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SENATE PRES PRO TEM: GUV, MRS. GUV CAN DISH, CAN’T TAKE
Similar to my earlier outing of faux-journalist Wes Wolfe and his vitriolic efforts to regurgitate hate across the South Carolina blogosphere, State Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell today dropped the hatchet on his adversaries.
For McConnell, though, it was Gov. Mark Sanford and his first lady Jenny Sanford. And he so eloquently said something I’ve been trying to convey for a long time: the Sanfords are quick to criticize others, yet are easily “wounded” by any response.
It all started 10 days ago when McConnell wrote, “[the governor] is sitting over there in a taxpayer-paid mansion with staff and with paid chauffeurs and drawing a salary many, many times what they are getting” in response to Sanford’s suggestion that lawmakers turn down subsistence pay while returning to Columbia to make targeted budget cuts.
Mrs. Sanford, of course, just couldn’t control herself over this “outrage” and fired off a response the very next day.
After accusing the senator of “taking cheap shots” and telling him to “get the facts straight,” the lady Sanford rambled on for a few hundred about how she’s done a good job taking care of the governor’s mansion or something. I have to admit, I didn’t make it past the first few paragraphs because all the whining hurt my sensitive brain.
Today, however, McConnell fired back:
To advance his image as a budget-cutter, Gov. Mark Sanford recently called on the members of the S.C. General Assembly to forgo their per-day expense and their mileage reimbursement for the extended session now underway to deal with budget issues. This is to reimburse legislators for the costs of hotels, gas, and meals while they are in Columbia on official business.
I realize it’s easy to take shots at legislators, but I declined to join the governor in putting that kind of pressure on a group of public servants, many of whom are not wealthy. I pointed out that legislators make $10,400 a year in salary for their services and $1,000 a month for in-district expenses and, unlike the governor, do not live in a taxpayer-funded mansion with chauffeurs to drive them to work every day.
First Lady Jenny Sanford then wrote a letter to the editor (Oct. 18) accusing me of taking a “cheap shot” at her husband. She went on at great length with a long list of unfair and inaccurate allegations about me and others. It always amazes me that the Sanfords are so quick to criticize and attack the General Assembly and yet so easily wounded by even the mildest response.
I’m glad to see McConnell busting out the Daisy Cutter. For too long members of the state legislature have succumbed to Sanford’s insecurities and it’s high time for them to take a stand.
As I’ve said before, when lobbing grenades at rivals, don’t forget to pull the pin and be prepared for them to throw it back at you. Actually, I’ve never said that before, but I think I’ll start using it more often.
Pot. Kettle. Black. By the way — it may be time to buy bigger panties. Yours seem to be getting into a wad on a regular basis.
Funny you bring that up mr wolf. From what I hear your the one who likes to wear panties.
Gay jokes. Oh, my, how Vierdsen loves TPS. The most homophobic blog in the South.
Sanford and wife have looked out for themselves very well.
But an even bigger point that someone should jump on is how much time Mark Sanford spends away from Columbia. If someone would FOI his schedule, they would find out he is AWAY from Columbia much of the time.
While away he is often raising money for himself through his non-profits or his campaign, or just ‘trading favors”…SC state favors traded for promises of help later on.
He has millions in his non-profits, all made on the backs of the rights and privileges of being governor. While he was supposed to be working for us at $106,000 per year, he made in fact made over a million a year for entities he controls. And he will take this money, under his control, when he leaves office.
Someday, an enterprising blogger or journalist will break one hell of a story about this…and people all around this state will be shocked.
I wonder whom the principals in this story pay for their political consulting. I’m pretty sure Sanford doesn’t pay RQ&A.
Add in Sanford’s Beach Mansion.
Your post is right on. The Sanfords can dish it out, but take it not. Good for GM for taking them to task. I’m sure they are still whining about it in their taxpayer paid for mansion and the taxpayer paid staff is sick of hearing about it. JV, don’t forget to take your medication.
He won twice–by a lot. He can’t run again, but he’d win again if he did. You people still attack him. Who’s whining?
[...] exactly the reason that individuals like Gov. Mark Sanford and Sen. Jim DeMint are generally ineffective, even when they’re right about an issue. [...]