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McCAIN PICKS UP BIG GUBERNATORIAL SUPPORT SANS SANFORD
John McCain’s presidential campaign just sent out a list of six Republican governors who announced today that they are endorsing the Arizona Senator. Mississippi’s Haley Barbour, Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal, Georgia’s Sonny Perdue, Alabama’s Bob Riley, North Dakota’s John Hoeven, and Hawaii’s Linda Lingle all gave their support to the GOP’s soon-to-be nominee.
But that heavyweight list is missing one name, our own Mark Sanford. At a time when the entire party is rallying around McCain and Sanford — despite his almost overwhelming baggage — is on everyone’s short list to be McCain’s running mate, the governor is still for some reason withholding his support.
Is it that he hasn’t found the right moment yet? Is he waiting for more cameras to be around? Is he trying to continue feigning indifference? Or is this just sour grapes after cowardice cost him his moment of national glory?
These new endorsements make Sanford look absolutely foolish. He is one of the most politically ambitious governors we’ve had in a while, yet when his final term ends in less than two years, he’s going to be left with absolutely no opportunities. He can’t run for governor again, he can’t run for U.S. Senate, and if he wanted to become vice president or win a cabinet post, he sure isn’t doing himself any favors.
More and more it’s looking like Sanford is just lost in the woods, all alone and not sure how to salvage a once-promising governorship.
He would be lost in a broom closet!
he’s politically calculating something….. sneaky sneaky
Maybe he’s an Obamacan! (Republicans for Obama)
CGB – http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2008/02/13/cnn-knows-why-sanford-didnt-endorse/
I think he might have a crush on Obama.
I found this piece wretchedly and pathetically insulting. How dare you presume to think you know what is going on in Governor Sanford’s mind? Ambitious? Yes, so what? Perhaps he has other concerns of which your shallow, narrow mind cannot conceive, maybe – gasp – he is sick of the constant haranguing from you and others with a lot of mouth and busily typing fingers but no gumption. Maybe he cannot support McCain, and his conscience will not allow him to run with someone he cannot support. He has always talked about being a small ‘l’ libertarian, trying to work for cost cutting and responsibility in government, and McCain is about as far away from that as any other front-running Republican candidate. He did, after all, the night prior to the first SC Republican debate, say that Ron Paul at least understood what was wrong with the US fiduciary system. Or maybe you missed that in your rush to snipe at him in other ways.
There was and is no excuse for this sort of viciousness.
Hey ‘Trouble”, Yes you…”Trouble” I am speaking to you……
CHECK THIS OUT, THIS IS AMAZING!
Mark Sanford avoiding the topic of illegal immigration
Sanford was asked, “why are public funds being used to for private communities which use illegal immigrant labor.” Watch as he never actually answers the question.
VIDEO LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHJohB8htGk
and here’s another one…
Senator Jake Knotts on Governor Sanford’s State of the State
VIDEO LINK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBa2xU54Nng
MORE AMAZING VIDEO:
RE: Mark Sanford
John Land on Workers’ Comp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgkySCB5pSM
Hey Trouble – I have to tell you…What a creepy shoutdown…you and the Govendevelopnor Sanfraud will get along just fine, you sound almost Sanfraud like….could it be Sanfraud himself on this blog…that’s almost too funny.
BTW, the only viciousness that I’m seeing is coming from YOU.
SC Governor Attempts to Interfere with Workers’ Compensation Commission
South Carolina Governor Marshall (Mark) Sanford has attempted to exert his will upon the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. Basically, he is trying to tell an arm of the judicial branch how to do its job, ignoring the mandates established by the legislative branch when it established the Commission. The following is an article written by John P. Freeman, who is the John T. Campbell professor of business and professional ethics at the University of South Carolina School of Law, which provides excellent insight and analysis to this situation:
THE GOVERNOR’S INTERFERENCE
We all studied civics in school. We learned about such things as how there are three separate branches of government: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. Remember the lesson? We were taught that the legislature writes the laws, the executive branch enforces the laws and the judiciary interprets the laws. This separation of powers was designed to protect citizens from excessive power being wielded by any single branch.
Unfortunately, it appears Gov. Mark Sanford cut class the day the foregoing civics lesson was taught.
His lack of education about separation of powers (or his deliberate disregard for the concept) was shown on Sept. 20 when he promulgated an executive order that directed commissioners on the Workers Compensation Commission to change how they decide cases. He commanded them to strictly use “objective standards” in rendering awards.
His aim was to reduce awards for injured workers, thereby saving money for his political base, namely the business community and insurance companies. What Gov. Sanford sought to orchestrate was a wealth transfer: Workers take less, his political base pays less.
