Fowler: Barrett Playing Both Sides of Stimulus Fence

Columbia, SC- South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler issued the following statement today in response to Congressman Gresham Barrett's meeting with Columbia City Council regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Earlier this year, Barrett spoke out against the federal stimulus bill, and he joined the state's other Republican members of Congress in voting against it, but today he said he supports stimulus funds for local governments.

"Gresham Barrett is showing himself to be hypocritical in his early campaigning for governor. He was vocal about his opposition to the stimulus, but now that this view has proven to be unpopular in our state he's modified his stance. That's not going to work with voters in 2010. The only thing we need to know from Mr. Barrett is whether or not he supports Gov. Sanford's rejection of $700 million in stimulus funds primarily dedicated to public education. Decisions need to be made quickly to avert thousands of teacher layoffs and other deep cuts in our schools. South Carolinians don't want or need another Republican governor who's willing to play politics with the lives of real people."