Posted on 04/12/2005 7:39:29 AM PDT by KyleM
COLUMBIA — Being nice, the speaker of the S.C. House initially made reference to the more generic term "farm animals."
But in the end, the host gave up altogether, abandoning any attempt to avoid use of that four-letter "p" word ("pigs"), as he and the governor got in a little good-natured needling during Tuesday's legislative press conference.
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford raised eyebrows and a bit of a stink last year when he showed up at the South Carolina Statehouse carrying two rather lively piglets in his arms as a protest of the state's $5.5 million "pork barrel" spending plan.
Although legislative issues were the focus of the Tuesday press session, the bantering came about as reporters tried to pin down the two Republican leaders about future political plans.
House Speaker David Wilkins was first asked if there might be an ambassadorship in his near future. Speculation, fueled by the planned visit of President George Bush — now canceled because of the funeral of the pope — has it that the speaker is the top choice to become ambassador to Canada.
"Every time things go well. ... This is the most successful session I've seen, I know, in my 11 years as speaker ... either the governor shows up with pigs or rumors start," Wilkins said. "It's just speculation."
Sanford, one of several governors mentioned as a potential national candidate in 2008, was asked if there might be a presidential campaign in his future.
"Absolutely not," he quickly replied. "I'm trying to survive the week."
Well, then came the next question, could the governor at least announce whether he'll seek re-election to a second term in 2006?
"We will officially make that announcement," Sanford conceded. "But the handwriting is on the wall."
All attention should be focused on George Allen now.
I wish him well.Mike Pence in 2008!
No.Allen is a big spending "conservative" We need and must have Mike Pence.
Why? It's early 2005. Dubya was a political nobody until Nov '98.
Agree on Pence!
Ping!
Dubya was never a political nobody.
Right now Allen is my choice (He was a gov)..
You can't fake heart attacks as President...
... only the Vice President can do that.
Can we get Pence to run?
No disrespect intended, but speaking from a purely practical standpoint, do you think it's wise to pin all of our hopes on a three-term congressman who was a local talk-radio host before that? It's not exactly a Presidential resume. Mind you, I'm not calling into question his views. I'm just concerned that Pence would be portrayed as a political light-weight without much experience.
To be fair, Mike Pence was not only a talk radio host -- he was also a lawyer. You know how people love lawyers!
In the context of a Presidential campaign, oh yes he was.
It worked for Dubya.
You should Private mail Gipper08
True, but at least Dubya could claim executive experience of one of the largest states, and he also had a rather famous last name that he could parlay into tremendous fund-raising prowess. Pence has neither.
Oh no he wasn't. The presidential son, governor of the second largest state in the country? A political nobody? C'mon ....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.