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LIKELY GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE SEES OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE PROFILE, BECOME GOVERNOR
With his strongest gubernatorial primary opponent gaining significant momentum after a media-saturated campaign rollout, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer Wednesday decided to play what he believed to be his ace-in-the-hole.
At a Statehouse news conference, Bauer publicly called on embattled Gov. Mark Sanford to resign and allow him to take over.
“It is in my opinion that the needs of the people of South Carolina cannot be served by the governor of South Carolina,” Bauer said.
Sanford’s office declined to comment on the latest development but said it will issue a statement later Wednesday.
Sanford has come under fire recently for allegedly misusing the state plane to make personal trips, abusing public funds to upgrade to first class flights, and failing to properly disclose who paid for dozens of private flights.
Bauer said that he had been planning a gubernatorial campaign announcement, but would hold off to allow Sanford time to consider the deal he offered only days after news of the governor’s infidelity with an Argentine lover made international headlines: If Sanford resigned in the next month, Bauer would not run for governor in 2010.
After that month, though, the deal is off, Bauer said. There was no mention of whether his offer would stand if Sanford was removed from office.
Bauer also said he was “not interested in any other political seats,” ruling out a rumored Congressional campaign should Sanford accept the deal.
But Bauer has made similar deals in the past and not carried through with his end. In 2006, Bauer told the Greenville News that he would not run for governor if voters elected him to a second term as lieutenant governor.
This time, though, Bauer said he means to keep his word.
“I myself will lead by putting the best interests of the people of South Carolina ahead of my own personal and political interests,” he said.
But critics charge the lieutenant governor is doing just the opposite — using an unfortunate situation to gain national attention and position himself to become the state’s top executive.
It is no coincidence that Bauer’s media ploy came on the heels of Attorney General Henry McMaster’s formal announcement that he is running for governor, something even opponents admitted was a well-orchestrated unveiling that achieved maximum success.
Bauer also took a thinly-veiled shot at McMaster, saying some have allowed the 2010 aspirations to “cloud” their decision to not call for Sanford’s resignation.
McMaster has called for a formal investigation into the governor’s conduct in office, but as the person who may have to prosecute Sanford if the State Ethics Commission brings charges against him, any public statement by the attorney general could taint the jury pool and create a mistrial.
The lieutenant governor, however, appears to many to be basing his decision to call for Sanford’s resignation not only principle, but politics.
Photo: The State
Andre Bauer used to live in my neighborhood. His office staff moved him in and moved him out…with most of the work being done in daylight, workday hours. One guy would often drive for food and make trips to Wall-mart in the State’s black sedan .
It did not seem to me that is was a wise use of the states money to move him around Columbia. I suspected it was illegal.
[...] I had an email from Lt. Governor Andre Bauer (so did half the universe) promoting his noon press conference. At that time he suggested that Sanford resign. He also said he will not run for governor if Sanford were to resign. [...]
I think the Bauer press conference may have been the most self-serving political action I have ever seen. Had I not been there I would not have believed it.
It was insidious on so many levels. I did not think even Bauer could sink so low. And so transparent.
After watching it again on video I think I need a shower.
[...] not going to run for election as Governor IF incumbent Governor Mark Sanford resigns w/in the next month. If nothing happens w/in the month – the deal is [...]
The Governor seems back on his game, finally.
Bauer better stop picking out the drapes and get his butt in gear…and look over his shoulder a bit!
Will the SC Gop investigate Bauer’s use of the state plane, and his private flights? Or just Sanford.
To do one and not the other is inexcusable…and the people of this state will wonder why the GOP leadership was not smart enough to go after ALL fraud waste and abuse…not just some of it.
What is wrong for one man to do is wrong for another man. This is America, after all.
[...] 08/26/2009: Bauer calls on Sanford to resign, will not run if he does [...]
Hey Mr. Gov
Why not run for President of the United States? LOL!
I think that any of our fine, Columbia area Boy Scouts could do a better job than this BOZO BAUER.
He is wacked out and intoxicated with his own sense of self importance.
He is being used as a pawn by those queueing up to run for Governor of SC, and the poor soul does not even see it (or worse does not care).
Please.. let him run.. and see himself self destruct…
[...] Gov. Andre Bauer called on Sanford to resign last week, but the governor declined at a press conference [...]