Obama to weigh Sanford's request
By Robert Behre , Yvonne Wenger
Updated 02:54 p.m., March 12, 2009
Letter to President Barack Obama
Read Gov. Sanford's letter to President Obama about the stimulus money.
Gov. Mark Sanford's wish to use $700 million of federal stimulus money to cut the state's debt rather than prop up its budget soon will land on the desk of President Barack Obama.
The Post and Courier
Gov. Mark Sanford holds a placard Wednesday at Fox Music in North Charleston as he discusses his views on federal stimulus money.
If Obama refuses Sanford's request, as expected, then state lawmakers will decide whether to override the governor yet again.
The drama will unfold in the coming weeks as each of them grapples with what is widely considered the worst economy since the Great Depression.
Much of South Carolina's $8 billion share of the $787 billion stimulus package will go directly to individuals in the form of tax breaks, college help and other channels, and Sanford said he has no control of about $2.1 billion set to flow to state government for highway improvements, new waterlines and other projects.
But Sanford said his lawyers say he does control about $700 million of stimulus money, and he is weighing what to do with it as the state's unemployment heads toward record levels and its economy continues to struggle.
Sanford's letter
Gov. Mark Sanford's letter to the state Legislature regarding the use of federal stimulus funds. (PDF)
Sanford dropped by North Charleston on Wednesday, his third stop in the state, to explain his thinking. He said South Carolina has the highest debt per capita of Southeastern states and that using stimulus money to prop up the budget for two years could prove devastating if the economy hasn't turned around by 2011.
If Sanford can't use the money to lower the debt and lawmakers let that decision stand, then Sanford said he would refuse the $700 million, which then would go to other states.
Democrats' response
Sanford's philosophy hurts more than helps, press release response from the South Carolina Democratic Party. (Word document)
"There are consequences to every decision we make in life, and I'm comfortable with the consequences of this one," Sanford said. "The easiest thing in the world would have been to accept the money and move on, but it would be completely at odds with the decision-making framework that I've used over the last 15 years of my life."
Lawmakers may not let that happen. House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said the $700 million can help state agencies, such as the Department of Education, transition to smaller budgets over a few years rather than taking the hit at once.
Sanford's press release
Governor to ask White House for waiver to pay down state liabilities, press release from Gov. Sanford's office regarding the use of federal stimulus funds. (Word document)
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley urged Sanford to change his mind. "Paying off the debt does nothing for the schoolteacher who is losing a job or the probation officer who is being laid off," he said.
House Minority Leader Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, said the House, which passed its budget early Wednesday, plans to use the money as a one-time fix. "The recovery money was intended to fix some problems, specifically in the education budget, but also to help generate jobs," he said.
As the jockeying around the $700 million continues, the state Senate will begin debating the state budget.
U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn has said Sanford is making "yet another political chess move toward the 2012 presidential race," and that would be fine with K.C. Lombard, a Johns Island roofing contractor who greeted Sanford in North Charleston and urged him to run as an independent.
"I'm trying to survive the week," Sanford told Lombard. "It's not on the radar screen."
Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or rbehre@postandcourier.com. Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
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justmyview (anonymous) says...
Governor Sanford should just simply let the Republican Governors of Florida and California have the 700 million who said they are willing to take money that is refused by other states. Perhaps the money can be use to prop up the budget or create some jobs. Something needs to be done to bring down the state's unemployment ASAP.
March 12, 2009 at 5:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justmyview (anonymous) says...
Before all of the I hate Obama, Sanford is my hero comments begin, we need to look at how SC got in this position in the first place.
March 12, 2009 at 6:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cwmcpa (anonymous) says...
Gee with all of the success Mr Obama has had stimulating the economy maybe he has decided to listen to someone who is sane. Mr Sanford backs up his pledges, Mr Obama has the 24 hour rule with 25 pages of possible exceptions. Mr Obama has broken the guiness book of world records for the most campaign promises broken in 50 days, and after the grade from the economist today we see he is truly the affirmative action president. Mr sanford ran on term limits and kept his promise. Part of the republican revolution in 1994, he and his party reigned in the madness of Hiilarycare and with the fiscal discipline that even Clinton saw and tried to claim as his own, laid the path to a balanced budget. None the less 2012 just might be Mr Sanford's year, negative stuff just does not stick to him, Ask Mr Hodges. I would pay a whole pay check to see him debate Clyburn, after all Mr Clyburn is so gifted with his oratory skills, like listening to a second grader read the books of the Bible.
