Oddly, given the controversy over its anti-Kerry broadcast plans, Sinclair Broadcasting is, at least in one instance, doing something admirable, actually forcing the National Republican Senatorial Committee to change an unfair ad.

From The State:
"Democrats and Republicans have been saying for weeks that the U.S. Senate race has taken a nasty turn.

"Tuesday, two television stations serving the Upstate added to the uproar, objecting to a word in a political ad paid for by national Republicans.

"The ad criticizes Democrat Inez Tenenbaum's record as state education superintendent, saying she 'wasted over $14 million.'

"Barry Faber, general counsel for Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group, said he objected to the word 'wasted.' Sinclair owns WLOS, in Asheville, N.C., which serves Greenville, and operates WBSC, in Greenville.

"Faber reviewed the ad in response to complaints from the Tenenbaum campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats to the U.S. Senate.

"The National Republican Senatorial Committee based the statement on a state Legislative Audit Council report that investigated spending in Tenenbaum's office.

"But Faber said the report didn't back up the Republicans' claim."

Crack the Bell

I watched last night's Demint/Tenenbaum debate sporadically - the Red Sox/Yankees game was just too good to switch from for the duration of the debate, and I had dinner, Sophie and Jack to tend to - so maybe I tuned into this one the way the average voter does, albeit with a slightly more jaded eye. So, I'm only giving my impressions here, and I'll link you to a couple of news stories for gory details. Keep in mind that I am for Inez, so for those of you who are commenting on previous posts on the Senate race, I hope you'll come back in with your views.

It's pretty apparent that Demint's campaign is in trouble. To his credit, from the beginning of his candidacy, Demint tried to wage a campaign of ideas - wrong-headed ideas from my perspective, but his willingness to break with South Carolina political orthodoxy at least deserves some praise. But Demint has lost ground steadily since Labor Day, and it's clear that his last, best hope of hanging on for a win is if people remember Inez is a Democrat on election day. He mentioned John Kerry last night about a dozen times, and I think Inez scored points by reminding him that he's running for the Senate, not President.

It was also interesting to see Jim Demint resort to a Kerryesque defense of his House voting record on questions about benefits and the like for Guard and Reserve members. He seemed caught off guard and was left to mumble something about Inez distorting things. Again, she came back strong, reminding Demint - and voters - that his votes are a matter of public record.

While I think likability is a stupid reason to vote for someone, Inez is winning that x-factor right now. A few months ago, Demint and his handlers were trumpeting his famous 'daughters' TV spot, which made the policy wonk a regular old dad who happened to be running for the Senate. That affable fellow is long gone now, and he's been replaced by a guy who bashing gays and whining that that "nice lady Inez" just doesn't understand. It may still be Demint's race to lose, but he is well on the way to doing so.

For news stories, go here and here.

Crack the Bell

Inez is releasing a new ad, continuing to hit Demint hard on his national sales tax proposal.  See it here: http://www.inez2004.com/media/video7.html

http://www.cracktheBell.com

Jim Demint not only wants to discriminate against gay school teachers, he's also advocating keeping single pregnant women out of the classroom - or maybe not.

On Tuesday, Demint told the Aiken Standard that when it comes to his contention that gays should be banned from teaching,  "I would have given the same answer when asked if a single woman, who was pregnant and living with her boyfriend, should be hired to teach my third grade children," DeMint told the newspaper for Wednesday editions. "I just think the moral decisions are different with a teacher."

Today, however, he's singing a different tune.  From The State:

"DeMint, however, has pulled back, saying it was a mistake to use unwed, pregnant teachers as a way to defend his earlier comment made in a debate with Democrat Inez Tenenbaum.

"'As a Senate candidate, it is my responsibility to present ideas and to answer questions in a way that will let people know what I will do as their U.S. Sen.,' DeMint said. 'I did not do that in this instance.'

"DeMint's campaign manager Terry Sullivan said the three-term congressman, who was raised by a single mother, did not mean to offend anyone with either comment.

"However, DeMint's statement was not an apology to the several gay rights groups that objected to his comments during the debate, Sullivan said.

"DeMint, if elected, does not plan to work for a ban on hiring openly gay teachers, campaign spokesman Geoff Embler said.

"Winthrop University political scientist Scott Huffmon said the apology shows DeMint hasn't helped his campaign this week.

"'It's taking attention away from the issues that he's been talking about,' Huffmon said. "This campaign is spinning its wheels.'"

Crack the Bell

Inez Tenenbaum has closed the gap and now leads Jim DeMint by three points with a month remaining in the race for U.S. Senate, according to a new poll by the Global Strategy Group. Tenenbaum leads DeMint 46% to 43% among likely voters and 46% to 44% among definite voters in the latest poll, reversing results from a poll earlier this month which showed DeMint leading by 3 points among likely voters and 6 points among definite voters. Analysis available at Crack the Bell.

Crack the Bell
The latest incident in the Demint-Tenenbaum race is sure to help Inez's fundraising - and knowing South Carolina win Jim Demint a few thousand votes as well.

Ginny Allen, operations director of the Demint campaign, has been reprimanded by the candidate for comments about homosexuals in an errant email.