On The Issues: Congressional Candidate Bobbie Rose

By now, voters have seen countless commercials and received many communications via phone and mail in reference to the election on Nov. 6. Often overlooked within this torrent of information is what the candidates actually believe and how they feel they can best serve you, their constituents.

At Patch, our number one goal is to serve you, our readers. We feel one of the best ways to do that is to provide you with resources that make your life ridiculously easy by allowing you to make informed decisions regarding your vote. With this in mind, we sent a questionnaire to the leading candidates for the Lowcountry's Congressional Seat, which is currently held by Tim Scott (R).

Rep. Scott did not answer the questions.

The responses of his Democratic challenger, Bobbi Rose are below, unedited.

1. The approval ratings for Congress are at record lows. Yet individual House members are as popular as ever. How do you explain this? What would you do to improve the public’s assessment of Congress? 

I don’t think the voting public scrutinizes the voting records of Congressional members. While they disapprove of Congress as a whole, they usually know, have met, or have some connection with their own member of Congress, and don’t believe that he or she is part of the problem. I will promote voting records in terms that a constituent can understand and use to determine whether or not their Representative is voting it their best interests.  

2. How important do you think it is to vote with your party?  

I am a member of the Democratic Party because we hold the same core principles. However, as a Representative, my first responsibility would be to my constituents, not my party.

3. Can you think of an issue where you agree with the opposing party?

I agree with the opposing party when they say we must  create jobs for Americans. However, I vehemently disagree with their method for creating these jobs; cutting taxes on our corporations and the wealthiest in our country, hoping they will deign to create jobs for the rest of us. This is “trickle down” economics and has never been successful. I believe we must invest in projects that create middle-class jobs that pay a living wage, and invest in educational opportunities for our unemployed residents. 

4. Imagine you were approached by party leadership and told you could pick one issue of your choice and try to pass legislation on that issue. What would be the issue and what would you do to fix it? 

I would opt for a major infrastructure project which would address much-needed upgrading, put people to work at a living wage and reap the benefits for our generation, and for our children and grandchildren. We must begin to reward long-term thinking in government.

5. Earlier this year, President Obama approved funding to dredge Charleston Harbor. What else could the President and/or federal government do to help the Harbor? 

They can agree that Charleston Harbor is strategically the most important port in the southeast. They can commit to fast-tracking all permits and  ensure that the funds will be available as needed to complete this project.

6. Completion of I-526 seems to have stalled. What could and should be done at the federal level to see its completion?  

I-526 is a state level issue. I have seen contradictory evidence that this highway will in fact alleviate traffic problems in Charleston. Until there is clear evidence that I-526 will be beneficial the project will remain a divisive issue.  

7. Do you believe the Lowcountry needs to improve its public transportation options? And if so, what role should the federal government play?

Our most vulnerable communities are lacking in public transportation options.  It is imperative that we address the lack of access these families have to their workplaces, shopping and educational facilities. Federal grants could help to open up these areas to more mobility and opportunities.   

8. What is your position on drilling for gas/oil off the South Carolina coast? 

I am opposed to offshore drilling for SC. There is too much risk to our economy, our environment and our tourism industry. We owe it to the residents of our state to protect SC from dangerous exploitation simply to increase profits for Big Oil. 

9. Do you believe that the Savannah River Nuclear Site should continue to accept nuclear waste? If not, where should it go? 

We should not continue to accept nuclear waste. It should be shipped to Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to the waste facility that was strategically chosen, equipped and designated to accept this type of waste.  

10. Please use the space below for a closing statement or to address issues not mentioned above.  

I am running to be a Representative for the 1st. Congressional District, because we currently don’t have one. We have a Congressman, not a Representative. I want voters to know they have a clear choice on Nov. 6th., an ultra-conservative, Tea Party Incumbent, or a Progressive, forward-thinking Democrat. I stand with the people of the First District, and the people of South Carolina. I urge you to stand with me.