Posted on 01/10/2005 8:14:18 AM PST by RockinRight
(PRWEB) December 22, 2004 -- Why support a Sanford ticket? Under President George W. Bush, aided by a Republican Congress, we've seen the size of government expand -- dramatically. Discretionary spending has soared; education has become federalized under the No Child Left Behind Act; and the American welfare state has received it's biggest booster shot since the days of Lyndon B. Johnson, in the form of the Medicare prescription drug coverage entitlement.
This is all despite the fact that Bush campaigned on a platform of smaller government and lower taxes. While he followed through with lowering taxes, the skyrocketing size and cost of government has made deficits even worse. While some government expansion is natural in the face of the War on Terror, much of this growth occurred before 9/11.
Why? A Los Angeles Times Poll found that almost 60% of Americans would rather have a smaller government that provides fewer services, as opposed to 26% that want larger government providing more services. If Bush genuinely believed in smaller government, it would be no problem to rally public support around him. And yet, today, we have seen an expansion of government powers that would make even Democrats like Bill Clinton gush with pride.
And John Kerry is no better. Besides announcing he would repeal Bush's tax cuts, he also promised a vast and costly new health care plan -- one that dwarves even the cost of Bush's pork-laden Medicare plan. Toss in even more federalization of education, stricter gun control, and abortion on demand, and the mix is a government that makes Bush's administration look like that of a frothing-at-the-mouth anarchist.
Today, we have record high deficits and extravagant federal spending. It took centuries for government spending to reach $1 billion. It took an extra few decades for it to reach $2 billion. Bush will propel government spending to $3 billion in only a few extra years. Government is growing exponentially, and unless we elect strong leaders to undo this damage, we can expect only economic ruin in the future.
Governor Sanford is that leader. He has stood up not only to pork-barrel, spendthrift Democrats, but to his own Republican majority in the South Carolina state legislatures. He vetoed 106 parts of his own party's suggested budgets, saying that it simply cost too much and criticizing his fellow Republicans for reckless spending. On the other hand, Bush has yet to say "no" even once -- he has never used his veto power at all.
If Sanford can face down the comparatively small budget of his own state, imagine how much change he can bring to the morbidly obese federal budget. A massive, across-the-board cut in taxes paired with an immense budget reduction would invigorate the suffering American economy, but we can only see such a plan put into action if we elect those with the spine to follow through on it.
Governor Sanford has proven that he has the grit to face down the wasteful partisans in his own party. He has taken serious measures, including rare budget line-item vetoes, to ensure that taxes stay low and government growth stays contained. He has held true to conservative principles, supporting reasonable abortion limitations, gun rights, and family values. And through it all, he has been met with skyrocketing approval ratings as high as 70%, proving that he knows what to do and how to make people feel good about it.
Men with this much conviction are rare -- and we need to give them all the support we can. I'm ready to see President Sanford in the White House, shrinking the budget, cutting taxes, and respecting our Constitutional rights; are you?
What is worrying me is that there are no Reagan Republicans on the horizon. Also, it looks as though 2008 will be the first time the Republican field will not include a single military veteran of any type.
Well, so far the 2008 is still pretty narrow. We've got two RINOs (Giuliani, Pataki), two crazies (McCain, Gingrich), and the unknowns.
At this point I wouldn't be surprised if Tommy Franks ran for President. Everyone else is.
Is Sanford officially a Gen-Xer? He was born in 1960, I think the cutoff was 1964, wasn't it?
I like Pawlenty, as well. He could make a good Pres and probably get us at least an extra 10 EV's with Minnesota.
Sanford has military experience. And I think he qualifies as a Reagan Republican.
Sanford's biggest challenge would be to explain some of his votes on issues, like when he voted against the creation of a South Carolina Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission.
The answer is simple-they already do what that commission was to do, and Mark doesn't like adding more bureacracy. But he has to come up with the best way to convey this message.
He can do it.
Iowan for Sanford!!!
The Darkhorse 2008 Candidate: ID Gov and former Senator Dirk Kempthorne.
I like Pawlenty too.
Oh man, I'm not sure if a South Carolina Republican is the guy for the job - but then I don't know for sure. What about Bill Frist?
Frist is spineless. He's also about as appealing as a 1983 Ford Escort.
Clinton was from Arkansas. If a dope-smoking moron from Hope, AR can win, Sanford can.
Does Sanford have charisma??
He supported McCain so he's a snake? Back in 2000 many of us didn't yet know what a media whore McPain was. Jeb ain't runnin, he's said so.
Jeb is not going to run. That seems pretty certain. He's made it clear. Best you can hope for is that he might run for the Senate against Nelson in 2006, but even that seems like a longshot. He says he wants to take a break from politics.
"Sanford has military experience."
Really? I didn't know that.
"And I think he qualifies as a Reagan Republican."
With the exception of age he is Reagan.
I definitely want to be on the Sanford Ping List.
Sanford's service not a stunt
Date: 3/17/2002
Author: By Gerald E. Harmon, MD, published in The State newspaper
My friend and your good reporter, Aaron Sheinin, recently had an article in The State describing former Congressman Mark Sanford joining the Air Force Reserve. As a comment, the state Democratic leader, Dick Harpootlian, chose to denigrate this as a political stunt.
In 1999, then-Congressman Sanford enlisted my advice and support while attempting to volunteer for the Air National Guard or the Air Force, since I am a career member of the Air National Guard. I outlined the limited options available to him due to his age of 38 years. This clearly was well before the current gubernatorial race, and just as clearly renders the gratuitous comment of Mr. Harpootlian as unfounded.
Mark Sanford chose years ago to volunteer military service to the United States. He chose not to usurp his position as a congressman and get an age waiver from the secretary of the Air Force. He truly respects the Armed Forces, and particularly the U.S. Air Force as exemplary leadership organizations. Most importantly, he chose to make this move on behalf of his family and his nation and not for political convenience. I am proud to call him a friend and a professional colleague and, most importantly, a patriot.
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