If Bauer moves up, who takes his place?
If Gov. Mark Sanford were to resign, it would affect the man many feel is actually the most powerful official in state government: Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell.
Glenn McConnell
If Sanford steps down and is replaced by Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, then the state's constitution appears to call on McConnell to replace Bauer as lieutenant governor.
In effect, the Charleston Republican would be demoted from his top Senate leadership post to a part-time constitutional officer, and it's a change he doesn't want.
"I don't think any resignation by the governor is imminent, at least based on the latest stuff I've heard," McConnell said Wednesday. "It does present problems for me, there's no question about that."
First elected President Pro Tem in 2001, McConnell said he began looking at this question a few years ago and actually wrote a resignation letter effective upon the lieutenant governor's position becoming vacant. He since has torn it up.
"Right now the prevalent thinking in the legal circles is that if something like that were to happen, I could refuse it," McConnell said. "There's some that question that."
Press release
Statement by Sen. President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, (Word doc)
McConnell said he wouldn't want to give up his Senate seat and 28-plus years of seniority, and resigning his President Pro Tem post would leave the Legislature unable to return to session this year should lawmakers have to deal with a budget crisis or another urgent matter.
"It would leave the state in the precarious situation where if we have a budget shortfall, there would be no way for the General Assembly to get back," McConnell said. "It starts to become legally entangled."
Meanwhile, several state senators have been talking about how this might play out.
"I'll be frank with you. There have been some discussions among individual senators about that," said state Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, "but it's way, way too premature, and I think the big problem in discussing that is it takes us away from 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 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 also presides over the Senate but is not a senator and only votes in case of a tie.
Martin, who has called for Sanford to resign, said it's too early for anyone to campaign for the job. "It would 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."
While McConnell feels like he doesn't need to resign his position in order to keep it, other lawmakers aren't so sure.
"The only way to address the reality (of state law) is to make sure you're not the President Pro Tem position when the governor resigns," said state Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Isle of Palms. "That's the only way to deal with it that I can conceive of. I've heard that something like that may happen."
McConnell said he is not sure how the General Assembly would handle the lieutenant governor's vacancy, though he also said he has heard of fellow senators who are interested.
"I haven't moved any further than the threshold issue of: Do I need a letter of resignation on my desk?" he said.
Martin also said he is unsure what would happen next as far as filling the lieutenant governor's post.
"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
WAres (anonymous) says...
Exactly, for whom is the Senator most concerned? His own political standing or the people he serves? I have been a supporter of McConnell, but this smacks of self servedness. Term Limits, anyone?
July 2, 2009 at 1:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nickl (anonymous) says...
WAres, you bring up a good point. I too have long supported Senator McConnell. However, I don't beleive in term limits. Politicians are like anybody else. They want to keep their job. If we enforce term limits, then there is no incentive for that politician to continue to serve the interests of the people that elected him or her to office if they are going to lose their job no matter what and they are more likely to make deals and legislation that suite their own personal benefit than that of the people. If the politicians goal is to remain the elected representative, then they must give the people what they want. That's a win-win. In order to keep their job, they have to please their boss (the constituents). Therefore, we are more likely to get the will of the people, rather than self-servedness without term limits.
July 2, 2009 at 3:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grinder (anonymous) says...
Glenn's used his seniority for the good of his constituents, so I have no problem with him protecting the status quo.
However, if Andre became governor, then stepped down... !
July 2, 2009 at 5:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
voxpopuli (anonymous) says...
It would serve those pompous Senators right when the Governor resigns. The Republican Senators have forgotten Ronald Regan's 11th commandment. We need new leadership in Columbia all around.
July 2, 2009 at 6:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Who cares, the Governor should step down immediately!
July 2, 2009 at 6:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
So what, as long as the republican party is still in control it is just one immoral hypocritical jerk replacing another.
July 2, 2009 at 7:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spengler (anonymous) says...
No sympathy here. You ran for office, McConnell, nobody held a gun to your head. If you can't follow the Constitution's order of succession, then you do not need to be my senator. Your statement shows you no longer deserve to represent anyone in this state. Sir, due to your desire for power, you have just lost my vote. If nobody runs against you, I'll write in my dog. He can bark, too.
July 2, 2009 at 7:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Regardless of any consequences, Sanford should resign. nickl, we have a representative democracy. The people should not always get what they want, because the people are often wrong. The evidence of the people often being wrong is their rare use of the vote to replace an incumbent. That is why we should try to elect good leaders who know when to tell the people or their party "no...here's a better way".
July 2, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
Its simple, go by the State Constitution. In 18 months the political situation will change. South Carolina is not Latin America.
July 2, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beentook2 (anonymous) says...
If Tweedledum Little Cisco Bauer moves to Governor, then Tweedledee Rust Bucket McConnell moves to Lt. Governor, then Fat Poncho Knotts moves to Senate President Pro Tem. Then South Carolina will truly become the biggest egg sucking State in the known Universe. It is so silly that you don't know your fairy tales. Shame on you.
