Posted on 07/01/2009 6:07:13 AM PDT by Hawk720
Bauer, 40, has made a career of running against South Carolina's establishment -- and winning. Elected to the state legislature at age 26, he became known as an ambitious politician, rising quickly and winning the state's No. 2 position in 2002.
Yet as lieutenant governor, he has become known as much for his personal behavior as for his political record. In 2003, he was charged with driving 60 mph and running two red lights in downtown Columbia. When pulled over, Bauer was so aggressive that a police officer pulled a gun on him.
In 2006, Bauer was stopped by a state trooper who clocked him driving 101 mph on an interstate highway. He used his state-issued radio to tell the officer he was "S.C. 2" -- the code for lieutenant governor -- and was not ticketed. Then, weeks later, Bauer was injured when the single-engine airplane he was piloting crashed and burned.
"He had all of that in his first term and yet managed to get reelected, so that tells you something about what a skilled politician he is," said Carol Fowler, chairwoman of the South Carolina Democratic Party.
Indeed, Bauer defeated older and more established candidates by appealing to grass-roots voters. "The old joke was that he appeals to little old ladies in the Republican Party," Gooth said, adding that his image is that of "a devil-may-care bachelor."
Over the years, Bauer's romantic life has stirred rumors, the latest bubbling up in recent days. In an interview Monday with the State, a Columbia newspaper, Bauer voluntarily brought up the subject of his sexual orientation. "Is André Bauer gay? That is now the story," the lieutenant governor was quoted as saying, adding his answer: "One word, two letters. 'No.' Let's go ahead and dispel that now."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Jack Bauer?
He’s not gay,but just acts that way-Oh,Yea
How do you feel about the liberal gay men who raped a 5 year old black child - and tried to sell him? Duke University and all. Sanford was separated from his wife at the time
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What?? What does one sick, depraved individual have to do with Sanford and Bauer?
Sanford was separated from his wife during this last trip, but not all the previous times he’s seen his ‘soul mate’.
Yes, I have a sinking feeling about this guy. I already dislike
Lindsey Graham.
Did I miss the WaPost stories on Tim Geitner’s “baggage”, Or Richardson’s? or Chris Dodd’s? Obama’s........................................
Aside from being easy on the eyes who is Nikki Haley?
Nikki Haley Statement on Governor Sanford’s Press Conference:
“While Governor Sanford and I have long shared a political philosophy, today’s revelations go well beyond politics. This is a tragic situation for the Sanford family and for our state. My prayers are with the Sanfords, and in particular with Jenny and the boys, and I will do anything I can to help them through this ordeal.
“My work in the General Assembly and in my campaign for governor has always been centered on bringing trust and accountability back to government. One component of that is treating taxpayer dollars responsibly and changing the structure of state government so it is accountable to taxpayers. Governor Sanford has been a champion of those principles, and I admire his efforts in those areas. However, another component is behaving in a manner that allows people to trust in their public officials and feel good about their government. Obviously, the Governor has fallen far short in that regard and that is extremely unfortunate.
“I will continue to bring my message of trust and accountability to the people of our state over the weeks and months ahead. More importantly, I hope to be able to help heal the wounds that have been created in South Carolina by today’s news.”
I hope she is as good as she sounds. I am so, so tired of Republican hypocrites.
I’m about to get ill.
Speeding tickets are bad.
Yet people like Al Franken are ideal.
Help me, I’m losing my mind!
Well, getting so aggressive that an officer on a traffic stop needs to pull out his weapon is a bit odd. That being said, there's certainly a double standard. Hopefully, Franken will quickly wear out his welcome in Washington.
While I'm sure you're right about the lady in question, not very long ago people were saying the same thing about Sanford.
Unfortunately, she may look attractive, but she has two problems. One, namely she doesn’t have the experience to jump from a backbencher State Rep. all the way to Governor (unlike Palin, who was a Mayor), and secondly, she was an early and extremely enthusiastic supporter of the Socialist Slick Willard of MA for President. The latter alone is enough of a personal disqualifier. So far, I think AG Henry McMaster appears the most qualified and Conservative.
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