Viewer responses to theWIS Question of the Day  by order of most recent to least recent. Only responses signed with names will be posted. Flamed (all capital letters), one-word responses and live links will not be posted.

Who do you think won the Beasley-Demint Tuesday night?

• jm, lexington:
  Everyone who turned the channel to watch something else before it began!
• GS, West Columbia:
  David Beasley was the clear winner. DeMint claims to keep his word, but he promised to only serve six years in Congress. I thought the House and the Senate made up Congress. He need to go down along with his negative ads.
• GM, Lugoff:
  The "Debate" was very good,well conducted and Mr. Beasley and Mr. Demint answered the questions with out too much dodging the point being raised. I don't believe either one "won" the debate, but all who were interested gained a little more insight to the goals each one will persue.
• GB, Columbia:
  In my opinion the debate itself generated little in terms of excitement for either candidate. But I think Beasley showed more passion for the people. DeMint was cold and indifferent to those who hurt from unemployment. DeMint also looked for opportunities to take a shot at his opponent as opposed to sharing his vision.
• JD, Williamston:
  Demint clearly won the debate.  Beasley appeared in his usual "preacher" form giving broad generalizations and exaggerations without really addressing the issues.  The citizens of S.C. need to really look at this situation and vote for the person who is truly ready to take us into the future, and that would be Jim Demint.
• WW, Columbia:
  I think Mr Demint was the clear winner.  I totally disagree with the Demint add about Beasley.  He is not a flip-flopper or wishy-washy, he is an outright liar.
• BG, Irmo:
  Dump Beasley, again!
• SM, Monetta:
  I find it difficult if not impossible to say either candidate won. Both associated themselves with Former President Regan, Former U.S. Senator Thurmond and President Bush. It's easy to make claims of past actions and associations when no one is there to confirm or deny. Each also mentioned what a great jod South Carolina is and has done in the area of employment (jobs) and Medical Care, when in fact you only need to check State Employee Status and view the S.C. websight for vacant State Jobs. You will find hundreds that have been reclassified as part time (32-40) hours per week. By doing this reclassification, the State avoids paying for such things as Health and Life Insurance in addition to keeping this class of employee out of the State Retirement. System. They talk about National Security, well even the TSA Security Officers at the Columbia Airport are classified as Part Time Employees for the same reasons on the Federal Level. I do believe this is called trying to balance the budget. No, I am not a State or Federal Employee. I am a Republican, who failed to vote in the Primary but I will not vote in this runoff. Well I've only lived, Attended Public Schools, and worked in South Carolina for a total of 49 years, So what do I know ?
• cR, West Columbia:
  DeMint was clear on why "consistency" is a most important promise to give and keep once in office. (Past or Present)
• CM, Columbia:
  I think that Beasley won.  At first, I was really interested in seeing the diference between the two.  I agree that they both seemed to feel the same way about most issues and only differed in their choice of vocabulary.  But, when I vote for someone, I am voting not only for their opinions, but how they act socially.  I was not impressed with the way Demint portrayed his personality. I got the impression that he was rather pompous and preferred to accuse others of doing wrong and tell us about what he did in the past instead of letting us know what he plans to have done in the future.  I think that Beasley was very accurate when he said that DeMint's recent position in Washington had changed him.  DeMint has obviously taken too many "Acting for the Camera" classes, because he was way too theatrical.  I am definitely voting for Beasley!!!
• ss, eastover:
  The debate has helped me to decide on which I will vote for in the runoff next week. I thought each candidate did a good job responding to each question. It is a privilege to vote and no matter which candidate wins, the people spoke and we will have to support that candidate as a state and people.
• RM, Elgin:
  I thought it was close, with Beasely a slight edge until I read your viewer comments on Mr. Beasely's affair, which I did not know about and this made me change to Mr. DeMint.
• OS, Lexington:
  Mr. DeMint was professional, sincere, and in-charge.  His attitude towards the questions were positive and concise.  I was impressed.
• KC, Lexington:
  Let's see..."Gov" Beasley wants to be called "Gov" but he does not want to accept responsibility for what he did as "Gov".  I guess now he wants to be called "Senator" but never accept responsibility for his actions there either?  We need a  Senator who will represent ALL of SC, not just a precious few.  We need someone who will work with others to bring SC up not drag us down further and isolate  us more in comparision to the rest of the country.  I will have no problem voting for DeMint because I know what we will get from him.  Who knows what the "older, and hopefully(?) wiser" Beasley will do. Thank you.