July 2, 2009 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Winker (anonymous) says...
If anyone has ever seen McConnell get mad, you would know Sanford will probably never step down. I am sure McConnell has made it very clear to Sanford he is going to have to ride this storm out. Guys like McConnell serve themselves not the state..
July 2, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
Term limits.
When a political position is looked at as a "job" or a career, instead of an opportunity to serve one's country, state, or city ....all too often the focus becomes "contaminated" by the desire to keep one's job &/or promote oneself instead of representing the people.
If governing has become so big & complicated that an elected representative/senator must have "seniority" in order to get anything significant accomplished for the people he/she represents/..then that government has become too big!!
July 2, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RPSERV (anonymous) says...
You know that something is wrong with our governmental structure when a senator, elected by only one district within the state, is the most powerful person in state government.
It's Time to change our state government structure !!!
July 2, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Commonman (anonymous) says...
Sanford resigns, Bauer becomes Governor. McConnell resigns as President Pro Tempore and David Thomas is elected President Pro Tempore for the purpose of moving to Lt. Governor. Remember he ran for Lt. Governor before and he would obviously want it. McConnell is then re-elected as President Pro Tempore and retains his Chairmanship of Senate Judiciary. The Republicans and Democrats would have to support this scenario when they consider the alternatives. McConnell has been fair in presiding over the Senate. He has not been overly partisan. Reapportionment is coming up and it would be easier to work with McConnell than anyone else. McConnell is the one Senator that would be irreplaceable if the Senate intends to maintain its stature and influence in governing our state.
July 2, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
RPSERV, these demlites are amatuers. Since Reconstruction up into the 60's, the top dem senator and top dem representative agreed on which dem would be the dem gov of SC for the next 4 to 8 years. These two would then dictate to the gov what would happen. The gov was merely the public voice of the dem legislature. If the dem gov played nice with the dem legislature for 8 years, then he might get the ok to run for national office or get a judgeship or some other plum. These demlites have not figured out how to play nice with each other yet.
July 2, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
I do not believe that one can be re-elected Pro-Tempore if one resigns that position, for any reason. I'm not absolutely sure, but I think that is correct.
July 2, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lloyd007 (anonymous) says...
THEIR ALL A BUNCH A SLEEZY CROOKS..!!!!
July 2, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I would think that these positions would become "acting." No reason for anyone to resign positions. Once elections are held and positions are filled business would resume as usual.
July 2, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
The only way the "acting" status could be used in my understanding is if the governor were to take a temporary leave of absence. Even if that leave were to be until the next election. However the way the legislature has shown total control and thrown out the checks and balances in the system, I'm sure they can just make up new laws as they see fit to serve their own interests. If you want term limits, then vote against the incumbents every election.
July 2, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RuleNumberOne (anonymous) says...
Senator McConnell is right in trying to preserve his role in the Senate. Truth is, the Lt Gov is a powerless position while McConnell calls most of the shots in state government.Who would want that kind of job demotion? Politicians use power as their currency, and anything that will diminish that standing is not a good move for the Lowcountry. Besides, the state Constitution provides a line of succession for Governor. I'm not sure it spells out that the Senate President Pro Tem would become Lt Governor, who is also President of the Senate. He acts as presiding officer in the Lt Governor's absence anyway. And the Lt Gov is technically over the Office on Aging ( a BIG Mistake because Bauer has shamelessly used that office to boost his career) but it's run by a very capable acting director. Thank you, Governor- another fine mess.
July 2, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WSM (anonymous) says...
Great day! A lot of this could be fixed by Constitutional requirement:
1. Term limits. 2. Line item veto. 3. A super majority of the legislature to require passage of a new law or taxation.
Yep, the Confederate Constitution looks better every day! I'm sure SEN McConnell would agree.
July 2, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doiseeu2 (anonymous) says...
Maybe now people will realize that there may be consequences when power-hungry clods are elected to public office and some pretty-boy ignoramus gets nominated for Lt Gov.
July 2, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred_durst1 (anonymous) says...
I'll settle this. Elect me I'm an honest mo-fo.
I promise a chicken in every pot.
Now everyone stop surfing the internet and get back to work.
July 2, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
"Your statement shows you no longer deserve to represent anyone in this state. Sir, due to your desire for power, you have just lost my vote. If nobody runs against you, I'll write in my dog. He can bark, too."
"When a political position is looked at as a "job" or a career, instead of an opportunity to serve one's country, state, or city ....all too often the focus becomes "contaminated" by the desire to keep one's job &/or promote oneself instead of representing the people."
Spengler & Abit share the Best Post of The Day Award!!!!!
July 2, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Another sleazeball worshiped by the kool aid chugging masses trying to figure out how finagle a way to keep the status quo and promote himself without following the rules.
Loser
July 2, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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