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“My first dedication though is to the 3rd District. There is work to be done in Washington, at least another term’s worth.” — Congressman Gresham Barrett, R-Westminster

SENECA — With his fall election opponent known, Gresham Barrett made the rounds of the 3rd Congressional District this week, saying he looks forward to a good debate and hinting that this campaign may be his last … at least for congress.

The three-term Republican incumbent said Democratic challenger Jane Dyer of Easley called him this week before filing her candidacy in Columbia.

“I had a wonderful conversation with her and wished her luck … not too much,” he quipped. “She’s a first class lady and I assured her there would be nothing negative. It’s going to be all positive and about the issues.”

From his point of view, Barrett said the issue he intends to push in this campaign is energy and his belief that South Carolina can become the focal point of national alternative energy efforts. He said a retired Air Force major working in his Washington office is in the process of preparing a “white paper” on how South Carolina can become energy independent.

“Energy is now, it’s the future and it’s really about national security,” Barrett said, pointing to growth in the Southeast and the fact that South Carolina can position itself to take advantage of nuclear, hydrogen, bio-diesel, ethanol and even wind and solar energy opportunities.

Asked if a “white paper” devoted to statewide energy issues might be the beginnings of a rumored run for the South Carolina statehouse, Barrett said it is no secret that he has given thought to seeking the governorship in the future.

“My first dedication though is to the 3rd District,” he said. “There is work to be done in Washington, at least another term’s worth.”

The avowed fiscal conservative is clearly disenchanted with the direction the House of Representatives is headed under Democratic leadership, particularly as it pertains to the budget which he hopes President Bush will veto.

“It’s the wrong direction for the nation, but there is blame enough to go around,” he said. “Have the Republicans been the best stewards the last eight years? No, they have not. The Democrats are not doing a good job either. For as bad as we were, they’re worse.”

Barrett said the budget in its present form increases the size and scope of government, and penalizes business instead of providing incentives for reinvestment. He added that if the budget prevails it would be the equivalent of increasing gas prices to $4 a gallon.

Barrett said he expects “controversial” legislation to be limited during the balance of the term, Congress, instead, waiting to see who leads the next administration. Personally, he hopes for renewal of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act so the government can “listen to the bad guys,” and said he would support the Kingston-Wolf bill calling for a moratorium on all earmarks until the problem of pork-barreling can be dealt with.