Poll hints that Sanford could find an opening with Southern Republicans

The State, Columbia, SC ^ | 2009-05-22 | Wayne Washington

[rabscuttle385]

Southern Republicans — the backbone of the GOP — are not sold on any of their party’s possible high-profile presidential candidates in 2012, a finding that could be good news for S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford.

Sanford rubbed shoulders at a Columbia health care forum Thursday with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who remains highly regarded by many in the Republican Party.

It was another moment in the spotlight for Sanford, who has generated buzz about his 2012 presidential prospects with his frequent television appearances and outspoken opposition to Democratic President Barack Obama’s federal stimulus plan.

Southerners overwhelmingly back Sanford’s opposition to the stimulus plan, according to a new poll of South Carolina and 10 other Southern states conducted for Winthrop University and ETV. Results of that poll were released Thursday.

For Republicans, any successful run for the White House starts in the South, a bedrock of conservatism where GOP candidates have fared well.

Gingrich, a potential candidate, said he thinks Sanford would be a formidable candidate.

“Among conservative Republicans, he has a real following around the country because of the toughness and the courage he’s shown on spending,” said the former Republican congressman from Georgia. “He certainly would be on anybody’s list of potential candidates, depending on what he wants to do.”

[rabscuttle385]

ping!

[counterpunch]

Sanford sort of lacks that essential component to popular election: charisma.

[spikeytx86]

If the economy is still in the crapper come 2012, Sanford will be able to make a strong case against Obama and would have a real shot at getting elected.

But if the economy recovers in enough time, Sanford will be toast. He will be seen as standing in the way of necessary recovery.

[campaignPete R-CT]

he may be the guy I go with, if he can put together the coalition to beat Romney in New Hampshire. But for now, the focus is on ‘10.

[Cheap_Hessian]

“But if the economy recovers in enough time”

Recover?? Are you serious?

[spikeytx86]

I think it's unrealistic to expect the economy to still be in a recession come 2012. That's 3 years from now. We have a pretty resilient economy. It took a terror attack on American Soil, two wars, expanding government, numerous and massive hurricanes, and record high gas prices and the Economy still kept chugging. It wasn't until the very fabric of our financial system began to unravel the markets near collapse for our economy to tumble into recession.

I think our economy could recover reasonably well enough that Obama could sell it as proof positive that his “stimulus” plan worked. Even anemic growth, say bringing unemployment under 7% by the summer of 2012 could give him enough steam going into November. Don't forget he will have the media pulling out all the stops for him as well. He only has to sell the illusion of recovery, which only requires anemic positive numbers to pull off.

[upchuck]

Gov. Mark Sanford Ping!

Want on or off this ping list? Just FReepmail me.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Gingrich, a potential candidate, said he thinks Sanford would be a formidable candidate.

Based on what I assume was a fund-raising call the other night, Gingrich is trying to make a go at it. Assume, because I shut it down before they asked, saying “Yes, I agree with all those statements from Newt, but he had his chance and blew it. Someone else needs to lead the charge.”

[Ben Ficklin]

Can he win Florida? If so, can he win Arizona and Colorado?