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Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006

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RICH GLICKSTEIN/RGLICKSTEIN@THESTATE.COM

John Hudgens, left, interim president of Midlands Tech, talks with Sen. Jim DeMint, center, and Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum on Thursday before a press conference and tour of the health science building at Midlands Tech’s Airport Campus.

Posted on Fri, Mar. 24, 2006

DeMint, Tenenbaum join forces

Ex-rivals work together to promote Pell grants

By LEE BANDY

lbandy@thestate.com

Political rivals Inez Tenenbaum and Jim DeMint put the past behind them Thursday.

The occasion was a joint appearance at the Airport Campus of Midlands Technical College to talk about Pell grants, which help low-income residents pay for higher education.

It was the first time the two had seen each other since their rough-and-tumble U.S. Senate campaign in 2004.

They embraced.

Democrat Tenenbaum wore a gray skirt and turquoise jacket, a far cry from her bright red suit that became her trademark during the campaign.

Republican DeMint wore a red tie.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t thank DeMint for wearing a red tie,” she said. “I decided this morning not to wear a red suit so we could put the past behind us. It wasn’t a pleasant memory for either one of us.”

The two held six hard-hitting debates during the campaign, leaving a lot of blood on the floor.

DeMint won the contest.

“It really is good to get around to an idea that unifies us,” DeMint said, breathing a sigh of relief. “I think we can work together.”

Asked whether this was bury-the-hatchet day, Tenenbaum responded, “I don’t think there’s any hatchet to bury.”

Reach Bandy at (803) 771-8648.

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