March 12, 2009 at 6:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
Sanford is an excellent governor when it comes to keeping South Carolina in its place - last.
March 12, 2009 at 7:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Give a drunk one more little shot to bring him down easy? I have no doubt that teachers will teach fine with the proper support. Cut out the wasteful high school sports, arts, and other fluff baby-sitting stuff while adding some discipline, and we'll have plenty of money to teach them to read, write, and cipher. Shorten the wasteful school day. Give them 5 classes: math, literature, civics, science, history. A high school class lasts what, an average of 53 minutes. So, 5 classes X 53 minutes = 265 minutes, or a little less than 5 hours. Start school at 7:30, pat them on the head as they leave for home about 12:30 or 1. By 2 or 3, they have plenty of time for homework, chores, play, and maybe a part time job.
March 12, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
theronce, the big problem with your idea for a shortened school day is that, in many cases, there is no one at home to care for these children at 12:30. The parent(s) is (are) at work. You've got to provide some ideas for who is to supervise these children during these afternoon hours.
Also, getting rid of music, art, and sports is just dumb. First of all, many kids end up finding their talents in those areas and end up making a living with them. Second, kids develop other useful skills like leadership, teamwork, work ethic, and discipline from these "extra-curricular" activities. They are part of education.
In a well-run education system, you should not have to sacrifice these important activities for the sake of math, science, history, civics, and English.
Yet another reason why Obama's emphasis on education is so important...
March 12, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
blind_eyes, It must be difficult trying to defend the impostor in chief as he screws up on a daily basis.
As evidenced by your posts your not to swift, especially when it come to simple math.
For six years with president Bush all we heard about from left wing loonies was how the war in Iraq was costing ten billion a month or whatever.
Unemployment was low, the market was tooling along okay, then disaster struck. Dummycrats got control of the congress and the next two years tanked the economy and put people out of work nationwide.
Now the fool in the white house along with the other members of the politburo are spending more in a month than Bush and the republicans spent in six years and nobody on the left even notices let alone cares.
11/08 Obama lied, 01/09 America died.
March 12, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
yird, reports of America's death have been greatly exaggerated.
You are such a drama queen.
March 12, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
badplf (anonymous) says...
harrell represents all the quintessential republicans in sc who only speak of fiscal responsibility but turn around and spend money and grow government.
it is too much debt (individual, corporate and government) that significantly led to the recession. If harrel and the other republicans in the legislature had followed the govorner's lead, we would be ahead of the curve by now.
why do politicians like harrel and riley always threaten the jobs of teachers and cops when it's time to make tough financial decisions?
why not the jobs of those that work at the aquarium, the baseball stadium, the golf course, the hunley museum the water slide parks, ect... you know, all those really important jobs that support the true function of government - spending tax money on pet projects.
March 12, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettotree (anonymous) says...
I think Sanford is doing a great job. A few years back when other states were going under we weren't. But now every state has financial problems. so why lay the blame on Sanford. I was not a Sanford fan at the beginning but then I seen what he was doing for the state. cutting spending as much as he could. We need that kind of person in the POTUS position. We don't need Obama taking more money from us to give to the undeserved (the LAZY BUTS..).
I would definitely vote for Sanford if he was to run for President. I think he will do our nation proud. He has ethics, he cuts spending. It is not his fault that people got laid off or fired and more money is needed to pay for unemployment. The economy totally stinks all over this globe and not just here in SC.
I commend him for not really wanting to take the money. If we did it would just put us in a more difficult position later. Apparently these Republican Governors who do not want to take the money are thinking of the future of the state and its people. I just heard a bit about Charleston County property taxes are going up. Going up for what???!!!????
I have yet to see anything on this and I had to get into work so I couldn't hear why it was going up.
Too bad Sanford can not run for another term as Governor, he would have my vote.
March 12, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_seriousHELP (anonymous) says...
Limbaugh is Right and the left prove it daily with their insane hatred for a Great American.
In fact, I dont think there is a leftist radio or TV commentator that can come close to his brilliance. And no tingle up El-Rushbo's leg when obama spits out mis-leading BS!
March 12, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_seriousHELP (anonymous) says...
Not only cant the left compete in the arena of ideas (thus the constant insults, name calling and hatred from lefties like blue_I_JimQ) when it comes to Rush, they cant compete with the right when it comes to TV.
