As Sanford twists, Senators ask, 'what if'
Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn F. McConnell (R - S.C.)
If Gov. Mark Sanford were to resign, it would affect the official many feel is actually the most powerful in state government: Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell.
If Sanford steps down and is replaced by Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, then the state's constitution calls McConnell, R-Charleston, to replace Bauer as lieutenant governor.
In effect, McConnell would be demoted from his top Senate leadership post in this Legislative-dominated state to a part-time constitutional officer, and he reportedly isn't interested.
Attempts to reach McConnell Wednesday were unsuccessful, though he issued a statement saying Sanford's recent admissions "have raised (questions) in my mind whether the Governor can effectively lead the state in the days, weeks, and months to come."
Meanwhile, several state senators have been talking about how all this might play out.
"I'll be frank with you. There have been some discussions among individual senators about that," state Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, said Wednesday, "but it's way, way too premature, and I think the big problem in discussing that is it takes us away form the larger problem we now face with the governor."
The last time a South Carolina governor left office before his term ended was 1965, when Gov. Donald Russell resigned to assume a U.S. Senate seat.
The lieutenant governor's office stayed vacant for about 20 months because the Senate President Pro Tem at that time didn't want the job.
But leaving the job vacant now isn't considered an option either because the state recently gave the lieutenant governor the authority to oversee the state's Office on Aging.
The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate but is not a senator and only votes in case of a tie.
"McConnell would never the leave the senate for nothing like that," State Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, said.
Ford said he already has heard from state Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Prosperity, about his interest in the seat. "I think he's a swell person, a great person," Ford said. "If he runs, he probably would win."
Martin, who has called for Sanford to resign, said it's too early for anyone to campaign for the job. "It would be appear to be very self serving on anybody's part to, on one hand, advocate for the governor to resign and, on another hand, be a candidate for that position."
Complicating the question further is that the Senate has adjourned its session for the year.
"I don't know how that will play out since we're not in session. We'll have to give that some serious legal review, and we will at the appropriate time," Martin said. "What we would do under the X, Y and Z scenarios undermines the discussion about the governor right now, and I'd really rather not do that."
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
"McConnell would never the leave the senate for nothing like that," State Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, said. So, does that mean that he would leave for SOMETHING like that? never...nothing? In all honesty and complete seriousness, I don't think I've ever heard a quote or read a statement from Robert Ford that was even close to being grammatically correct. As a senator and a representative of our state, the man needs some basic elementary English refresher courses. Especially now, when anything a politician from South Carolina says is splashed across national publications.
July 1, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justsayin (anonymous) says...
I agree! It is terrible, he is just reason #38948293 why people think SC residents are ignorant hillbillies!!!!!
July 1, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
squirt16oz (anonymous) says...
How in the name of the Lord does Glenn McConnell conclude he has ANY CHOICE as to whether to serve in ANY constitutionally proscribed office/capacity if Mr. Sanford were to resign??? He swore an oath to "...uphold the Constitution.." and the laws of South Carolina-does that oath mean nothing, now? He agreed to abide by the laws as they were written, not to selectively choose one or other position at his will! His will should be that of the people who not only approved the South Carolina Constitution, but with their votes elected him to SERVE!! It cannot be a, "Well, I don't like that job, so I won't do it!" affair or choice!
I've always felt Glen McConnell was a good man, an honest, dedicated man whose personal concerns took second place to the welfare and future of our State!! What is wrong with politicians in South Carolina of late?? Or is this just another example of where the true heart and soul of the Republican party really dwells? Is EVERY Republican morally and politically bankrupt??
July 1, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
et29412 (anonymous) says...
This is true. Sen. Ford and most of the folks working in a lot of our public schools do not speak proper English. If you can get them to answer the phone, you will find that they do not know how to speak proper English, so why should we expect the students to speak proper English. They ain't got no idea how they sound....
Anyway, we need to keep McConnell in the Senate!
July 1, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammanofdi (anonymous) says...
They ain't got no idea how they sound. You're exactly right. My point is, someone who is giving press conferences, speaking to AP reporters and blabbing on about God knows what needs to either:
a)learn to keep their mouth shut
b)learn to speak properly
People in public roles should have no other options, but unfortunately they do...
July 1, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
UNFRICKIN' BELIEVEABLE...STOP playing politics and REMOVE this man from office..Now he ( Sanford ) refuses to release his financial statement that he promised, showing his trips to New York and Argentina to meet his so call "SOULMATE" and here you guys talking about "All of this is to premature"...how about DO YOUR DAMN JOBS. Let this dead weight go. Now here you bumbling idiots talking about trying to hold on to power positions for your own EGOS....PLEASE..YOU ALL NEED TO TAKE A HIKE ON SOMEBODY'S TRAIL...!!!!
July 1, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moorech (anonymous) says...
As jammanifoldi pointed out, Sen. Ford was quoted as saying , "McConnell would never the leave the senate for nothing like that."
As I was quickly perusing the the article, that statement did stick out like a sore thumb. I said to my self, "No way Senator Ford said nothing like that." LOL!
They must have misquoted him. Otherwise, that's abominable.
July 1, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
voxpopuli (anonymous) says...
I hope the Governor steps down. It would serve all those pompous Senators right. It seem the Republicans have forgotten Regan's 11th commandment. The Republican Party in this state id dead. Time for new thinking in Columbia
July 1, 2009 at 6:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tides (anonymous) says...
Only a fool would believe anything that comes out of the mouth of any of these politicians.
I would not be surprised if Sanford has dirt on most of them.
July 1, 2009 at 7:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
"Anyway, we need to keep McConnell in the Senate!"
Why?
July 1, 2009 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
torde2u (anonymous) says...
That picture of McConnell looks so sleazy, like the classic corrupt politician, or like a white collar criminal. That got elected? His political stances are absolutely nauseating. I if Sandlefoot resigns this puppet of evil should do the same.
July 1, 2009 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
loreann (anonymous) says...
We will be just fine. We will survive. To leave a rabidly venereal imploding upon himself Mark Sanford in the Governor's mansion because we fear having to work out solutions is just plain wrong - compounding MORE wrong on top of all that is wrong with our governor, as a matter of fact.
Time for both parties to grow up and deal with the issue of the business of running our state - and work together forthwith.
And march Sanford to the curb like the rabid dog he is.... out the door, down the street, out of sight forevermore of all of us. And then force him - by serving him with a legally binding subpoena - to show us all of those records and statements. Enough is enough!
If he stole public monies to venereally tramp off to Argentina, New York, etc. solely to bed down those that would bed with him for extramarital "sport", then he is criminally culpable, too - on top of all the rest.
Time for all of us to move on - and leave Mark Sanford behind. We will be just fine.
July 1, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
LOL.......LOL
LOL.....
LOL.....
July 1, 2009 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
signseeker17 (anonymous) says...
These are the facts as I seem them:
1. The Gov CANNOT govern under the circumstances. He should RESIGN effective IMMEDIATELY.
2. I don't care if Donald Duck, Goofy or whoever have to step up to the plate; it doesn't matter. Shuffle the deck and redeal; SC has too many urgent problems that need attention now, we don't need the distractions. We need to move on.
3. See #1
July 1, 2009 at 11:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sandy37 (anonymous) says...
Maybe over the recess Mark's Maria could come up and spend some time in the Govenors Mansion. Then he would not have to spend any of SC's money. That would really burn someone would it not? Have a small dinner party for a few close friends and the media. I will gladly advise you how to get even if you need help. LOL
July 2, 2009 at 12:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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