Sanford fumbles on CNN
Mary Ann Chastain/AP
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford
COLUMBIA — Maybe he was tired or tongue-tied. Maybe he's not ready to play in the big leagues. Maybe he just isn't a sound bite kind of guy.
Some classified Gov. Mark Sanford's appearance Sunday on CNN as a minor flap, a little dust-up, a brain fade. Call it what you'd like, but bloggers and political junkies were abuzz Monday with what the governor had to say on "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer" when asked to highlight the difference between Sen. John McCain and President Bush on economic policy.
Saving money is a matter closer to Sanford's heart than perhaps baling hay on the family farm in Beaufort or running a 5K with wife Jenny and their boys.
But maybe he was all talked out Sunday when he fumbled a response to Blitzer's opening question: "Um, yeah. I mean for instance, take, you know, um, uh, take for instance the issue of, uh, of, um (drums fingers), I'm drawing a blank, and, I hate it when I do that, particularly on television."
Now, don't take it out of context. The guy's pretty sharp. Though he is known for meandering answers, and regularly flubs the Serenity Prayer (God grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change ...).
But no one around here is comparing Sanford to another notorious tongue-tied South Carolinian, former Miss Teen USA contestant Caitlin Upton (I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and, uh, I believe that our education, like, such as, uh, South Africa, and, uh, the Iraq, everywhere like, such as ...).
Wait. Political blogger Will Folks of FITSNews did go there.
"Yikes-a-roni," he wrote.
University of South Carolina political scientist Blease Graham said he certainly wouldn't draw the same comparison, but he did say the question was something a well-prepared political leader should be ready to answer.
"It raises questions about being ready to play in the Big Leagues," Graham said. The 24-hour news cycle makes for high-stakes politics, he said.
"Maybe he was caught off-guard or tired," Graham offered.
The well-regarded political observer has had his share of national Q&As, but Graham said the difference is that he had the grace of a video editor. Sanford was live with Blitzer.
"Gov. Sanford didn't have the luxury; it was real time, real quick," Graham said.
Rod Shealy, a well-known political consultant who has directed several campaigns against Sanford and his allies, said the interview probably took off some of the governor's sheen on the national scene.
"To me, it was like a deer-in-the-headlights moment," Shealy said. "It's like he memorized the answers to the big test and they changed the questions."
Former state Rep. John Graham Altman of West Ashley — whose quick wit and controversial stances have landed him in the hot seat many a time — cut the governor some slack.
"Mark just had a brain fade," Altman said. "He is usually very articulate. He's very informed. He may be wrong, but he is very informed. As I watched the replay on it, it was clear to me he was having a bad morning. People read so much into it."
Sanford's camp said it's much ado about not much.
"Out in the blogosphere, it seems like a whole lot of overreaction over nothing," Sanford press secretary Joel Sawyer said. Sound bites have never been the governor's strong suit, but Sanford does recognize that he didn't give the most concise answer in the world, Sawyer said.
The governor recovered on camera with a punchy quip to the question he gets over and over again: Is he on McCain's short list for vice president?
"Generous and kind, but again, I am just trying to survive the week. I made it to Sunday, kind of excited about it."
Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
watchdog (anonymous) says...
I feel bad for the Gov, but he doesn't know his national issues, or politics. I think his public career is over. SC, we did it again.....
July 15, 2008 at 5:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
This "dr_fed" nimrod sounds like he is doing a pretty good job of mucking up his life / country! Wow, angry liberal must be a "move on" type of idiot?!
He wouldn't have been a good VP pick anyway. John McCain is a tax and spend republican that voted AGAINST the Bush tax cuts and Gov Mark, bumbling aside, isn't. Plus McCain will win SC handidly so move on to an on the fence state!
July 15, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
Hey give him a break. If he doesn't know much about the national issues maybe it is because he is more concerned with our fair state of South Carolina. When Sanford first came on board I didn't care too much for him. But seeing what he has done I really appreciate him. When most states were at a big deficit we here in South Carolina weren't in that boat. My mom's family is from Wisconsin. My cousin had a state job and was laid off. He is now driving a taxi.
I have a state job and I am still working. I still don't like the school vouchers and I don't like the way the school system is going and I never will. Going off topic here...why give vouchers to kids to go to a private school when you can use that money to help out our public school system?
July 15, 2008 at 6:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
Dr Fed where are you from? Certainly not from SC. If you were you would know that Gov. Sanford has done our state a world of good. Please read the above post from me. Too bad he can't run again. :( Who knows who we will get in there after him and what they will do for the state. He has cut our spending, which equals to more money for the state. Can he groom someone else so that they can take over for him?
July 15, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
What I was pointing out was that while other states were going under the state of SC was not. I didn't say anything about being last, in the middle or first on anything. As far as education we have always been towards the bottom and I would like to see it go higher. If they put more money into the public school system it might help.
As far as him answering the question yes he should have been more prepared than he was but like they said on the radio this morning, he was out of his element.
July 15, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tigerrecord (anonymous) says...
Seems to be a simple mistake.
We're more than lucky to have Sanford as our Governor.