CABLE NEWS RACE
TUES., MARCH 10, 2009
FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,212,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 2,376,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,331,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 2,274,000
FOXNEWS SHEP 2,044,000
FOXNEWS GRETA 1,965,000
CNN COOPER 1,214,000
CNN KING 1,185,000
MSNBC MADDOW 1,041,000
CNNHN GRACE 986,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 928,000
March 12, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cappy (anonymous) says...
Let's take the money and run all these programs for the next 2 years. When the money runs out we just drop the junk given us by the "massa" and try to survive on our own.Of course by then the "messiah" will have converted us to a socialized government (or worse) and it won't matter.
This imposter in the white house has a win/win situation. If the economy improves it's his doing. If it doesn't it's because Bush put us too far in the hole. Can't lose. What ever happened to states rights when each state could determine their fate?
I agree with Sanford. Cover the debt and then we have more to spend on needed programs.
March 12, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
Hey Blue Eyes...I know its hard to do some of your own research and much easier to listen to the liberal media tell you again and again that the financial crisis was caused by Bush but you need to check the facts.
Google Barney Frank and Fannie May and Freddie Mac and watch with your own eyes all the Democrats on the House Committee charged with overseeing the loan instutitions. Watch how they defend the insane lending practices while President Bush is calling for heightened regulation. Chairman Frank and all the dems were praising the very lending practices that were leading up to what we have today.
This isnt just some right wing defense of Bush, its the truth. If your honest you will look for yourself and check it out.
Its all right there on You Tube if you want to see what really happened. This isnt just someones opinion, its coming right out of the real perpetrators mouths. The republicans on the committee are calling for more regulation and the dems who were now in charge are ignoring them or drowning them out.
The democrats caused all of this plain and simple and have done and incredibly job of shifting blame. Its easy to do when 95% of the media is behind you.
March 12, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
obama will say NO . this will not buy future votes for the liberals.
Sanford has cut more government waste than any other politician i have known.
March 12, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
You can read the liberal tripe here all day but if you want the truth about who caused the financial mess...just check this out.
The defocrats hate video recorders...they cant run from the truth when its captured on video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_c...
March 12, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by WhatMeWorry on March 12, 2009 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yird, reports of America's death have been greatly exaggerated.
You are such a drama queen.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Drama queen? i'm not sure what that is supposed to be but if it's someone who can speak without the use of a teleprompter; yeah that's me!
blue_eyed idiot, I know it will be hard to take but if you can stand the truth go to,
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles...
March 12, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
upyerwazoo (anonymous) says...
Sanford and his cronies are the reason industries choose other states. yes the people may have gotten laidoff by now anyway but to have plenty of jobs in the first place would have been a good start.proof is in the pudding with m.sanford he has been in office for sometime now and he just discovered that the unemployment commission is out of whack.he should have known that years ago.while sanford may have cut some government waste .he and his constituents have done a injustice to this state in the long run.this state needed real good paying jobs in abundance .not minimum wage jobs in the service industry{no offence to those that work in the service industry}.he needs to take the money if he doesnt want to thats fine. i think south Carolinians should have the sayso after all its us whos taxes are going to go up to pay this back no matter where or what state gets it.South Carolinians have been sold out as cheap dumb labor for way to long by our elected politicians.we as a state should demand better.if anything take the money to start re educating our work force to make them stronger and more qualified for high skilled jobs.
some money to lure industries from our neighboring states to
south carolina.maybe a bullet train system from our other major cities.in korea just one system provided 7 thousand jobs for a few years.imagine two systems 10-14 thousand jobs plus light rail even more jobs.that and a light rail system for local large cities to connect to each other.
March 12, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_seriousHELP (anonymous) says...
mosinfan - blu_I_Jim1, doesnt care about facts, he just cares about spewing christian hate and racist rants at "right-wingers". Thats all the left can really do, the can not compete with the facts and truth.
Loki - being a shape shifter are you a salmon or a mare today? Actually, there have been a couple of books that show liberalism is a mental disoder.
Veteran psychiatrist calls liberals mentally ill
Publishes extensive study on 'Psychological Causes of Political Madness'
"Based on strikingly irrational beliefs and emotions, modern liberals relentlessly undermine the most important principles on which our freedoms were founded," says Dr. Lyle Rossiter, author of the new book, "The Liberal Mind: The Psychological Causes of Political Madness." "Like spoiled, angry children, they rebel against the normal responsibilities of adulthood and demand that a parental government meet their needs from cradle to grave."
As for the ratings numbers:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-n...
