Sanford says he absolutely will not run for President

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.

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."

I did a search for Mike Pence's and George Allen's bio and here is what I came up with

First Mike Pence

Background Information

Party: Republican
Residence: Columbus
Marital Status: Married (Karen)
Prev. Occupation: Radio Talk Show Host
Prev. Political Exp.: no prior elected office
Education: BA Hanover College, 1981; JD Indiana University, 1986
Birthdate: 06/07/1959
Birthplace: Columbus, IN Religion: Christian

Other Information

Term: 1st
First Elected: 2000
Percentage in Last Election: 67%
Major Opponent: Melina Fox
Committees:
• Agriculture
• International Relations
• Judiciary

Now George Allen's bio

Background Information

Party: Republican
Residence: Mt. Vernon
Marital Status: Married (Susan)
Prev. Occupation: Attorney
Prev. Political Exp.: VA Assembly, 1983-91; US House, 1991-93; VA Governor, 1994-98
Education: BA University of Virginia, 1974; JD University of Virginia, 1977
Birthdate: 03/08/1952
Birthplace: Whittier, CA
Religion: Presbyterian

Other Information

Term: 1st
First Elected: 2000
Percentage in Last Election: 52%
Major Opponent: Chuck Robb
Committees:
• Commerce, Science and Transportation
• Energy and Natural Resources
• Foreign Relations
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Personally I would say Mike Pence needs a little more exprience in public office before running for the highest office of the country

24. TAX CUTS. HR4579 (roll call vote 469). Passage of the bill to cut taxes by $80 billion over five years, by extending expired provisions such as the research tax credit, reducing taxes for farmers and married couples, and making health insurance premiums 100 percent deductible for the self-employed. Passed 229-195, September 26, 1998. ACU supported the legislation.

75 Fiscal 2001 Budget Resolution - Adoption H.Con.Res. 290 (Roll Call Vote No. 75).
2000-03-23
The House adopted a resolution setting spending and revenue targets for the next five years including $150 billion in tax cuts.
ACU supported this bill.
This bill was: opposed
The vote was: 211-207

This Representative voted: In Opposition of ACU

Social Security Tax Repeal - Passage HR4865 (Roll Call Vote No. 450).
2000-07-27
The House passed a bill reducing the percentage of Social Security benefits that are taxable from 85 percent to 50 percent which was the level up until 1993.
ACU supported this bill.

This bill was: opposed
The vote was: 265-159

This Representative voted: In Opposition of ACU

http://www.conservative.org/new_ratings/1995/ratehs.html

http://www.conservative.org/new_ratings/1996/housintr.html

http://www.conservative.org/new_ratings/1997/house.htm

http://www.conservative.org/new_ratings/1998/house.htm

http://www.conservative.org/new_ratings/1999/ratings1999.htm

http://acuratings.com/acu.cgi?ACT=1&USER_ID=367&YEAR=2000

Sanford is a good conservative,but Pence is to the right of him fiscally.

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