• jw, batesburg:
  you only need to look at the response to the question sent in by the teacher only beasley answered and said he would be glad to visit the school demint gave the typical washington response in that he avoided the question. demint was a smoother talker but look at theresponse to the questions and beasley gave a answer and demint gave you a theme never answered a question
• dj, columbia:
  Neither. They both agree on most issues, except trade.  Also, they both spent so much time kissing up to Bush their lips must have been really tired after the debate.  If the people of South Carolina think one of these guys is the best we can send to Washington, we're in trouble. Having Lindsey Graham up there groveling for Bush is bad enough.  I can't stand much more embarassment.
• CA, Bishopville:
  It would be an easy vote if either one of these guys would have spent their "advertising money" on our empty I-20 industrial park.  Don't tell me what you are going to do to put South Carolians to work.....show me.  Demint by a nose, sorry Pinocchio.
• BB, Orangeburg:
  It was an interesting debate. If you were scoring the debate on oracle skill and professional debating points I think DeMint won. If you are like me and listened for answers that appealed to my positions on the issues Beasley won. I think Beasley demonstrated a more realistic understanding of what South Carolinians know and live each day. I was somewhat offended that DeMint chastised Beasley for speaking strongly for the unemployed in calling unemployment "exaggerated". Obviously Mr. DeMint has never been out of work.
• HC, Pelion:
  I feel Jim Demint won. He stayed focus and answered questions that were not danced around like Beasley.
• SP, Columbia:
  After last night, I am convinced that if Beasley gets elected, we will be sening another Bill Clinton to Washington, someone who has cheated on his wife and betrayed the voters.
• JP, Sumter:
  I was not impressed with the debate. I know that Mr Beasley has betrayed his wife and the voters that elected him as Governor. I could not ever possibly trust Mr Beasley again.
• JP, Columbia:
  I was not looking for a winner. I was listening to help me make up my mind about who to vote for.  I came away more sure that Beasley cannot be trusted. Demint has a pretty solid record in the US Congress. I know that if Beasley gets the nomination, I will probably not vote or I will vote for the Democrat. I am a lifelong Republican but, you only get one chance to betray me.
• AF, Columbia:
  I think it was clear that Jim Demint is far more aware of the issues, offers sensible solutions and will not be easily swayed by public opinion.  It was extremely obvious that Mr. Beasley was trying to give an answer voters would want to hear. Many times I felt he was confused, or just trying to think of a story to endear him to the voters - a little reminiscent of Bill Clinton.  In light of the fact that they both seemed to agree on most issues, I think it would be wise to choose the candidate with consistency and moral character.  Beasley has proven he cannot stick to a decision or remain faithful to his wife and family.  How can we trust him to be faithful to us?!  Jim Demint keeps his word - he's got my vote!
• JB, Chapin:
  DeMint won the debate, no question. Beasley fumbled with answers he thought the public wanted to hear, while DeMint spoke of solutions the public needed to hear.  By the way, while DeMint has been in congress at work the last few years, where has Beasley been? Whose head has been in the sand?
• DS, Darlington:
  I admire David Beasley's refusal to get into the negative  ad campaign.  A US Senator who takes firm stands regardless of political consequences will take South Carolina to the place we need to be.  I was surprised to learn in the debates that Mr. DeMint changed his stance on campaign funding "...because this race is more important ...".  Is not just the type of thing he is accusing Governor Beasley of doing?
• RC, West Columbia:  
  Well, it seems that Mr. Demint won, and i am disappointed that Mr. Beasley mentioned a great president, Ronald Reagan, three or four times in his very first answer. It was obvious he did it to gain an edge ? I also wonder why Mr. Beasley was not asked about his adulteress ways while he was Governor ?
• CJ, Bishopville:
  Neither.  It was a good debate but with no clear winner. Just further proof that either will be better for South Carolina and the nation.  It is refreshing to know that we have two qualified candidates running for office.
• DT, West Columbia:
  I’d have to call it a draw.  I didn’t hear all that much difference between them on the issues and I don’t think either man “scored” points against the other.   Furthermore, in my opinion at least neither candidate comes across as all that impressive.

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