Make no mistake about it. Gov. Sanford, the executive branch’s leader, intended to change the law by manipulation of judges he assumed he could control. We know this because when he signed the order at his press conference, comments made by him and his invited guests, business lobbyists, were captured on videotape. On that tape we find Gov. Sanford billing his “objective standards” approach as adding to the workers compensation law something “that was lacking.” Business lobbyists present at the press conference praised Gov. Sanford for “today… implementing objective standards into the workers compensation system for the first time.”
This new requirement pleased the business lobbyists since the Legislature, the government branch actually empowered to write laws, had refused to enact objective standards in the last legislative session.
To enforce his command that workers comp awards be reduced, Gov. Sanford’s order demanded that each commissioner report to the governor quarterly about adherence to the order’s award-cutting command. Implicit in the reporting requirement was the suggestion that failure to follow directions exposed a recalcitrant commissioner to punishment, either removal or the governor’s failure to reappoint.
One of the lobbyists at the order-signing press conference explained that the governor’s right to pressure workers compensation commissioners to change the law was rooted in a “pretty simple concept.” The commissioners, he explained, “are not judges…. They are part of the executive branch. (Gov. Sanford) is the leader of the executive branch.” Another lobbyist later chimed in that “Even making a decision on whether or not to follow the governor’s executive order is improper because the commissioners are not judges.”
What smug business lobbyists and Gov. Sanford have now learned is that a Workers Compensation commissioner is not a puppet on a string. Each actually is a judge from an ethical standpoint, having been placed under the Canons of Judicial Ethics by the Legislature in 2005. Those ethical precepts demand that commissioners must act 24/7 with impartiality and integrity. They are ethically commanded to be faithful to the law and to disregard outsiders who seek to steer their decision-making.
The commissioners’ high ethical standards prevent them from dispensing favors to special interest groups, even when the governor who appointed them orders them to do so.
Political conservatives decry judicial activism, and Gov. Sanford presents himself as a conservative. But his aim in signing this executive order was anything but conservative. It was judicial activism personified. Gov. Sanford sought to manipulate judges in order to change the law to favor the business community, his political base. In their order flatly rejecting Gov. Sanford’s command, the Workers Compensation commissioners offered the governor a make-up assignment for that civics lesson he seems to have missed years ago. They also provided an example of professional integrity he would do well to emulate.
The rest of us can learn lessons from this episode as well. For one thing, we need to remember that those who seek to manipulate judicial decision-making are not working to serve the common good. Their intent is to benefit themselves, the special interest groups. The Workers Compensation commissioners’ steadfastness proves we have public servants with backbones and 20/20 vision.
Mr. Freeman is the John T. Campbell professor of business and professional ethics at the USC School of Law.
http://www.scpilaw.com/2007/11/sc-governor-att.html
John Land on Workers’ Comp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgkySCB5pSM
vicious
Sanford never had the support of the Republican Senators and Representatives. Maybe some of them will get defeated this time around!
You understimate Sanford’s arrogance. He does not want to be VP…he want’s to be President.
McCain is likely to lose in 08, or if elected, to be a one term president.
Sanford BELIEVES he is destined to be pres…so he waits and spins his web of hidden money, think tanks, speaches around the country, etc.
Mark Sanford Video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6329328762201502804&q=mark+sanford&total=72&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2
by Carroll Campbell III
Sanford Hiding True Agenda on Ports
I write these words with sadness and a profound sense of disappointment. I worked very hard to help elect Mark Sanford governor in 2002. I even persuaded my father to support Mark in a contested Republican primary, in what turned out to be my Dad’s last campaign.
I did so because I truly believed Mark Sanford was a man of honor, vision and integrity. Sadly, I was wrong. To put this conclusion in perspective, a little background is required.
In 2003, Gov. Sanford appointed me to serve on the board of the State Ports Authority, which I was happy to do. This year, he asked me to resign.
When I pressed him for an explanation, at first he gave bogus reasons about the nature of my business (a governmental consulting business) possibly creating the appearance of a conflict of interest despite the fact that I am not a lobbyist. However, there are several other sitting board members that are either lobbyist principals or serve as a contact for lobbyist principals, yet Gov. Sanford has made no attempt to remove them. Gov. Sanford now claims that the most important reason for my removal was that I did not support his plan to relinquish ownership and management of one of our most precious and valuable state resources, our ports.
After reading all of the misinformation being spun by the governor and Tom Davis, his chief of staff, I feel obligated to set the record straight. Gov. Sanford ended my service on the board of the State Ports Authority for one reason: He couldn’t control my vote. His hidden agenda for our ports would lead to union control, which would be a disaster for South Carolina.
The tension between us began to intensify when the governor appointed ally Tom Davis to serve a term on the ports board. As a member of the board, Davis’ mission was clear. His first action item was to inform us that the governor wanted to relinquish control of our ports and had a plan to partner with a company in Jasper County that was 100 percent unionized.
