The Department of Energy blasted South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges (D)
last week for launching a television advertising campaign criticizing the
Bush administration's plan to move more than 30 metric tons of plutonium
to his state.
"It is well-established in this country that matters of national
security and foreign policy are viewed as nonpartisan and certainly should
never be politicized for personal gain," said department spokesman Joe
Davis. "We strongly urge Governor Hodges to pull his TV ad immediately out
of respect for this national security tradition."
The radioactive material is to be moved, beginning as early as this
month, from a Colorado weapons plant that is being retired in accordance
with a treaty with Russia. It is slated to be converted in South Carolina
into fuel for nuclear power plants.
Hodges, a Democrat seeking reelection, worries that the conversion plan
might fall through, leaving the material in his state forever. He has
pressed the administration for some kind of enforceable guarantee to
prevent that.
Last week, Hodges took his case to the airwaves, with a statewide ad
campaign that, amid pictures of people in radiation suits, told viewers:
"Call the Department of Energy and tell them you support our governor.
Tell Washington, 'No plutonium dumping in South Carolina.' "
Kevin Geddings, a former Hodges staffer who helped produce the ads,
said they will not be pulled and accused the Bush administration of
politicizing the issue.
"They're taking dangerous plutonium from Colorado to South Carolina
because George Bush is rampantly popular in South Carolina and probably
not as popular in Colorado," Geddings said. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) is
also running for reelection this year.
Mass. Governor May Join Postal Board When She
Leaves
Massachusetts Acting Gov. Jane Swift, who has had her share of
challenges juggling duties as the Bay State's Republican-in-charge and a
working mother of three, is weighing a part-time job on the board that
oversees the U.S. Postal Service when she leaves office in January, among
other options, according to GOP insiders.
Swift announced that she would not seek reelection in March, just hours
before businessman and Winter Olympics organizing committee presidentMitt
Romney was to launch a primary bid against her.
The prospect of a federal post arose the next month when Swift visited
the White House, one party insider said. The position -- appointed by the
president and confirmed by the Senate -- pays up to $42,000 a year,
including travel and meeting expenses, which would allow her to continue
to live in western Massachusetts and spend more time with her three young
daughters. Swift spokeswoman Sarah Magazine would say only that Swift is
considering a number of options.
"The governor is focused on doing her job as governor, and obviously,
she would be flattered to serve the Bush administration in a position such
as that or be of service to the federal government in any way she can,"
Magazine said.
Special correspondent Pamela Ferdinand contributed to this
report.