BTW, Lou Dobbs of ***CNN*** at 7 pm has been nailing Obama and it has been a blast watching Lou rip open the curtain and expose obama and pelosi and the dems over their insane agenda. You can see the little leftist reporters cringing as Lou just lambaste the O'administration.
March 12, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OldSouth (anonymous) says...
I think Sanford is making the right decision. The national debt couter in NY city needs more digits. That should be a sign. If we dont get debt under control it will ruin our currency and market much more than the current crisis. That all starts with the states.
March 12, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
upyerwazoo (anonymous) says...
As for blaming democrats or republicans for the mess this country is in.neither side is clean .members of both parties screwed us up.tey will continue to do so until we can get real leadership elected on both sides of the fence.
March 12, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnGalt (anonymous) says...
The debt that will be paid off is owed to pensioners, "30% of the state's pension obligation is unfunded. In terms of what would be needed to fix the deficit, Sanford said, "There's either a 25% cut to every state retiree or we have to raise taxes by 25%."
Let the retired folks get the money they expect so they can continue to buy crap so Walgreens doesn't go out of business.
March 12, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
upyerwazoo (anonymous) says...
Why is the pension deficit now being talked about.another place mark sanford has failed. this should have and could have been looked at years ago by him and our elected officials.
March 12, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
upyerwazoo (anonymous) says...
Mark and company had a chance to build a bigger tax base by luring industries and jobs to our state.until we get our local yoyo's out of office we as a state will continue to be a failure.
March 12, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
GOP idiots. Still living in denial.Sanford has been a disaster for this state just like the GOP controlled legislature.
March 12, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
Mark Sanford and his brother should have used their own money to pay their own debt for their own company.. They should also have filed financials as required by the SEC, Wilson Brothers USA Inc, stopped filing financials in 2004.
John Sanford picked up a nice little judgement in Beaufort County and he just can't seem to show up for court. BTW, these companies are all owned by the Sanford Clan of which Markie Mark is a major shareholder. Back in 2006, the Govenor was touting these companies, a publicly traded company when in fact they were insolvent and they had not reported financials for two years.
Now, SANFRAUD wants to tell us how to save and invest our money. Sanford, besides being a freak, is a hypocrite and a con artist.
March 12, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackReign (anonymous) says...
Sanford is right, Obama is Jimmy Carter deux!
Obama, Geithner Get Low Grades From Economists
"The economists' assessment stands in stark contrast with Mr. Obama's popularity with the public, with a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll giving him a 60% approval rating. A majority of the 49 economists polled said they were dissatisfied with the administration's economic policies.
Meanwhile, the economists surveyed this month predict that the economy will shed another 2.8 million jobs over the next 12 months as the unemployment rate climbs to 9.3% by December, up from the 8.1% rate recorded in February. Economists also see nearly a one-in-six chance that the U.S. will fall into a depression, defined as a decline in per-person GDP or consumption by 10% or more."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12367...
March 12, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IHATEINBEV (anonymous) says...
THANK YOU MARK SANFORD, FOR LOOKING OUT THE LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF SOUTH CAROLINA. DON'T TAKE THE MONEY. IT WILL COME BACK TO BITE US IN THE YOU KNOW WHERE. HAS ANYBODY OUGHT THERE PAID THEIR TAXES YET? YOU REMEMBER THAT NICE $600 STIMULUS CHECK LAST SUMMER? "FREE MONEY" RIGHT? WELL I HOPE YOU REMEMBER TO CLAIM IT AS "INCOME", BECAUSE IT IS TAXABLE. I HOPE YOU DIDN'T SPEND ALL OF IT, AND SAVED A LITTLE BACK FOR TAXES. THAT IS GOING TO BE THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENS TO THE STATES THAT INDULGE IN THE "FREE" BAILOUT MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
March 12, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
upyerwazoo (anonymous) says...
Posted by IHATEINBEV on March 12, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THANK YOU MARK SANFORD, FOR LOOKING OUT THE LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF SOUTH CAROLINA. DON'T TAKE THE MONEY. IT WILL COME BACK TO BITE US IN THE YOU KNOW WHERE. HAS ANYBODY OUGHT THERE PAID THEIR TAXES YET? YOU REMEMBER THAT NICE $600 STIMULUS CHECK LAST SUMMER? "FREE MONEY" RIGHT? WELL I HOPE YOU REMEMBER TO CLAIM IT AS "INCOME", BECAUSE IT IS TAXABLE. I HOPE YOU DIDN'T SPEND ALL OF IT, AND SAVED A LITTLE BACK FOR TAXES. THAT IS GOING TO BE THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENS TO THE STATES THAT INDULGE IN THE "FREE" BAILOUT MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
I f he doesnt take it we are still going to pay for it without any benefit from it.other states will receive it and every american will pay it through higher taxes.just because you dont accept it doesnt release you from the burden of paying it back.
