4TH District Congressional Race

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Another Campaign 2008 Voice of the Voter, getting you ready to vote in the 4th District Congressional Race. Congressman Bob Inglis is after his 6th term in Congress. He's challenged by political newcomer, Democrat, Paul Corden and the Green Party's Faye Walters. The election comes 30 days after the Congressman's vote for the bailout bill.

He tells Amy Wood, "It's definately not a good thing to be voting for something right before an election that is so controversial." Inglis says, "There are tough decisions and you gotta make 'em."

Inglis says the economy is the number one issue, and the bailout was essential. His opponents disagree.
"We're not going to be able to be as lax as we have been with regulations," says Paul Corden, the Democrat in the race.

Paul Corden wants to tighten up banking regulations, and build jobs the old fashioned way. Corden says, "I think in the very near future we're going to have to do some strong investment in infastructure, roads bridges, things of that nature, which going back to the 40s and 50s... that was an economic spur to the entire marketplace."

Local business woman, Faye Walters, thinks energy independence will fuel jobs. She says, "The answer is investiging in renewable resources."

The candidates all agree its important to make health care coverage available to everyone. Inglis wants health care prevention focused, and loopholes eliminated that leave you without coverage when disease hits. He says patients will have to value their health dollars. "I'm watching to see I don't spend the dollars freely, and I'm careful with it, " Inglis explained.

"I tend to come at it from a buisness perspective," Paul Corden says. Corden's experience leading companies, has him looking to Europe for successful models. "Not only do they spend a lot less, but they cover everybody, " Corden says.

Walters says she spent 20 years working in the healthcare industry, shaping her view for solutions. “A lot of people say they don't like socialized medicine, but it’s the answer, it’s the answer, ” Walters says.

On the war in Iraq, Inglis says, “Things are going very well.” The congressman opposed the surge, and now says he was wrong. "The thing I'm excited to say, that I didn't really expect, is it's turning out to be a political success."

Corden's a Vietnam vet, who suppors "The Responsible Plan" for Iraq. "That plan calls for withdrawl from Iraq as soon as we possibliy can, in an orderly fashion with a commitment to letting Iraqis take over their government, as soon as possible, " Corden explained.

Walters saw a brother go through Vietnam. She wants out of Iraq. “I do support our troops, they've done a wonderful job and any of the progress we've made in Iraq is because of their work and sacrifice. But it’s time to stop sacrificing.”

All three will push for energy independence, but differ on how to get there.

"We can improve national security with us getting off oil. We can create jobs in places like upstate South Carolina, and we can clean up the air ... it's a triple play, " Inglis says. The congressman has been a strong proponent for hydrogen fuel.

Paul Corden says, “Hydrogen, natural gas, these all would require massive infastruture, building all across the U.S.” Corden favors developing alternative energy where the infastructure is already in place. That is why he favors electricty .

Walters thinks part of the energy answer lies in your next car. “We need to be able to build cars that give us 65 miles per gallon, we've always been able to do it. Why haven't we done it?" she asks.

So why are they running?
Inglis says public service is a mission and a calling.
Corden says sending an outside with business experience to Washington is the right move.
and Walters says she wants to be a leader who goes to Washington to do the right thing.

Click below to see the FULL INTERVIEW with each candidate.

Bob Inglis
Paul Corden
Faye Walters