The State - Wilson, Miller Debate Bailout, Tax Cuts, Trade

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The State - Wilson, Miller Debate Bailout, Tax Cuts, Trade

Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson and Democratic challenger Rob Miller argued their differences over a federal financial bailout, promoting new energy sources and U.S. trade agreements during a debate on ETV Tuesday night.

The two are running to serve in South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, which includes much of Richland and Lexington counties south to Beaufort County. Wilson has represented the district since 2001.

Miller, 34, frequently tried to tie Wilson to President George W. Bush and criticized Wilson's support of a recently approved $700 billion bill to shore up failing financial institutions. Miller said he would have voted against the bill and that the money could be used to help keep homeowners from defaulting on their mortgages.

"It takes into account the taking care of Wall Street and not the common folks," Miller said. "They (Congress) allowed them to begin the process of stealing from the American public."

Wilson, 61, defended the vote, saying, "It was the hardest vote I've had to make." He said it was the right decision when he learned local businesses might have to eliminate jobs because they could not get credit to keep running.

"My interest was not Wall Street," Wilson said. "It was the taxpayers and families of South Carolina. To look for a perfect bill — it doesn't exist."

The two candidates differed on the expiring Bush tax cuts, with Wilson supporting their renewal and Miller wanting to target relief to middle-class families. When asked whether the federal government should approve a new economic stimulus package — the second this year — both men said yes.

But Wilson said the plan should focus of reducing the cost of energy, by offering tax incentives for renewable sources and by drilling offshore.

Miller favored spending money to repair roads, bridges and other infrastructure, as well as providing job training.

The two disagreed on the impact of U.S. free trade agreements, specifically the Central American Free Trade Agreement approved in 2005. Wilson cast a key vote in its approval.

Miller said the agreement has cost 50,000 jobs, many of those textile jobs in South Carolina.

Wilson argued that textile industry figures show it has created U.S. jobs and cited two textile plants in Allendale and Barnwell that produce camouflage and Iraqi police and army uniforms. Lexington and Beaufort counties, Wilson said, have the lowest unemployment in the state.

"This would be good for the United States," Wilson said of a pending free trade agreement with Colombia. "It (CAFTA) has not cost any jobs. It has created jobs."

Miller said that while Lexington and Beaufort are doing well, much of the district is not.

"It might have created jobs in California, it might have created jobs in Minnesota, but it has not created jobs in South Carolina," Miller said. "When does it become a priority in South Carolina?"

Wilson defended his record in Washington, pointing to education reform, teacher loan forgiveness and other bills he supported when challenged by Miller.

"I'm really perplexed that somebody may not have known," Wilson said, "but I'm really grateful for the success I've had."

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