March 12, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blah_blah_blah (anonymous) says...
The verdict appears to be in: Jamal the freeloader has defeated Joe the plumber! May America R.I.P.
*********************************************************
Joe the Plumber was a tax cheat, who will benefit from Obama's economic plan. He was just too stupid to understand it until later. He admitted all this.
Most Repubs are against bailing out these banks and corporations because their policies were off and bailing them out won't teach them a lesson. Isn't this the exact same principle that Sanford is using?
March 12, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
When will we be getting an itemized list of what funding the Governor plans to intercept? Which programs won't be funded if we do what he wants? Why are there no real specifics here?
I wonder if Sanford's friend the roofer went down to the bid room in Charleston to put in a bid on reroofing the public housing projects in Charleston. Those contracts were out for bidding a few weeks ago as a "shovel ready" project.
March 12, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
The headline for today: Obama OKs bill with earmarks. "Change we can believe in." Wasn't that his slogan? I hope you know now that he is just like the rest of the Washington liberal establishment and a Pelosi pawn. Joe Riley is a pawn to Barry Obama. Sanford is the man and he should pay off the debt with the money like he says. Sanford in 2012! Mark Is The Man!
March 12, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_seriousHELP (anonymous) says...
Posted by blah_blah_blah
"Joe the Plumber was a tax cheat,"
Didnt Obama try to hire several REAL tax cheats and got one appointed? Why is it you leftist love to attack the little guy!
March 12, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blah_blah_blah (anonymous) says...
Get_seriousHELP,
down with those idiots too, ALL tax cheats suck!
March 12, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
My fellow conservatives, Obama is President, relax, deal with it, and just survive the next four years. We may never see another Democrat president for the next 50 years after this disaster.
March 12, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
conservatives hate socialist agendas , liberals hate people that disagrees with them. socialism always fails , all liberals have left is hate.
March 12, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blah_blah_blah (anonymous) says...
Posted by greyrider on March 12, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
My fellow conservatives, Obama is President, relax, deal with it, and just survive the next four years. We may never see another Democrat president for the next 50 years after this disaster.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REALLY? Have you forgotten, who got us in this mess and to what party he belongs to? Luckily, all of America hasn't.
March 12, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
This is BS! This is supposed to be stimulus money that is supposed help our economy, NOT, help us pay off our debt just because we don't want to tax the wealthy in our state. What a farce!
March 12, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
BTW this trickle down economic mentality of Sanford's is sure helping our state, NOT, we are now 2nd in unemployment. Again, total BS!
March 12, 2009 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
badplf (anonymous) says...
the private sector thrives in spite of the government, not because of it.
March 12, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
WhatMeWorry, aha, dead-on, thanks for highlighting a big part of the problem...state reared citizens...makes me cringe.
March 12, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
blah who got us in this mess?
bill clinton , barney frank, chris dodd, and the ceo of freddie and fannie.
muslims , explain it anyway you want ,the attack was planned under clinton's rule. please don't forget , clinton made it illegal for intel agencies to share info>
katrina , waa waa bush didn't act fast enough!! the truth is the governor and the mayor did nothing to get them out. the national weather service and nasa was begging them to take action. bush's biggest mistake was thinking new orleans had good, hard working, sensible people with a desire to survive. that wasn't the case was it
March 12, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crabby (anonymous) says...
Sanford is an ideological idiot. Fortunately for him, most South Carolinians are too.
March 12, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Posted by crabby on March 12, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Sanford is an ideological idiot. Fortunately for him, most South Carolinians are too."
I concur!
March 12, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
if nothing else ,the last election taught us that rich democrats don't pay taxes and are not punished.
March 12, 2009 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blah_blah_blah (anonymous) says...
ed52, your personal attacks have no bearing on me, friend. be happy, and thank God for how fortunate we all are.
March 12, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
blah , you asked the question? I only responded . absolutely not a personal attack. but a absolute truthful response.
March 12, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blah_blah_blah (anonymous) says...
its all good. you're entitled to that opinion.
March 12, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmann (anonymous) says...
Gov Sanford seems to be the only politician who isn't drooling over more money to spend.
