Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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www.dailygamecock.com WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2002 Since 1908 -- ■■■ 1 ■ . . - ELECTION 2002 . GOP dominates at state Sanford ekes out a victory over Hodges for governor BY MICHAEL LAFORGIA, EMMA RITCH AND CHARLES TOMLINSON TIIKOAMBCOCK In a tight bid for South Carolina gbvernor, Mark Sanford defeated incumbent k Jim Hodges in a race that fo * cused on education and the economy. Sanford received 53 percent of the vote, with 94 percent of precincts reporting. Sanford named the deficit as his major problem coming into the governor’s office. “I’d say we have an economy that needs to be spurred,” he said. “It’s a daunting challenge but cer tainly a goal.” He said Hodges overlooked the economy. Will Folks, Sanford’s press secretary, said the victory showed the “fact that the peo ple recognize the need for lead ership on the economy, on ed ucation and on government re structuring.” Sanford said his victory was not a Republican victory, but one for taxpayers everywhere. Sanford said he was “hum bled by the task” he faced, but noted that Hodges improved education during his term. “We will work hard to improve education and the quality of life in South Carolina,” he said. Many voters said Sanford’s stand on school vouchers was a deciding factor in the election. Samantha Thomas, a grad uate student in library sci ence and a teacher, said, “I voted for Sanford because I am pro-voucher and I am ready for a change in the edu ♦ SANFORD, SEE PAGE 2 HHUIU BY JOHNNY HAYNto/THt GAMtCOUH Republican Mark Sanford defeated incumbent Jim Hodges in a tight race that focused on education and the economy, including taxes and school vouchers. Graham wins tight race for key spot in U.S. Senate BY KEITA ALSTON, ADAM BEAM, ALLYSON BIRD AND WENDY JEFFCOAT THE OAMECOCK While South Carolina voters sent a new senator to Washington for the first time in 36 years, the party ties stayed the same as Republican Lindsey Graham defeated Democrat Alex Sanders to re place 46-year Senate veteran Strom Thurmond. Graham, 47, told voters throughout the state that he would adamantly support President Bush. He kept to his promise in his victory speech to more than 400 people at the Adams Mark Hotel in Columbia Tuesday night. “Mr. President, help is on the way,” he said. The victory was coupled with that of Republican Mark Sanford, who unseated Democrat Jim Hodges for the governor’s office. The last time this Senate spot was open was 1954, the year be fore Graham was born. He said that, while his generation needs to reform Social Security, the next generation needs to focus on winning the war on terror ism. “Tough times ahead for the country, but nothing we can’t overcome,” he said. “You’re our future. People your age are fight ing and winning this war. Your generation is going to be looked on like the World War II veter ans.” Kevin Bishop, Graham’s ♦ GRAHAM, SEE PAGE 2 I PHOTO BY JASON STEELMAN/THE GAMECOCK Lindsey Graham, 47, defeated Democrat Alex Sanders to keep Strom Thurmond’s Senate seat under GOP control. Thurmond has held the seat for 46 years. Statewide Offices Governor Jim Hodges - Democrat Tom Pickett - Independent B Mark Sanford - Republican ft Lieutenant Governor J Phil Leventis - Democrat WtKLJH Kenneth Curtis - Libertarian B" Andre Bauer - Republican <Bauer ft Secretary of State Rick Wade - Democrat Gf Mark Hammond - Republican Treasurer Grady Patterson - Democrat fi^Greg Ryberg - Republican Attorney General Steve Benjamin - Democrat Ef Henry McMaster - Republican Comptroller McMaster Jim Lander - Democrat J& Richard A. Eckstrom - Republican Superintendent of Education B’lnezTenenbaum - Democrat Al Hater - Constitution Marva Manigault Libertarian Dan Hiltgen - Republican Agriculture Commissioner* John Long - Democrat Tenenbaum Charles Sharpe - Republican Adjutant General BfStan Spears - Republican U.S. Senate Ted Adams - Constitution Alex Sanders - Democrat . Victor Kocher - Libertarian BSf' Lindsey Graham - Republican U.S. Rep. for 2nd District James Legg - Libertarian B? A.G. “Joe” Wilson - Republican Wi,son Mark Whittington - United Citizens Party ‘Winner not reported at press time Democrats struggle for Senate seats BY DAVID ESPO THE ASSOCIATED l-HESS Republicans marched to ward continued control of the House on Tuesday and Democrats fought to defend their slender Senate majority . in midterm elections. President ' Bush’s brother coasted to a new term as governor of Florida. Republicans won two high profile Senate races, Elizabeth Dole prevailing in North Carolina and John Sununu in New Hampshire. In Maryland, Robert Ehrlich was elected governor—the first Republican in more than three decades. In Illinois, Rep. Rod Blagojevich captured the state house for the Democrats for the first time in more than a quar ter century. Democrats needed to gain seven seats to win control of the House, and the trend was against them. Republican Rep. Anne Northup won a new term in Kentucky, while Democratic Rep. Karen Thurman trailed narrowly in Florida. In Indiana, the Republican candidate led for a Democratic open seat, and the GOP retained an open seat in New Hampshire. At the White House, Bush made a round of congratulato ry telephone calls — including one to his younger brother in Florida. He and the Republicans bat tled history as well as Democrats in the congressional races. The president’s party had lost House seats in every midterm election except three in the past century, an average of 30 seats. The average midterm loss of Senate seats was four. But the GOP had advantages, as well. These included a politi cal landscape transformed by ♦ NATIONAL, SEE PAGE 5 Republican Jeb Bush held onto his position as governor of Florida after Tuesday night’s election. PHOTO COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS Index Comics and Crossword 11 Classifieds ~ 14 Horoscopes U Letters to the Editor 8 Online Poll 8 Police Report 6 Weather TODAY tomorrow & # j High 65 High 60 Low 41 Low 39 Inside ♦ NEWS SEC chairman suddenly resigns. Page 6 ♦VIEWPOINTS Phil Watson discusses the intrigue of campaign commercials. Page 8 ♦ THE MIX Colorado-based Leftover Salmon will bring its unique style of “slam-grass” to Senate Park on Wednesday night. Page 9 ♦ SPORTS The women’s soccer team faces Florida tomorrow in its first-round match at the SEC Tournament. Page 12 Athletics Department studies whether it meets the NCAA certification standards BY WENDY JEFFCOAT TIIK (lAMKUICK The USC Athletics Department is trying to complete a certifica tion process to be in compliance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s standards for Division I schools. Pat Moody, dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sports Administration, said USC has been conducting a self-study for the past year to make sure the university is conforming to the NCAA’s 13 standards - separated into the areas of academic and fiscal integrity; governance, eq uity, welfare and sportsman ship. Moody is the chairwoman of USC’s self siuuy uummiuee. “I believe we have an out standing Department of Athletics, and (Athletics Department Director Mike) McGee runs a very tight ship,” she said. “They have an inter est and con cern for stu dents across the board.” me committee interviewed hundreds of people, including business managers, student ath letes and faculty members, to try to prove the Athletics Department meets the standards. Moody said nearly 60 people were involved in conducting the study. Susan Peal, the NCAA repre sentative conducting the official certification process, said that if schools find they are not in agree ment with the NCAA guidelines, then they must make plans to im prove until they conform to the ♦ NCAA, SEE PAGE 4 A committee interviewed student athletes, faculty and coaches to report whether USC conforms to the NCAA guidelines.