Spratt to Fort Mill-area Democrats: We need to 'keep spending in line'

By Kimberly Dick - kdick@heraldonline.com

FORT MILL --

At a time when the economy and some national political movements have pushed voters to make a change, U.S. Rep. John Spratt called on Fort Mill-area Democrats to support the party in fall elections.

To a group of 25 Democrats at the Fort Mill Democratic Forum at Towne Tavern Monday night, the York congressman said his largest concern in his bid for reelection this fall isn't his opponent, Republican state Sen. Mick Mulvaney, but the timing of recent events. People aren't happy with the economy and policies, he said.

Spratt hopes to change that perception, and Monday night he pointed out the positives coming from Washington.

Mick Mulvaney

Speaking to a friendly crowd, Spratt, who is chairman of the House Budget Committee, explained the status of the U.S. House's budget, something he said is in place despite not having a resolution.

"We need something to keep spending in line," he said. "We need something that causes people to stop and say, 'Can we afford it?' We've got that in place.... Don't worry about the fact we don't have a budget."

In late June, the budget vote stalled and was replaced by other measures, including an alternative budget resolution calling for a cap on discretionary spending at levels lower than those in President Barack Obama's fiscal 2011 budget.

Spratt detailed the country's deficit and unemployment numbers when Obama took office, talking about its positive turnaround and indicators for the future.

"These decisions have been difficult to make," Spratt said. "Considering where we've been the last year, namely the economy, (and) thinking about what we've had to work with, it's fairly remarkable what we've been able to achieve."

Mulvaney criticized Spratt in The Herald after the Democrats didn't pass a budget, saying Spratt's focus was on the big-spending health care plan instead of his budget chairman duties.

Attendees also questioned Spratt about his vote on health care, to which he said he's frequently thanked for his vote on Obama's health care bill, a bill he said was redrawn and renegotiated several times before becoming law.

Some in attendance questioned Spratt's campaign plans and how he plans to take on Mulvaney in the Nov. 2 election. While he said polls have him slightly ahead, Spratt didn't elaborate on the details. He said his campaign will include a focus on print journalism - something he still believes in - as well as TV and radio advertisements.

Democratic forums are held monthly in Fort Mill, Lake Wylie and in York starting later this summer.