SC Gov. Sanford's shadow looms in debate | AP News | Our Gazette

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SC Gov. Sanford's shadow looms in debate

Published Friday, January 29, 2010 8:13 AM

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Disgraced South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was feet from the stage, but cast a large shadow over the four Republicans debating Thursday how they'd fill the shoes of the man who wrecked his political and personal life with an affair that made him a national joke.

And the questions this time were coming from MSNBC "Morning Joe" show hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski.

Brzezinski asked state Rep. Nikki Haley, a Lexington legislator most closely aligned with Sanford's political agenda, whether the two-term governor was a liability. "No, I don't worry about liabilities," Haley said. Instead, she and other candidates pointed out that Sanford had done plenty of good for the state by pushing cuts in spending and restructuring government.

But, Haley noted, "through all of this, we should never have put the reform movement on one person."

U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett called him a stalwart in accountability, restructuring and for taxpayers.

Scarborough said "sorry Mark" to his old buddy from the U.S. House as he asked if the past year's events had hurt the state and pressed Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer to explain why he asked for Sanford's resignation last year.

Sanford didn't quit. "He's weathered the storm very well. I don't know quite frankly how he's done it," Bauer said. "At the time, I just thought it was best that the state move forward."

And Brzezinski asked Attorney General Henry McMaster whether Sanford would face criminal prosecution for 37 ethics law charges. McMaster said he would make the decision when it was appropriate.

"That is not the thing that you rush or you slow down for political purposes," McMaster said.

Scarborough asked why Sanford's fiscal philosophies have been in play for seven years, yet the state's jobless rate is higher than the national average. December's 12.6 percent rate was a state record and the nation's fourth-highest.

Barrett questioned Sanford's leadership abilities. "You can have the best philosophies. You can have the best ideas in the world, but if you can't accomplish anything in the political process, then it's all for naught," Barrett said.

South Carolina governors for generations have complained about how the Legislature dominates the state and limits their power. But Sanford has had a tougher time than most as he's sparred with them in court and in press releases. Last year he tried to block federal stimulus cash in lawsuits in federal and state court; he famously toted squirming piglets to the doors of the state House to protest the handling of his budget vetoes.

"You've got to work with people. You've got to lead people," Barrett said.

The preoccupation with Sanford wasn't surprising seven months after Sanford returned to the state with a tearful confession of an affair. First lady Jenny Sanford filed for divorce and her memoirs are to be published next week. Sanford "is the gift that keeps on giving," said Chip Felkel, a Greenville political consultant.

Meanwhile, Bauer defended remarks last week that compared the state's poor to stray animals, sparking a searing week of national criticism. Last week, he recalled that his grandmother told him not to feed strays: "You know why? Because they breed! You're facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don't think too much further than that."

Brzezinski asked him about the storm the words started. "I didn't find myself in a controversy," he responded. "The media found a controversy."

Bauer said plenty of people are praising him. In an earlier portion of a debate that had to be restarted because of audio problems, Bauer said Republicans need someone to speak up about things others are unwilling to say. "Political correctness is not only killing this state, but it's killing this country," Bauer said.

Bauer won the evening's first round of applause when he asked about federal grants and loans for a Dillon County school in one of the state's poorest districts. "Again, we don't want to talk about the real problem. You can build that new school. You can fix it up. You're going to get the same problem out of it until you address the problem."

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Gov. Mark Sanford

Tuesday, February 02, 2010 1:23 AM

After reading your article I find you like nothing better to print than smut! What about all the good things Mark Sanford has done for S.C. He tried to block the stimulus money because:
(1) WE the tax payers have to pay it back & probably with interest. After all, when did the govt. give the tax payers anything for free. We PAY for everything with our taxes.
(2) The original package for the stimulus money first contained
funds for education, roads, extending unemployment and
welfare. The final stimulus money for S.C. ended up being extended unemployment benefits and welfare.
(3) Which stands to reason why anyone would want to go back to work when they can draw unemployment for nearly 2 yrs. and qualify at the same time for welfare & food stamps.
(4) So figure it out taxpayers, YOU are paying for all of the extended unemployment, welfare and food stamps.
Why does the writer of this article leave out important information such as this.
I am sorry for Mark Sanford and his family. But I think we can see the downfall of a lot of people due to the moral decay of this country.
So why don't we see any articles about Mayor Riley removing the Nativity Scene. I think removing the Nativity Scene from the fire dept. in Charleston , by Mayor Riley, is just as much as a disgrace. especially since Charleston is referred to as, The Holy City. I was born in Charleston where the history is great. You can not construct any buildings higher than a church steeple.
I sure there is meaning and reason for this ! Think about it !

If you believe in morals, then you must realize there is a moral giver, and that is God. The God of Abraham and Abraham's son, Isaac, not Ishmael.
Genesis 17:7 I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will make it exceedingly.
Genesis 16:12 And he, Ishmael, will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Ishmael, the son of Hager the Egyptian , represents the Muslim nation and they do not serve the God of Abraham.
Sin did not begin with Gov. Sanford, and it will not end with Gov. Sanford. We all will be accountable to God, and he places no level on sin, Sin is Sin. For all of you in leadership positions and others who continue to deny Jesus this is what He says to you.
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
The United States of America was founded on Judeo-Christian religious principles, which principles serve as the basis for our democracy. How many of our Nation's leaders can't read? When I was visiting Washington, D.C. I saw God's word written all over the walls of many different buildings, including the Ten Commandments. Seems some of our leaders have not abandoned the principles upon which we were founded and may God Bless then for it. And one more thing, it was never intended that God be taken out of the State, however, it was intended that the State stay out of the Church. This is the true definition of Separation of Church and State.
And on a personal note:
If you are one of those who is in denial of Christ, I wouldn't want to go fishing with you during an electrical storm !

Posted by: Marie Clapp , Givhans, SC

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