Johnq2. Uhh what exactly is it we are last in? Everything? That's real clear and concise and it seems as though while you may think you have a grasp on reality it's quite clear that you have no idea.
In fact, we rank 11th in Home Ownership, 20th in GDP, Three of our state schools are routinely ranked in the top 50 in the nation, and with no help from most of his fellow politicians has worked diligently to reduce our spending deficit.
Seems to me like you really have no idea, and if you did you would look past your own wallet, and today, to the greater good of our state in the future.
July 15, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lucy_fan (anonymous) says...
tiger- just scroll past JohnQ. Reading his comments are just a waste of time.
July 15, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nativecharlestongirl (anonymous) says...
Palmettotree Gov. Sanford has cut spending and being a state employee you should KNOW that. I work for a state agency that suffers everyday because of his "cuts". I can't wait to have him and his "it's not what you know but WHO you know" attitude out of office for GOOD!
July 15, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
It has nothing to do with knowledge of the issues. It can and does happen to almost everybody at one time or another.
My politics and the governor's may be different, but he is an honest man of integrity. This is far better than pretending that you are someone else. At this point, most of us know who you are and who you are not.
That's the thing with politicians. They think they have to be "perfect" when we all know intellectually that this is impossible. It was just one of those moments.
July 15, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Name_Withheld (anonymous) says...
http://www.salon.com/ent/video_dog/co...
July 15, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Um...uh...well, I ...
So, he stumbled. It happens to everyone. I like Sanford and I think he would do well in politics at the national level. I would feel reassured if he was a "higher up" from my neck of the wooods, possibly looking out for me.
July 15, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lucy_fan (anonymous) says...
LoL at tripsa. That was priceless!!
July 15, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Picky (anonymous) says...
Why is this editorial in the "news" section?
July 15, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
I think our fine governor should have simply said things that he himself would do as President and say that is what McCain would do. Those truly conservative/libertarian policy statements would have been been a big boost for McCain even if they may have been lies. I can hear our governor, "Unlike Bush, McCain would slash foreign aid, cut federal bureaucracy, diminish the scope of the IRS, the Department of Education and HUD, and eliminate abuses in the Medicaid system." If he had said some lies like that McCain would have been a shoo-in. We still love you Governor Sanford.
July 15, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ron_Godzilla (anonymous) says...
Rather have him being gov rather than that little pee-on Andre Bauer.
July 15, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ginj (anonymous) says...
Who here has never stumbled when asked a question? Personally, I would rather know more about the differences between McCain and Obama's economic policies. It's good to know our governor is only human. To bad he hasn't had the backing of our state legislature to prove how good a governor he really is.
July 15, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bkeelin (anonymous) says...
When Sanford leaves office I hope enough people can convince him to run for Grahamnesty's seat in the US Senate. We need to replace this liberal leaning camera finder with a true conservative on all issues.
July 15, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Truth2008 (anonymous) says...
Govener Sanford has'nt done anything he said he would do the whole time he's been in office.I am so sick off these lies people tell to get in office,but whats worst is that stupid people keep falling for the same lies.
July 15, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Peacock (anonymous) says...
Maybe Guv was overzealous for a ticket out of here. This could have happened to anyone in that state of mind and it is disheartening to watch.
July 15, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wishinew (anonymous) says...
As the article implies, you don't get to be where Sanford is if your an idiot. That said, if he were serious about being VP, he should have already been in McCain's head and known everthing the man is about. The fate of the country and possibly humankind is potentially in the VP's hands. You can't just wing it with tip of the tongue opinions. Sanford needs to step up or step out.
July 15, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Peacock (anonymous) says...
All this could work out for the best -- maybe even backfire on the Guv's rabid detractors (you know who you are)...
...like the Mormophobe/Nazi/Texas Child Persecution Services (CPS) did for Romney and [law-abiding] Mormons everywhere.
July 15, 2008 at 9 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SeaSaw (anonymous) says...
I'm always more afraid of someone who knows everything, than I am of someone that is smart enough to just simply say... I don't know.
July 15, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
All of you that want him back eh... SC has term limits for the Govenor. He is twice and done after his current term runs out then I guess it's speedy Andre Bauers to loose! OR God forbid McConnell or Harrell run!
July 15, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TimboR (anonymous) says...
Our governor! Whos is responsible? That was not him on CNN. I suspect a Democrat arranged Bubba mind-takeover.
Expensive tailored busines suit, fancy silk tie, starched white shirt, cufflinks, executive haircut - but a Democrat must succeeded in having a not-so-smart bubba ruthlessly enter in and take over the Governor's mind, wiping out his MBA from Darden and his prep school background and his white collar identity and his gentlemanly, upper class manner - just in time for the Blitzer examination....
He is fighting the invasion, but he is not successful. His eyes glaze over. He mumbles and stutters. I suspect that he felt an unexplained but irresistable compulsion to take off his $600 Italian wingtips and designer socks while he was floundering on CNN.
"No need for those fancy shoes, boy!" The voice of the invading Bubba must be obeyed!
Find the Democrat who did it!
July 16, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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