March 12, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
blah , take my comments and add the cnn ,msnbc,cbs and abc stories . i think you will find the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
i do thank god regularly for his goodness and his blessings.
March 12, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
Posted by blah_blah_blah on March 12, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by greyrider on March 12, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
My fellow conservatives, Obama is President, relax, deal with it, and just survive the next four years. We may never see another Democrat president for the next 50 years after this disaster.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REALLY? Have you forgotten, who got us in this mess and to what party he belongs to? Luckily, all of America hasn't.
Ok, let's discuss the truth. There were 4 major factors
1)Clinton was the one who (along with Dems in Congress) passed the legislation that led to the banking collapse
2)The corporate scandals DID increase on Bush's watch, but at least Bush did "something" by passing the Sarbanes-Oxley act that at least began the process of cleaning it up. He DID too little, but the Dems have, to this day, proposed NOTHING. And also, btw, Bush threw his long-time friend Ken Lay under the bus when the Enron scandal hit because it was the morally right thing to do. How many politicians would have done the same?
3)Bush FAILED to open up domestic drilling, thus leaving a large part of our economy in the hands of OPEC (arguably a terrorist-linked organization). Hopefully, Obama will succeed in opening up domestic drilling and making us energy-independent until we can develop new energy technologies. LOL
4)Bush II tried to spend his way into stimulating the economy. Again, Hopefully, Obama wouldn't be stupid enough to do the same thing. Would he?
March 12, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
morsen (anonymous) says...
OMG!!! Mark Sanford needs to move to Dallas Texas and live with George W. Bush!!! We need to get this man out of office and out of this state!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fmanigau (anonymous) says...
Approximately three years ago Governor Sanford was labeled the worst Governor in these United States when it comes down to common sense. Has anything changed? I am so ashamed of even being a South Carolinian.
March 12, 2009 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
What happened to all the money? Well the money is still here. It just isn't worth what it was a couple of years ago. All the stimulus money will do is cause more inflation. The government needs to find ways to stop the run away inflation instead of contributing to it.
March 12, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandnateater (anonymous) says...
Sanford for President!!!!
Finally someone with the good business sense to understand economics.
Why do you think this country is in the shape it's in. people spent spent spent, never saved. Sanford tried to save more money years ago when the state had a surplus, and the same legislation that said spend it don't save it are getting ready to do the same again. Put away your political differences and get educated on economics. Never ever in the world history has spending your way out of a economic depression ever worked. Not one time, ever! When it comes to the economy stop thinking democrat or republican or wahat ever party and start thinking about how to get money back in the hands of the american household. and let people spend it on what they need right now to save their home economics and right the ship where needed. Stop supporting this spending just because you hate busch. It's stupid. Support politicians that support putting the economy back in the hands of the people.
March 12, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
Sanford is the man. If he doesn't run for president he could be a great mayor for the city of Charleston!
March 12, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
Posted by fmanigau on March 12, 2009 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Approximately three years ago Governor Sanford was labeled the worst Governor in these United States when it comes down to common sense. Has anything changed? I am so ashamed of even being a South Carolinian.
I never put much stock in polls taken during happy hour.
March 12, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by fmanigau on March 12, 2009 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)"I am so ashamed of even being a South Carolinian."
There are 49 other states that will relieve you of your shame.
========================================================
Posted by blah_blah_blah on March 12, 2009 at 11:35 a.m.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REALLY? Have you forgotten, who got us in this mess and to what party he belongs to? Luckily, all of America hasn't.
NO NO, I haven't forgotten and in case you have go to
, http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles......
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Posted by ed52 on March 12, 2009 at 12:03 p.m.
Right on target.
March 12, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
If and when Sanford runs for preident, do you think no one will research South Carolina?
Once they see the numbers for this state Sanford will be seen as a laughstock, even by his own party.
Please! We are now #2 in the nation in unemployment, one of the highest in teen pregnancy, one of the last 4 in education. One of the highest in domestic violence. We rate a D on mental health. Yep, sounds like a great record to run on, NOT!
March 12, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
America will fall in love with Sanford after the current administration, Congress, BIG SPENDERS LIKE PELOSI AND REIDetc.
If not he would be a great mayor for Charleston!! Heck he already lives on Sullivans Island just like the current mayor!
March 12, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
JF - pull your head out of your butt......Sanford has been a joke and has made a joke out of South Carolina.
We are the first in everything bad and last at everything good!
You tell me one thing that we excel in the good category. Come on I dare you!
