Sincere applause for governor

COLUMBIA -- Gov. Mark Sanford strode into the state House chamber Wednesday night, shaking hands like it was the campaign trail. It was his final major address as the state's chief executive -- a State of the State speech that likely will make no difference for the state or the Republican's political future.

As he took the podium under the South Carolina and American flags, he carried with him ghosts of the past: high-profile fights with lawmakers in his own party and the Obama administration, a state with a poor report card when it comes to the literacy and health of its residents and a sex scandal that caused his personal and political downfall.

Few lame-duck politicians have been more lame.

In the spotlight

State senators, representatives and Supreme Court justices took their seats in the chamber. House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, adorned in purple robes, gathered on the dais behind Sanford.

If Jenny Sanford, who will soon divorce the governor, and their sons watched the speech, it wasn't from the Statehouse. The first lady planned to cook dinner at home and the boys had homework. They hoped to catch the speech on TV.

The governor began at 7:04 p.m.

The speech started the same as each of the six previous, with Sanford asking the chamber to pay tribute to the state's servicemen and women who died in war this year. But it wasn't long before he went off script, despite his use of a teleprompter for the first time.

Sanford apologized for what he said will be the last time to his family, the state, the nation and the legislators, who allowed him to survive impeachment. Sanford said he is coming to a deep understanding about the disappointment he caused.

"It means that I am weak and, at times, all too human. It means that I can only be saved by God's grace and I get that now in ways that I never have. ... It is my hope and my prayer that we can work together this year to make a positive difference in people's lives."

Sanford said he would back away in his last 11 months in office from most of the proposals he had set forth during his tenure and focus on a core few: the overhaul of the Employment Security Commission, creation of a Department of Administration, requirement for future governors and lieutenant governors to run on the same ticket, imposition of spending caps and authority for the state's chief executive to appoint some constitutional officers.

Applause to ovation

His message was well-received by legislators, perhaps in relief after it's all over.

And as a result, Sanford's last State of the State could be his most memorable.

"I thought it was the best State of the State speech he's given as governor and I think it was evidenced by the joint assembly's reaction to it," said Harrell, R-Charleston. "When he came into the room, he had basically light, polite applause. He had an extended standing ovation when he was finished. It tells that the membership very much appreciated his demeanor, his reaching out to them and, frankly, appreciated the initiatives he was proposing."

Earlier in the day, as Sanford spoke with reporters, he said he is "grayer" now than he was when he delivered the first State of the State address in 2003.

"As one goes through the falls and spills, the breaks of life -- whether self-induced or not -- there is a process of not only graying in the physical sense but a graying in the spiritual sense, a graying in an intellectual sense.

"The Bible consistently talks about how there is wisdom that comes with age and gray hair."

Sanford has leaned on Scripture verses throughout his tenure. He warned the Legislature of "seven fat cows and seven skinny cows" to talk about the ebb and flow of the economy. He said he was committed to rebuilding trust after he publicly admitted his affair in June and he said he looked to the example set by David to refocus on the work at hand.

Wednesday night was no different.

Sanford said his family minister, Greg Surratt, encouraged him before his second inauguration to live by a verse in Micah that calls one to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly.

"I never got that charge quite right over the following four years, I don't know that I ever will -- but I do know that I will be trying and would pass his charge to each of you who bear the pressures and responsibilities of elected leadership."

Lesson in diplomacy

Over the years, Sanford has clashed with the Republican-controlled Legislature, even making enemies within his own party. But during the speech, he recognized that he has not been as "diplomatic" as he could have been and he singled out at least a dozen legislators for their role in championing various causes, including tax cuts and roll-call voting in the House and Senate.

The governor said he recognizes now that his success comes when the people get behind him and make "loud, but respectful, noise for change."

And in the end, what could have been an opportunity to raise his national profile by touting his achievements in office was instead a 52-minute speech with few surprises that might leave a passing impression on the Legislature.

Before 8 p.m., Sanford walked off the podium, out of the chamber, off the stage and into an uncertain future.

Speech highlights

Highlights of Gov. Mark Sanford's State of the State speech:

UNEMPLOYMENT: Sanford called for the Employment Security Commission to be merged with the Commerce Department to create a new Department of Workforce. He again said the agency that processes claims for the unemployed should more actively coordinate with Commerce to help find work for the unemployed. He called reforming the Employment Security Commission his top request for the year.

CIGARETTE TAX: Sanford again called for raising the nation's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax from 7 cents per pack and using the money to cut income taxes. He said swapping the tax hike for a cut to corporate income taxes would make South Carolina more competitive.

See our special section on Governor Mark Sanford

SPENDING CAPS: Sanford reiterated his call to cap annual government spending so that legislators aren't tempted to spend when times are good. He said he's been proven right on overspending and said the recession provides an opportunity to commit to spending limits. He asks that the money first be used to pay down debt, then either set aside for a "rainy day" or returned to taxpayers. He thanked the House for passing such proposals in the past and applauded efforts by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell in the Senate.

GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING: Sanford again called for more agencies to be moved under the governor's control. He asked legislators to put the governor and lieutenant governor on the same ticket. And he wants legislators to let voters decide whether other statewide offices, such as the adjutant general, should be appointed rather than elected.

FEDERAL DEBT: Sanford urged residents to "make your voice heard" in Washington. He reiterated his argument, which dominated last year's session, that mounting federal debt is threatening taxpayers, the dollar and the country's financial stability. He said substantial cuts in state services or tax increases are coming unless residents push for change.

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Also in the speech, Sanford:

--Apologized “one more time” for the situation he created by his affair with an Argentine woman.

--Lauded his estranged wife Jenny for “her truly phenomenal grace” that she showed “to the world” following his confession, and asked legislators to applaud her in her absence.

--Recognized House Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman for their work in securing a new Boeing airliner assembly line in North Charleston.

--Asked residents to look for ways to volunteer to help others who are struggling "in these trying economic times."

What they're saying

What he really did was show what we can do in South Carolina with teamwork. The people of South Carolina are better off when we all pull in the same direction.'

Sen. Paul Campbell, R-Goose Creek

'I think the governor proved to the state that he is, in fact, a long-distance runner. I think the people saw him get his political second wind. I saw him come back into the old Mark Sanford. He was very humble and, I think, very effective.'

Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney

'I am going to work with him to try and get as much done as I can. I picked up from him that in his last 11 months, he'd rather make headway than headlines.'

Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston

'I believe the General Assembly is very likely to adopt many of the things the governor talked about in the State of the State. I sense a desire by the membership of the House and the Senate to get some of these reforms done this year.'

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston

Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-926-7855 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.