I couldn’t believe Mark Sanford wanted to turn our ports over to a system governed by labor unions. I was amazed that a man who calls himself a conservative Republican would suggest this.
Davis pushed hard to influence the board. Fortunately, we resisted. In 2005, by a vote of 5-3, the board blocked the governor’s plan. Since then, the governor and Davis, who has now returned as chief of staff, have treated me with growing hostility, which ended with the request for my resignation.
It is important for the public to understand the seriousness of the issue. The governor is attempting to stack the Ports Board with members who will obey his command. If he succeeds, he may well try again.
Selling our ports to a union company or “partnering” with a unionized company would be an unmitigated disaster. Just ask the business community in Los Angeles/Long Beach. Three years ago the ships were stacked up for days and weeks because of labor disputes. Not only did it damage the economy in California; it also caused a negative economic impact on the entire country. We do not want that type of port model here in South Carolina.
Attracting private capital is a good thing. I support public-private partnerships. But we must never support a business model that requires our state to surrender our precious and valuable port assets to a unionized company.
Knowing what I know today, I’m not surprised Gov. Sanford made similar efforts to intimidate his appointees on the Workers Compensation Commission. He even contacted a state Circuit judge about an active case, which is improper if not illegal. Small wonder Mark Sanford was selected by Time magazine as one of America’s three worst governors.
When Gov. Sanford removed me from the ports board, I filed legal action challenging his decision. However, I have now decided to withdraw the appeal. I still believe there is a strong legal case to be made that he exceeded his authority and acted improperly; but this is not about me. With everything that has transpired, I have no desire to regain my seat on the board. The most important thing is for the truth to be told.
Contrary to his image as a conservative reformer, Mark Sanford’s “my way or the highway” brand of management and his serial deceptions have alienated his friends and paralyzed his ability to achieve positive change. At a time when real conservative leadership was badly needed, he has merely promoted himself.
I hope that the Legislature and the media will watch this governor closely. On the issue of our port system, which is so vital to the economic future of South Carolina, we must not allow Mark Sanford’s hidden agenda to succeed. Therefore, I am thankful the Senate is considering an investigation of the governor’s involvement into the Port Royal sale.
Mr. Campbell is president of Carroll Campbell and Associates. He is a former board member of the State Ports Authority.
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/31123.html
Perhaps Sanford has not endorsed McCain because McCain has consistantly not supported Republican Principles?
Good work Covernor. Maybee some day, we will have another Republican President!
The state legislature will resume discussion of its pending immigration bill this week, with a local legislative crusader against illegal immigration overseeing its final stage.
Three members each of the state House of Representatives and Senate will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday to try to resolve differences in their different versions of the immigration bill. Both chambers agree on a variety of measures to crack down on illegal immigrants through law enforcement, but disagree over the methods private employers should use to check the citizenship of new employees.
After the committee hashes out those differences, the compromise bill will return to both chambers for a vote. If it passes, it will go to Gov. Mark Sanford for a signature.
Among the six legislators entrusted with creating a compromise bill is state Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach.
“Thad has been a leader in the immigration debate,” said House Speaker Bobby Harrell, who appointed Viers.
Many measures in the bill were introduced by Viers over the years, Harrell noted. Viers was also instrumental in helping form a Horry County chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, an anti-immigration group that fights for reform and recruits volunteers to patrol the border.
Meanwhile, the Minuteman group is protesting what it calls the “weakening” of the bill, with a rally planned for noon on March 10 on the Capitol steps, according to its Web site.
Mark Sanford on Illegal Immigration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHJohB8htGk
Buford Mabry Attorney for SCDNR Wants to Title Boats when they are Uncertain of Ownership
Bill would make boat titles easier
COLUMBIA | A House subcommittee Tuesday agreed to a bill aimed at modernizing the state’s archaic boat title laws and making them easier for individuals and dealers.
The same panel delayed action on a bill barring exports of wild-caught turtles from the state.
The boating bill has been under study for seven years, said Department of Natural Resources attorney Buford Mabry.
“This is long overdue,’’ he said.
Almost all boats in the state are required to have a title, just as a vehicle is. Canoes and kayaks are exempt, as are paddle boats with no motors.
Getting a title is not a problem when buying a new boat, but it often is when individuals sell one, or the dealer sells a used one before the title paperwork is complete, or if the old title can’t be found.
In the case of used boats sold by dealers or individuals, “We give temporary use permits so people can use a boat until they get the title,’’ something that has not been available, Mabry said.
Without the title, the new owner can’t use the boat.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/breaking_news/story/371725.html
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A bill aimed at easing the tangle of red tape needed to register a boat that has been inactive or is of uncertain ownership will be up for a hearing Tuesday by a subcommittee of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
State Rep. Billy Witherspoon, R-Conway, sponsored the bill. He said it has been in the works for five years to solve situations such as the inheritance of a boat. It’s hard to get new titles for them, he said.