March 12, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
SANFORD.......NOW is the time ...NOW !! (FIST POUNDz!!)
Call everyone...OUT !!
1) James (DJ-Grand Master Flash) Clyburn for not standing up to Pelosi....!!!
2) Henry (On Golden Pond) Brown for NOT standing UP to ANYONE....!!?!? Has he called out Graham-nesty..?? Waste Management and BOB Peeler...??
3) Glenn McConnell-ista and Bobby Harrell-asa for not implementing TERM LIMITS...or earmarking...!?! ..or transparency.....or DHEC !?!
4) Senator Lindsey Graham-nesty for JUST about ANYTHING..!!! ..immigration SILENCE ....PORKULUS Spending .....ENERGY Slavery...!?!?!
5) Jim (Pimento) Demint-O .....for NOT leading and educating citizens about NEW ENERGY technology to benefit them locally...!! www.startech.net www.valcent.net www.selsam.com
6) Gresham (Pretty Boyz) Barrett for not being a TEAM Leader among the South Carolina Reps and for not calling OUT Clyburn or Spratt or Wilson...or Brown !!!
WE ...ARE....FED ...UP !!!
MARK SANFORD .....LEAD or get out of the WAY ...!!!!!
(Fist Poundz!!!!)
March 12, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
You rebs need to elect someone who reflects your intellectual depth and ideas. Miss Teen South Carolina is looking for a job and she'd be perfect! Then again she's porbably over qualified to lead ya'll.
March 12, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
COME...on ...SANFORD !!!!!
Drop the Atom BOMB that OBAMA did NOT do...!!!!
Ask the PRESIDENT .....WHY
1) We are not harnessing our WIND energy like the King of Jordan...!?!?! Why ...President OBAMA..??
2) Why are we NOT closing Landfills using PLASMA converters like Ottowa CANADA...!?!?! www.startech.net
3) Why do we NOT have truth of FUEL origin at the PUMP like we do for OUR fruit that we IMPORT...!?!
4) Why are we NOT producing AMERICAN ALGAE bio-Diesel to put in the BMW diesel ENGINES that SC workers are building..!?!?! WHY....OBAMA ..???
5) Why are we giving BILIIONS to DETROIT when NEW Lithium Ion Batteries are getting ready to be PRODUCED in MASS for Battery CARS....!!! Is Detroit going to RETOOL or are we going to still be SLAVES with no CHOICE to Hugo Chavez and AHAB the ARAB...!!?!?! WHAT....OBAMA..??
MARK....do you need me to PINCH hit for YOU....!?!?! Its time for AMERICA to see the BABE point out to the OUTFIELD...!!!!
MARK.......NOW IS the TIME...!!!!!
GET ....LOUD...!!!
Show up on GRAVEDIGGER Road and do ...WHAT to JAKE KNOTTS ~!!!!!
WE ...are...fed...UP !!!!!!!!!!!
March 12, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Luna, you are living proof of your own criticism of the less than perfect South Carolina educational system.
March 12, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
Today the Washington Post published one of the toughest pieces of journalism on what is happening here in South Carolina that I have seen. It is much bleaker than anything our own papers have printed.
Our Governor's determination to grandstand is drawing national media attention. Last week's warning shot over our High School graduation rate to Lindsey Graham was fair warning that our standard of living here doesn't put us in a position to lecture other parts of the nation on how to govern. Graham criticized the DC school district for it's graduation rates and national media reported ours was lower, 70 to 56%. Humiliating for South Carolina. Apparently Sanford didn't get the message.
Perhaps this will get through to him. It's a pounding, miserable, blow by blow account of what the recession is doing to Columbia, SC.
Of course Sanford and the Republicans will ignore it. The Post is a "Liberal" paper, but the rest of the world, including those considering inventing or bringing jobs here won't.
Read it and weep.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...
March 12, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
South Carolina ranks second only to California in peach production thats good ain't it?
March 12, 2009 at 4:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Akhenaton06 (anonymous) says...
The fact of the matter is that South Carolina tops every bad list and is at the bottom of every good list out there. How the hell is Obama responsible for that? The "good ol' boy" network in this state has South Carolina doomed, yet the people keep sending idiots like Ford and McConnell back to Columbia year after frickin' year. That's why I was forced to leave South Carolina a few years after college for the more prosperous, progressive, and well-run neighboring state to the north. I hope one day my home state will wake up and join the rest of the nation in the 21st century, but from what I see here, I seriously doubt it.
