him from crossing party lines more often than not."
Translation: Obama shares some of our conservative ideas, but congress will run roughshod over him and nip this it the bud very soon.
Oh no! How many more Republicans are going to fall under Obamanosis???
Will this ever end?
no, you're a Marxist Socialist first, and a GOP traitor second.
I think all of the republicans got the memo. Praise and obey the chosen one or you are a racist. It’s so over folks.
Just posturing. What’s he going to say, “We’re going to fight this manchurian candidate every step of the way”?
The fact is, we need to start getting some black votes back. They need to be reminded Lincoln was a Republican, and it was conservative values which set them free. They need to understand bigotry and racism, which is exactly what abortion and afirmative action are, needs to be expunged from our society. All human life is equal and therefore be treated equally.
However, for me it is a dilemma. I am fundamentally opposed to the philosophy he has articulated prior to the present time. I believe if implemented his core beliefs would cause far more damage than good and lead the nation into a path of degradation. Just because Obama and his advisors say something is good doesn't make it so. I don’t mean to sound political here, but rather one who is an adherent to the country our ancestors have handed down to us. In short, I do not have a lot of trust in Obama. And that lack of trust stems from his biographical past, his hidden history, his campaign rhetoric, his associates, and some of his current advisors. I want success - for the nation, not a personality.
Nah, DeMint’s just being diplomatic. Say a few nice things now on I-Day, then undermine for the next four years.
Graham, on the other hand, is just a bootlick.
You’re right. As much as all of us want our reps to cuss him out till the cows come home. This is politics, we can save it until after the honeymoon.
“Nah, DeMint’s just being diplomatic. Say a few nice things now on I-Day, then undermine for the next four years. Graham, on the other hand, is just a bootlick”.
Two minor points of disagreement: (1) DeMint will not undermine, he will challenge Obama; (2) Lindsay doesn’t just lick boots.
If I get your general tone, we need to be politically diplomatic at this point in time and let Obama shoot himself in the foot. We know from experience that the lefty ideas are ruinous. People just need to see it again with their own eyes.
Like it or not, October was the financial “9-11” (or at least preceived to be) and Obama is getting the support George W. Bush did in the months after 9-11. The Dems realized his popularity and went along for awhile, then slowly atarted chipping away. Or a better analogy is the drip drip drip and 5 years later you have a full bucket.
The difference is, of course, is that the Dems have the MSM backing them up.
The two biggest mistakes, IMO, of the conservative movements of the last 50 years are letting the libs take over Education and the Media . I know the reasons why it does not happen for conservatives...low pay and business models, but the end result of few sacrificing is what we have now...the slow erosion of the culture, educational system and media representation of those things.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
I wish someone would say it...other than Limbaugh, that is. Where are the guts in this country? Where are the guts among the Pubbie Party...oh yeah, they lost their guts long ago. Those damn cave-in artists are going to let that damn Obamanation run roughshod over our Constitution and rights. With friends like them, who needs the 'Rats?
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
no, you're a Marxist Socialist first, and a GOP traitor second.
Well said.
Gresham Barrett has become the non-homo (as far as we know) version of Lindsay Graham. I promise to work as hard for his defeat as I did for Lindsay's.
I just hope for a better outcome.
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