Republicans criticized Tenenbaum when she skipped most of Democratic gathering
BY SCHUYLER KROPF
Of The Post and Courier Staff
When word leaked that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Inez Tenenbaum would skip most of her party's national convention in Boston last month, Republicans pounced. They accused her of distancing herself from the party and its nominee.
Guess what? Republican candidate Jim DeMint is cutting short the time he'll be at GOP convention.
DeMint will be in New York only two days. He'll miss President Bush's nomination speech Thursday, which is DeMint's 53rd birthday.
He plans to return to South Carolina on Tuesday night to celebrate his wedding anniversary on Wednesday.
DeMint spokeswoman Kara Borie said his situation is different from Tenenbaum's, contending DeMint hasn't run away from his party or the president.
"She's been very clearly shying away from Sen. Kerry," Borie said. "We have made it very clear we support President Bush in his effort for re-election."
When Tenenbaum's convention week schedule was released, Republicans said it showed more time in South Carolina attending ice cream socials than it did supporting nominees Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. Tenenbaum spent only a few hours in Boston at the front end of the convention.
Tenenbaum, Republicans charged, was snubbing liberal friends to stump in conservative South Carolina and portray herself as independent.
On Friday, Tenenbaum spokeswoman Kay Packett said DeMint is following Tenenbaum's lead, putting South Carolina first.
"We can hope he's finally figured out that South Carolina is more important than Washington, D.C.," Packett said. "Inez apparently set a good example for him."
Tenenbaum, the state's superintendent of education, is challenging DeMint, the incumbent 4th District U.S. congressman from Greenville, for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Fritz Hollings.
DeMint will travel to New Yorkon Sunday, and the GOP will hold a reception in his honor. He'll address the convention Monday in one of the opening day speeches, though a time has not been released. On Tuesday, DeMint will take part in several events, then be honored at a reception hosted by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.
Other leading Republicans plan to stay the full week. Gov. Mark Sanford plans to be in New York throughout the convention, though his press office said Sanford's time may be cut short if Hurricane Frances threatens. Graham plans to spend the whole week in New York.
Tenenbaum on Friday began airing two new TV ads, both biographical. In one, she touts her commitment to community. In the other, she tries to boost her military credentials by promoting her father's career Navy service and her brother's service in Vietnam, saying veterans' benefits should be a priority.
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