Brown, Inglis spar over help for local efforts

Brandon Brown, left, and Bob Inglis, shake hands after a debate for the 4th District congressional seat. The debate was held at WYFF Studios in Greenville. PATRICK COLLARD/Staff e-mail this story

Brown criticized Inglis for not supporting funding for local projects while serving three terms in Congress and for not keeping on his term-limits pledge.

Inglis said he supports local projects but isn't interested in demonstration projects "named for Bob Inglis."

He said it was a mistake for him to announce his departure from Congress in advance because he was rendered ineffective.

Brown, a 29-year-old Greenville funeral home executive, is running for public office for the first time.

Inglis, a 44-year-old lawyer who lives in Travelers Rest, was elected to the House in 1992 and re-elected in 1994 and 1996. He lost a U.S. Senate race to Democratic incumbent Ernest F. Hollings in 1998.

Both men are running for a seat being made vacant by U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint, who is running for Hollings' seat.

Brown criticized Inglis for not supporting two local projects, the Southern Connector toll road and expansion of the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport for BMW.

"As your representative, I would never allow federal funding appropriated for this district not to come in," he said. "You're paying taxes and you deserve the money appropriated to you and not sending that money to Iowa or another state."

Inglis said after the debate that he supported the airport expansion project but backers of the project went to Hollings to seek funding. He said he opposed the Southern Connector because it was part of a highway bill laden with pork. He said the roadway should have been located further south.

He said he is interested in things "that I'm comfortable with," such as the automobile research project at Clemson University, a project her predicted could have a positive effect on the nation's economy.

"If it's an interchange to be named for Bob Inglis, not real interested in that," he said.

Both men also differed in their views on the economy and the war in Iraq.

Brown said he would not have supported sending troops into Iraq and believes "a totally different direction" is needed now.

"We have to take a new approach," he said. "We have to have more support from our allies. And we have to bring the United Nations back in to make sure that all efforts are being made to make sure we play an adequate role in getting the people of Iraq to feel safe and secure."

Inglis said he supports the decision to use force and the work of the military now in Iraq.

" One of the things we need to be focused on is the continued efforts to turn over sovereignty to the people of Iraq," he said. ""It's very important we move that along as quickly as possible and get them back their country and come home. That's what I think the president is committed to doing."

Inglis said job losses can be addressed by reforming the nation's tax system, by cutting back on unnecessary litigation and negotiating better trade agreements, particularly with China.

Brown said the nation needs "fair and balanced" trade agreements. He criticized DeMint's idea to replace federal income tax with a 23-percent sales tax and said some of Bush's tax cuts should be rolled back.

Both men said they opposed the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Inglis said he thinks Washington's role in education should be one of cheerleader, allowing local governments to manage schools. Brown said his problem with the legislation is that the government did not provide the necessary resources to fix the problems.

Asked how they differed on any issue from their party's presidential nominee, Brown said he opposes same-sex marriage, adding that he's not "a rubber stamp" for his party.

Inglis said he opposes the No Child Left Behind Act.

He said his experience in Congress has given him a "perspective" that he thinks will help should he be re-elected.

"One of the main things I've learned is that in order to get change you have to have leadership aimed at consensus plus a crisis," he said. "The tax code is a great example. We have to have leadership aimed at consensus rather than people trying to tear down somebody who proposes an idea."

Brown said while he has never held public office, he thinks he's qualified to be in Congress.

"It is my obligation to stand up and fight for the citizens of the 4th Congressional District," he said. "If our men and women can protect our freedom, certainly I can protect their interests, so when they come home jobs are available, health care is available and we can be committed to growing our education systems."

The debate, broadcast on WYFF, was sponsored by the television station, The Greenville News and The League of Women Voters.