DeMint, Tenenbaum hone their positions

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The issue of tax reform DeMint's signature on a bill that would replace all federal taxes with a 23 percent national sales tax took a back seat to the type senator each would be, when life begins, the handling of captured enemy combatants and even their attitudes toward Bob Jones University during Monday's debate at Coastal Carolina University.

To Tenenbaum's criticism of the tax plan as economically ruinous, DeMint responded that he was one of 53 House members who signed the bill and he did so "to encourage debate on alternate plans."

It may have been the least combative of their five televised debates, although both managed a few low-key verbal elbows.

Paul Peterson, a Coastal Carolina political science professor, said that both candidates, having "been stung by criticism of how bitter the race has been, seemed to be backing off. Nobody had any serious error here. There was no knockout here."

DeMint is a U.S. House member from Greenville and Tenenbaum is the state's education superintendent from Columbia.

Tenenbaum said DeMint's 99 percent support for the GOP House leadership would translate into him being a "rubber-stamp" for Senate Republicans to the detriment of South Carolina's best interests.

After DeMint noted that her first Senate votes would be for Sens. Tom Daschle, Edward Kennedy and Hillary Clinton for leadership, Tenenbaum said, "It's whose side you're on that counts. I'm on the side of South Carolinians."

DeMint questioned her ability to steer an independent course after national Democrats have spent $4 million on her campaign.

"It's not independent if you support Al Gore, Bill Clinton and Teddy Kennedy," DeMint said. "It's a huge difference."

Asked if he would oppose legislation to allowed captured Taliban combatants to sue in federal courts for return to Afghanistan, DeMint answered tersely, "No."

Tenenbaum said, "The USA should have fair hearings for everyone and due process should be offered to everyone. These people should be able to have due process and return to their country if they're not a threat to the United States," Tenenbaum said.

Both defended Bob Jones University when asked if they shared criticism of the Greenville institution raised in a recent interview by the man they hope to replace, retiring Democratic Sen. Ernest F. Hollings.

A recent interview in The Washington Post that focused on the senator's tart tongue included this in a litany of comments about people: The folks who run Bob Jones University, the controversial Christian college in South Carolina: "Jackasses."

DeMint said, "It was a terrible thing to say. I've never seen any hint of discrimination. It's an asset to South Carolina."

Tenenbaum was more circumspect, saying she wasn't familiar with Hollings' statement, but has found that BJU has worked effectively with the Education Department in teacher-training programs.

Tenenbaum sparred with panelist Armstrong Williams, a conservative commentator and columnist from South Carolina, over his question, "When does conception begin?"

Repeating the question, Tenenbaum said, "I think you mean, 'Does life begin at conception?' "

However she would like to answer, he said.

While Tenenbaum said that great minds have no reached a conclusion, "Many faiths and many scientists have looked at this issue and have come up with different answers. The issue is, as a U.S. Senator, would you have one answer to this and make all law conform or would you recognize that other people have a different answer to it."

Tenenbaum said she would recognize the differences as a senator.

"I want your answer," Williams said.

"I have an answer and I think a lot of people don't," Tenenbaum said.

DeMint said, "It's hypocritical to call an unborn child a baby when you want it and a fetus when you don't." He said life begins at conception.

DeMint and Tenenbaum will kick off their final week of campaigning in Myrtle Beach and Conway this morning.

They will launch a round of retail campaigning in local eateries and malls handshaking and holding rallies in every part of the state, aimed at energizing their partisan supporters and winning over the undecideds.

There will be no relief on the airwaves.

Both sides are expected to empty their checking accounts to get as many ads on TV and the radio as they can afford and supporting organizations, from independent committees to the national parties have made heavy air time buys.

Tenenbaum and DeMint fielded a question on whether South Carolina should have a second senator from the Upstate, joining Seneca Republican Lindsey Graham.

DeMint said he shouldn't matter because Graham is from a very rural area and he is from the most industrialized.

"What's good for Myrtle Beach is good for Spartanburg or Anderson or Florence," he said.

But Tenenbaum, who lives in Lexington, said the state needs geographic balance.

In conclusion they were asked if after five hours of debates and campaigning for more than a year, they could say something nice about each other.

"I think the best is that that you keep saying the same thing over and over again, 23 percent, 23 percent," DeMint said, drawing the evening's first laugh.

"She has been very friendly, and we've had a cordial relationship," he added.

"He's a nice man," Tenenbaum said.

"Call me a nice guy, you got after me when I called you a nice lady," DeMint said good naturedly, referring to Tenenbaum's criticism of what she said were his condescending references to her in their first debate Oct. 3.

"Well, he has a wonderful wife and four great children," Tenenbaum said. That was the night's last laugh.