South Carolina: always a day late and a dollar short. And content with staying in that position, so long as everyone remains "in their place."
March 12, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Dmoney (anonymous) says...
WOW! the same state that has kids going to school built in the 1800's is refusing money.
March 12, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
papi305 (anonymous) says...
Well,well South Carolina has once again proven if the world needed an enema it would stick South Carolina up its butt. I am continually ashamed to call South Carolina my home state because of the gross ignorance that spews from the citizens of the state and the inept leadership displayed by Gov. Sanford. Our state is 49th in education, near the bottom in infant mortality,one of the highest in unemployment and the list goes on.If Mark Sanford thinks he can become president of these United States he is more delusional than I thought. I pity the fools who elected him to be govenor of the state by refusing to help the citizens of South Carolina in the worst economic crisis in our countries history is insane Sanford should be impeached and those jerks who think he is doing a good job should be flushed down the tube with him. Barack Obama will bring us out of this mess that republicans like Bush and Sanford has lead us into and South Carolina will still be stuck in the past as usual.
March 12, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
If all the people that hate South Carolina and have nothing good to say about it would leave that would be the first step to improving conditions for the rest of us.
Why stay around and be miserable? Go now, hurry!
March 12, 2009 at 6:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I read that story in the Washington Post. I don't usually read anything in that paper or the other far left paper the New York Times. What political motivation did they have to report on South Carolina's misfortunes. Don't they have plenty to report on in Washington DC? I guess there is no recession there and their welfare organizations are underutilized.
I could believe a lot of it, but believing that a person in a welfare organization, who sees major suffering everyday, wrote that woman a check for over a thousand dollars out of her own money is a little hard to swallow.
If she did that she needs the good Samaritan of the year award.
March 12, 2009 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vuduchld (anonymous) says...
I'm originally from South Carolina and I say don't give these citizens not one penny. They surely don't deserve. It comes as no surprise that Sanford has turned into a complete drama queen on this. The Palmetto state is last in everything except stupidity and ignorance and the conservatives dimwits running the state want to keep it that way. To accept 99 percent of the money and trying to claim the leadership high ground is the slimiest, sickest thing I've ever seen. I say give all $8B USD to the rest of the states that desperately need it and let SC slither down the crap hole even further. To take 1 per cent of that money to pay down debt you created is akin to theft, plain and simple. So, do the right thing Sanford, give back ALL the money because you and the people of SC don't deserve a penny!!
March 12, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fmanigau (anonymous) says...
The main question here is, does he hate the plan or does he hate the man?
March 12, 2009 at 7:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hot_Stuff (anonymous) says...
Keep up the good fight, Sanford.
March 12, 2009 at 8:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
just (anonymous) says...
What has Sanford done to attract business to SC? Having the second highest unemployment rate is not good for the wealthy or the poor and it doesn't happen unexpectedly-only when we become complacent and misguided.
Like Michigan's ineffective governor, a big time liberal, both have failed to attract business to their states, which are equally abundant in human and natural resources.
Now what? Reducing the state deficit is a responsible notion but what is being proposed to reduce unemployment? Have I missed something?
March 12, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Iknow (anonymous) says...
Yes, George Bush, Mark Sanford and the rest of their ilk have done such a wonderful job with the economy over the last 8 years. I wish all of you automatons would shut the hell up and give someone else a chance to clean up your mess. It took you 8 years to get us into this mess and will probably take as long to get us out.
March 12, 2009 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ethan57 (anonymous) says...
Sanford is a jackass. His pathological thrift ethic doesn't take the concerns of real life in these United States seriously. Who the hell cares if the budget is balanced if folks don't have jobs/food/housing? We are in deep trouble here. It's a long way back to "normal" from where we are. If SC owed not one penny things would be just as bad. Would he think things were "good" under those circumstances. I think Reily is a self serving opportunist but this is one time I agree with him. Sanford for president? George Wallace had a better chance than Sanford. Save YOUR OWN money Sanford. Donate it to a food bank rather than using it to run for an office that you will belittle by running for. What a putz!
March 12, 2009 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
philipmajestad (anonymous) says...
I don't want to go in detail with this. Because, in the first place I entirely don't disagree with Stimulus Bill. So I don't even think that this will work. Billions of foreclosures and bankruptcy is what dragging down the net worth of the economy. I just hope that the impact of this futile agenda wouldn't be a great damage to those individuals who are hurting most of the community.
http://www.murphyabovethelaw.com/
March 14, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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