The proposal requires people to publish a legal ad seeking comment on the boat, and if there is none, it can receive a new title, Witherspoon said.
He said a possible side effect could be cleanup of the state’s waterways littered with abandoned boats. No one wants them because it would be impossible to get the title, he said.
Under the proposal, a boat that still has life in it could be claimed by anyone who wants it.
The bill includes other provisions of boating law, but does not call for any fee increases, Witherspoon said.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/politics/story/369042.html
WARNING: Bill H.4736 Would Replace SCDNR Board with Cabinet Position
Please be aware that a bill is currently moving through the House Judiciary Ad Hoc Committee on Restructuring that would remove the DNR board and replace it with a Cabinet position. This would further politicize the group responsible for managing SCDNR South Carolina’s natural resources as well as remove any oversight from its constituents.
Please read the email below from Cary Chamblee about this as well as the response from the South Carolina Wildlife Federation:
From Cary Chamblee: A bill, H. 4736, by Representative Jim Harrison was introduced last week that will remove the DNR Board and replace it with a Secretary appointed by the Governor. This gives SCWF great concern because it would remove access to DNR from hunters, fishermen and sportsmen. Important decisions about our beloved sports and our out of doors would be made by one person, a political appointee. The SC Wildlife Federation made comments at the first hearing last week and these comments are summarized below.
Please help save our DNR Board and our outdoor heritage by contacting your friends in the legislature and calling, emailing the committee and coming to Columbia on Wednesday to speak up for our voice at DNR. You may also wish to inform the members of your organization of this proposal. This may be the last opportunity for public input in the House. Click on H.4736 above for a copy of the bill.
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The Committee will meet Wednesday March 4, 2008 one hour after adjournment of the House of Representatives in Room 516 of the Blatt Building. ( Approximately 1:30 PM) Below is the planned agenda for this meeting.
Comments on H.4736 Restructuring DNR — House Judiciary Ad Hoc Committee on Restructuring
We are very concerned about this bill and oppose putting the DNR in the Cabinet, and swapping the Board for a single politically appointed Secretary.
DNR was restructured in 1994 under a restructuring law that took months to craft, with the input from user groups and stakeholders from many backgrounds and diverse interests. The current system, providing for a Board appointed by the Governor, and an Executive Director chosen from among conservation professionals is working quite well and should be retained. This system already has great influence by the Governor, but retains a link to constituents and user groups.
Hunting, fishing and boating is a $1.8 Billion industry in SC. These sports are enjoyed by well over one million outdoor enthusiasts. This is big business which is important to the economy and to the lives, jobs and well being of a large portion of our population.
DNR is a highly complex agency requiring expertise in many fields and disciplines. It is responsible for the management and protection of thousands of species of animals and plants, hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat and outdoor recreation areas, boating access and safety, law enforcement, fishery management, wildlife management, marine science,water management, conservation best management practices, and much more. Each of these areas come with their own constituencies, histories, traditions, problems, funding sources and complexities. It takes a lifetime of work in these fields to become proficient and even highly educated and seasoned professionals learn constantly. This is no place for a political appointee.
One way that DNR maintains contact with its varied constituencies is through advisory boards, each of which is chaired by a DNR Board member. This provides for an excellent conduit for information to travel from the outdoors enthusiast to the Board and to the legislature.
We are also concerned about politicizing DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. Their officers are in place to enforce game and environmental laws and must be free to do so without fear of undue influence and reprisal.
Removing the DNR Board would diminish its stature in government. It should be a high profile, somewhat independent agency.
One criticism of the current structure that we would offer is that DNR Board Members can be removed from the Board without cause. We recommend that the law be amended to allow removal of Board members only for cause. They should be free to make decisions of policy without fear of removal.
Changing direction every four years with the change of governors would cause inconsistency in direction and inefficiency. We are also concerned that an appointee without an appropriate background or experience could foul-up great programs and progress that took years to attain.
In summary, the risks of change far outweigh any perceived benefits. We hope that you will carry this bill over and allow for further study and greater input from DNR’s constituents.
http://lowcountryhunting.com/2008/03/03/warning-bill-h4736-would-replace-scdnr-board-with-cabinet-position/
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A BILL…..H. 4736
TO AMEND SECTION 1-30-75, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF STATE GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE HEADED AND GOVERNED BY A DIRECTOR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE IN THE MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ABOVE PROVISION SHALL BECOME AN ADVISORY BODY; TO AMEND SECTIONS…. ALL RELATING IN PART TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, SO AS TO CONFORM THESE PROVISIONS TO THE ABOVE PROVISIONS PROVIDING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MUST BE HEADED AND GOVERNED BY A DIRECTOR APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE.
http://scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/query.exe?first=DOC&querytext=Environmental&category=Legislation&session=117&conid=2940225&result_pos=260&keyval=1174736