Posted on 12/13/2005 1:49:30 PM PST by BransonRevival
Governor says he’ll serve 4 years if re-elected
Gov. Mark Sanford “absolutely” will not run for president in 2008.
In a wide-ranging interview with The State newspaper in his State House office last week, Sanford said he would not be a candidate for president in the 2008 Republican primary.
Sanford will seek re-election as governor in 2006.
“Should I get re-elected,” Sanford said, “I absolutely am serving all four years, because we just have some huge issues here in South Carolina that are just an immense challenge.”
Sanford has said in the past that he was not planning to run for the White House, but he always had left the door cracked for a possible bid. His name has been mentioned by political observers handicapping the early, early race for the GOP nomination.
That will not happen, Sanford said, and he plans to be South Carolina’s governor until 2011, should he be sworn in again in January 2007.
“Barring stroke, illness, unforeseen personal circumstance that incapacitates me, yeah, I’m here for the duration,” Sanford said. “So, yeah, like it or not, people have to put up with me for another four years, should I cross that bridge.”
Sanford has amassed a $3.7 million campaign war chest to help with the re-election effort.
Recent polls have shown that state voters are still supportive of Sanford, but not at the same levels of a year or so ago.
He is expected to face Prosperity physician Oscar Lovelace in the GOP primary and one of two Democrats — Sen. Tommy Moore of Clearwater or Florence Mayor Frank Willis — in the general election.
In the interview with The State, Sanford also touched on his goals for the 2006 legislative session, the status of his sometimes tumultuous relationship with the General Assembly, and why voters should return him for a second term.
He said his priorities for the legislative session include:
• Changing the state’s workers’ compensation insurance system
• Tax reform
• Making it easier to start charter schools
On job creation and the state’s 6.9 percent unemployment rate — third highest in the nation — Sanford said his administration has worked to “better the soil conditions” for economic growth in South Carolina.
He has done that, he said, by focusing on small businesses, reorganizing the Department of Commerce and advocating for changes in how lawsuits affect business.
But Sanford also criticized his detractors in the Legislature who criticize him for the state’s high unemployment rate, but then block his initiatives aimed at improving the economy.
“There’s a certain irony in that,” Sanford said.
I'll go ahead and rule out my bid for 2008 as well.
I am still on the fence for 2012.
Sanford is\was good,but Pence is great.Mike Pence is the guy who will get it done in 08.
Agreed. Let Sanford work on South Carolina, and leave Mike Pence for us.
The junk business is just too good these days to go into another line of work.
I thought Fred Sanford had died...or at least the actor who played him.
Reading only the headline is fun. I think I'll always do that from now on...
FYI re the best fiscal conservative in the nation, imo.
"it's the big run , Elizabeth!!!"
Redd Foxx's real name was Fred Sanford, or so I been told.
I do admire Sanford's no-nonsense commitment to small government and actually making an effort to cut waste.
I do have to say the pigs in the Statehouse stunt was hilarious!
John Sanford to be correct.
You two are the same person. Listen, I support Mike Pence as much as the next guy, but let the grassroots generate itself, not try to fake the grassroots.
Sorry to hear Sanford will not be running, although he's said this before, this I guess is just another denial.
Governor Sanford, you can still run for higher office. Run for the Senate and throw that light-in-the-loafers Tinkerbelle Gang-of-Fourteen Flimsy Graham out O-W-T!!
I agree. When it comes to fiscal conservatism, it doesn't get better than Mark Sanford. A shame he's ruled out POTUS for 2008. I think he'd be a good one.
He's young yet. Assuming he gets a second term in South Carolina (a moderately safe bet), he'll leave office in January 2011 well-positioned to run in 2012 should he want to do so.
}:-)4
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.
