Posted on 03/23/2009 12:00:50 PM PDT by VinL
In the ongoing debate over the economic stimulus package, South Carolina Republican Gov. Mark Sanford has made all the right enemies. The White House has brushed aside Sanfords threat to turn down $700 million allotted for his state. Republicans in Sanfords own state have hinted that theyll override any attempt to veto the cash. Moderate California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has gently mocked Sanfords position. Ill take it, Schwarzenegger told George Stephanopolous last month. Im more than happy to take his money or any other governor in this country that doesnt want to take this money.
Sanfords public battle with the White House has won him support with a more important group of people: the Republicans who will pick their next standard-bearer in 2012. According to some big-money Republican donors, party strategists who worked on the 2008 campaign and activists who powered the quixotic presidential bid of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), Sanford is emerging as the leader for the next Republican nomination.
His profile has grown dramatically over the last month, said Floyd Brown, a Republican strategist who lives in Washington state best-known for creating the 1988 Willie Horton ads against Michael Dukakis. Amongst the activists who really matter, in Iowa, in New Hampshire, in the South, there is a lot of positive talk about him. A lot of people asking, What do you know about this guy?
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonindependent.com ...
Thanks for that info, SoCal.
No global socialist fantasies.
***************
I find it difficult to imagine that a candidate who articulates such an ideologically coherent conservative message would support globalism, socialism or expenditures on any nanny state federal government program. But, certainly, if he does, then it wouldn’t be a message I would not support.
But right now, from what I’ve read, he has a good message. He might not be the best “messenger”- we’ll see.
A lot of us may prefer someone who they can relate to as ordinary Americans, and who tells it like it is. People who are sophisticated try to "Sugar Coat" their speech and make nice when they should be ripping the opposition's face off.
Bush tried the nice guy routine, and you see what it got him!
Sanford has a weakness: South Carolina. It’ll give everyone else a totally free pass for not coming in first there. Sanford, on the other hand, will have very high expectations in the state.
“Mark Sanford Also believes as does the far left that we sholdnt have fought in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
Is that honest to goodness true? At this point I would respect an argument over Iraq, but not Afghanistan.
He is part of the L Ron Paul bunch.
As to Iraq and Afgh.
They are one in the same war, the same reason when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor we fought battles in North Africa
all the same war.
It is difficult for many people to get it as many see the world looking through a straw.
White, Republican governor in the South. Must be a racist. /mainstreammedia
Sure, I see. But some would argue the GWoT should’ve never been expanded to Iraq.
ping
Is that your stance on it?
Amazing << Hear this. Feel this, and tell me that this isn't music.
Oh, dear...
I am too.
I would love to see a Sanford/Palin ticket, however I highly doubt that Palin would accept the no. 2 spot again. IF she runs (that’s a big if), she will gun for the top spot.
forgot to ping you in post 33
Ron Paul Ping!
“Im with you. My intuition is telling me that people are pushing Sanford because they find Palin not sophisticated enough or too strong on the social issues.”
Having an unwed daughter pregnant is ‘too strong on social issues’?!?
My intuition is telling me that smart conservative people have realized that Palin has entered the Quayle-Newt zone of unelectability due to the number done on her by the media and are thinking ahead.
Alternatives like Sanford make sense BECAUSE HE IS ACTUALLY A MORE RELIABLE CONSERVATIVE than any of the alternatives bandied about, including Palin.
“Shes not that strong on the social issues, I like her, but Sanford is more conservative.”
Correct. But oddly, some people interpret the media scorn of her as a ‘proof’ of her conservativeness. Frankly, Palin is not that conservative if you look at her record.
Judging by recent threads, Sanford is sure ruffling a few feathers around here. Not always a bad thing :)
Sanford is the only choice for 2012.
I definitely need to pay more attention to this guy in the future.
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