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Clic (5amctock Lottery fan page 1 I over the lottery issue,” said Kerry Ma 1 her, the man who played Georgia con venience store clerk “Bubba” in a se ries of ads for the pro-lottery campaign. For lottery opponents, the vote was a devastating defeat. “We are of course disappointed with the results of this referendum, but we are proud of the valiant fight we made and hopeful for South Carolina’s future,” said Kathy Bingham, chairman of “No Lottery 2000” and one of the most vo cal lottery opponents. According to Bingham, the result wasn’t for a lack of effort on the part of lottery opponents. “We gave our best, we fought the good fight,” Bingham said with tears in her eyes. “We have no regrets and we end our journey satisfied that we have alerted the state to the dangers that lie ahead and leave behind a groundswell of support for our public education sys tem.” But the defeat wasn’t all negative, Bingham said. “Tonight we are disappointed, but our lives are richer for the efforts we gave, for the friendships we made, for the walls we tore down and for the cer tain knowledge that we gave it our best,” Bingham said. Other lottery opponents echoed that sentiment. “So many good things have come from the new network of relationships that cross party lines and racial lines that we can only believe that only more good things can follow,” said Ken Wingate, a member of the “No Lottery 2000” ex ecutive board. Wingate said lottery opponents wouldn’t stop trying to improve Geor gia education. “The ‘Bubba’ character has been saying with tongue in cheek, ‘We love South Carolina,’ but we truly love South Carolina and will continue to work tire-' lessly to bring education improvements,” Wingate said. Lexington Republican Chair Tom my Windsor said he was surprised by the results. “It’s very hard to argue against peo ple who say they’ll send kids to college for free — even if it’s not true,” Charles Prashaw and Amanda Silva contributed to this report. The city/state desk can be reached at gamecockcitydesk@hotmaiLcoin. U.S. Election f cm page 1 out to dinner while awaiting election re turns. “I don’t believe some of these states they’ve called, like Florida,” Bush said, before the Gore electoral victory was re called. But Bush demonstrated respect for Gore, refusing to underestimate the De mocratic contender. “I’ve run against a formidable oppo nent,” Bush said. Nearing 1:30 in the morning, seven states were still “too close to call,” in cluding Florida, Oregon and Iowa. With Florida shaping up to be the de ciding factor, the Gore camp, once con fident they would carry the state governed by Bush’s brother Jeb, admitted by night’s end that a defeat was possible. “It looks like the candidate who wins Florida will be the next president of the United States,” Gore spokesman Mark Fabiani said. By midnight, Bush had defeated Gore in 29 states for 246 electoral votes. Gore had won 18 states and the District of Columbia with an electoral tally of242. With votes from 72 percent of precincts reported nationally. Bush was leading the popular vote with more than 37 million votes, and Gore trailed behind him, just a few hundred thousand short of Bush’s to tal. While Nader’s presence was felt, Re form candidate Pat Buchanan barely reg istered in the popular tally. At least one clear electoral message was sent earlier in the evening when it was confirmed Republicans would re tain control of the House of Representa tives. Republicans even gained one De mocratic seat in Nevada. Democrats picked up a few Republican seats in Florida, but not enough to unseat the solidified GOP majority. In New York, Hillary Rodham Clin ton dealt a defeating blow to Republican Senate contender Rick Lazio, who stepped in the race against Clinton in lieu of Newf York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who bowed out this past spring because of a battle with prostate cancer. Clinton will take over the Senate seat from retiring Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan, defeating Lazio 52 percent to 42 percent. Clinton greeted a cheering New York crowd, accepting victory from New York residents who elected an Arkansas out sider to be one of the state’s most pow erful legislators. “You taught me, you tested me,” Clinton told the crowd. “I am determined to make a difference for all of you.” The Associated Press contributed to this report. The city/state desk can be reached at gamecockcitydesk@hotinail.com. $ S.C. Congressional fan page 1 “The voters can trust him,” Dell said “They know where he stands on issues, and they know Congressman Spence is in touch with his constituents.” Early in the evening, Dell was confident of a Spence win. “We (were) expecting a large vic tory, and Spence plans on partying with the rest of the Republicans at Seawell’s after the results are announced,” Dell said. Spence Office Deputy Manager Taryn Shekitka was also anticipating the win, along with a sizeable maigin of per centage points. The expectation maigin for a Spence victory was “anywhere from 5 to 10 per cent,” Shekitka said. “He has a strong record of working for the state and district, and he had the incumbency go ing for him, and Congressman Spence has strong emotional bonds to the state.” USC student Brandon Falls, 18, vot ed for Rep. Spence after Spence made agood impression on him in high school. “He came to an ROTC program while I was in high school,” Falls said. “I met him there, and he was a really nice guy, and this is my way of repay ing him.” Spence was encouraged by the Re publican congressional victories. “It’s great, I just can’t believe it,” Spence said. “I couldn’t be more pleased at tonight’s turnout.” State Senator Joe Wilson of Lex ington District 23 was also very pleased with local results. “I’ve seen a phenomenal turnout in Lexington County. I’m very proud of Congressman Floyd Spence’s victory.” Local Republicans were cautiously optimistic in the historically close Bush/Gore election. Henry McMaster, Chairman of South Carolina Republi can National Committee was hopeful for the Texas governor. “We’re excited. It’saback-and-forth kind of election,” McMaster said. Republican incumbents won big in the congressional election, with Hen ry E. Brown defeating Andrew Clay borne Brack in House District 1. In Dis trict 3,.Lindsay 0. Graham defeated George L. Brightharp, and incumbent Jim DeMint ran unopposed in District 4. Some Democrats up for re-election made a strong showing as well. John M. Spratt defeated Carl H. Gul lick for the House District 5 seat. Democratic congressional incum bent Jim Clyburn was elected to his fourth term representing South Car olina District 6 in a landslide election, taking 78 percent of the vote and hand ily defeating Republican challenger Vince Ellison. Clyburn, who is the first African American to be elected to S.C. Congress since post-Reconstruction, has run on a solid platform of urban improvement. He has initiated a $10 million empow erment fund for Columbia and Sumter and worked for the historic preservation of houses. His Historic Home Owner ship Assistance Act gives “tax credit# for families who renovate and build homes in historic neighborhoods,” ac cording to his Web site. Regardless of the Republican sweep, according to Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Or angeburg District 66, the idea of South Carolina’s Congress becoming Democ ratic is not such a farfetched one. She said it “depends on the people in South Carolina if Democrats take con gressional seats. Democrats have to fight for their seats.” The city/state desk can be reached at gamecockcitydesk@hotmaiLcom. 4 $10 OFF ANY 3 DAY RENTAL I 714-0089 5317 Two Notch Rd Columbia 732-7775 7940 Broad River Rd. Irmo •No credit card needed • locally owned a operated 739-2770 1017 Sunset Blvd West Columbia 356-1072 115 West Main St. Lexington .COUPON Maurice's B-B-Q ■ r One coupon per customer. 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