06/14/2002 Archived Entry: "Showdown in South Carolina over Plutonium; Yucca Quake"
Gov Hodges is not to be underestimated. It was expected that he'd deny the Plutonium from entering the state of South Carolina. Coming from Colorado, in a backroom deal between Bush and Senator Allard, on Thursday, a federal judge refused to block the shipments of weapons-grade plutonium. Of course, Hodges is a Democrat, and Bush is trying to dump the plutonium onto him, leaving the SC voters to blame Hodges. On Friday, Hodges stepped up to the plate, declaring that it would not be allowed to enter the state: "I order that the transportation of plutonium on South Carolina roads and highways is prohibited," Hodges said. "I order that any persons transporting plutonium shall not enter the state of South Carolina."
But you gotta read the fine print of Governor Hodges' Executive Order on plutonium in SC. The comma sets it up quite nicely:
WHEREAS, according to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, a "known terrorist" with connections to al Qaeda who allegedly planned to build and explode a radioactive "dirty bomb" in the United States has been recently captured by federal authorities and is presently being detained as an enemy combatant in Charleston, South Carolina;....
I further order and direct the South Carolina Department of Public Safety to increase and enhance its security, patrol, inspection, and surveillance measures along South Carolina's highways, particularly in the areas along our state's borders and surrounding the Savannah River Site, and to enforce the provisions of this Executive Order.
Here's the latest news on it out of SC, Hodges declares state of emergency over plutonium shipments. And did you hear? There was an earthquake near Yucca Mt. in Nevada, about 15 miles from the site of wher Bush and Cheney would like to make the Nuclear waste dump.
Replies: 5 comments
Perhaps Hodges can turn this into an election issue against the GOP?
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/15/2002 12:19 PM PST
If he can stop the Plutonium from coming through in a dramatic way this will only help him in the eyes of SC voters. And he can definitely use it against the Republicans.
I bet this will spill over into the Senate race. Sanders needs to get on the ball and join Hodges in defy the federal governments plan to dump the plutonium.
And if there was an earthquake in Nevada, that might help to discourage dumping at that site.
Posted by Ced @ 06/15/2002 02:35 PM PST
For Hodges, it is THE election issue. IF Graham is unable to stop Bush from ramming it in, he will not beat Sanders. Right now, Sanders won't get involved, as if he does make it an issue, then Graham would be able to declare a victory if they kept it out. It's Hodges, even if he loses, and Bush brings in fed troops, Hodges wins on the issue, and then Sanders could hang it on Graham.
Posted by myDD @ 06/15/2002 04:24 PM PST
Hodges WILL win re-election comfortably. The GOP primary is turning bloody. Peeler is turning hard to the right. He is trying to replicate Bush vs McCain in 2000.
It is also exposing the regional and ideological splits in the states GOP. Peeler is accusing Sanford of being a closet liberal.
If Peeler wins the primary, you will see a mass exodus of low country moderate Republicans to Hodges.
If Sanford wins, you will see an unusually low turnout among right wing fundamentalist voters in the upstate region.
Either way it leads to a Hodges win, and a very close senate race.
Posted by TOM @ 06/18/2002 09:03 AM PST
I think Hodges has an edge. But, Graham will win the senate race.
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/19/2002 04:24 PM PST
