My God! SC Republican Governor practically endorses Obama

[Perky]

Obama’s symbolism here
By MARK SANFORD - Guest columnist
I won’t be voting for Barack Obama for president. There are too many vital issues — from taxes and spending, to immigration and national security, to traditional values — on which we have fundamentally different points of view about the right direction for our country. However, as the presidential campaign trail now makes its turn toward this state, and as South Carolinians make their final decisions on whom to vote for, it’s worth pausing to take notice of something important that the Obama candidacy means for our corner of America.

South Carolinians are rightly proud of our state’s rich heritage and history, dating from the earliest Colonial times and our ancestors’ heroic efforts in the Revolutionary War right up to the present day. I say this because we’re a state that loves history, and one of the nicest parts of my job lies in constantly being exposed to the extraordinary achievements of South Carolinians past and present. In the Obama candidacy, there is a potentially history-making quality that we should reflect on. It is one that is especially relevant on the sensitive topic of race — because South Carolina and the South as a whole bear a heavier historical burden than the rest of our country on that front.

As governor, I try to keep that historical burden in mind, because being sensitive to race has both policy and symbolic implications. I strongly believe that policies such as school choice and reforms to allow Medicaid recipients additional health care options will have a disproportionately positive impact on African-Americans in our state. Others disagree, favoring a larger role for government than the private sector, and those legitimate policy disagreements will always be with us in the political arena.

On the symbolic front: Having a more diversified Cabinet, issuing the first formal apology for the Orangeburg Massacre and traveling across the state line to Georgia to address the South Carolina NAACP convention have all represented small steps aimed at building bridges across waters that have divided us for too long as South Carolinians. In short, just like hundreds before me and scores of others trying in their own ways, I try to build bridges where I can — but I write because it all pales in comparison to the change that may be before us.

Sen. Obama is not running for president on the basis of his race, and no one should cast their ballot for or against him on that basis. Nonetheless, what is happening in the initial success of his candidacy should not escape us. Within many of our own lifetimes, a man who looked like Barack Obama had a difficult time even using the public restrooms in our state. What is happening may well say a lot about America, and I do think as an early primary state we should earnestly shoulder our responsibility in determining how this part of history is ultimately written.

Gov. Sanford’s Web site is scgovernor.com; he has not endorsed any presidential candidate.

http://www.thestate.com/editorial-columns/story/281604.html

[Stand and Fight]

1. Are you nuts?

I couldn't disagree more. The first words he penned are, "I won't be voting for Barack Obama for president."

[skipos]

2. "I won't be voting for Barack Obama for president" = endorsement to the Obamahaters. nt

[Adelante]

3. Is he a Democrat?

How strange.

[AlCzervik]

14. the republicans are floating his name the possible vp spot on the repube ticket.

[librechik]

4. sure, man. I absolutely believe you that race is not an issue with Barack

It would just be dreamy if he is the candidate running against huckabee in the General in S Carolina. For no reason whatsoever. Say, when ARE you going to take down the Confederate Flag from the Statehouse?

[aquart]

8. Oh, how could you suspect such a devious thing?

[Texas_Kat]

5. It's a shoutout to Republicans to vote for Obama in the

South Carolina primary.

"I do think as an early primary state we should earnestly shoulder our responsibility in determining how this part of history is ultimately written."

Couldn't be more obvious.

[aquart]

7. Then they do have crossover?

Which would, of course, give a completely false idea of the SC votes Obama could win in the general. That's not nice.

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. they do not....

I heard it on Randi Rhodes yesterday, the Dem & Repub primaries aren't even held on the same day. They don't believe in mixing.

[Texas_Kat]

16. So he's telling the Repubs to wait till the 26th

to vote in the Democratic primary and not participate in the Repub primary on the 19th.

[aquart]

6. Uh, he votes in the Republican primary, right?

Do they have party crossover in SC? Because, if they don't, he's speaking to the Democrats after reassuring the Republicans. It's the Democrats he's telling to vote Obama. Isn't that sweet?

[Perky]

9. No it is a closed primary.. He is telling Dems to vote for Obama

[elizm]

10. Not a closed primary...you can vote in either one...just not both. nt

[Perky]

12. really. That makes it even more astorunding.

[elizm]

18. Yes, it is interesting....and does make you ponder...

I'm hoping it was sincere. Or maybe he just fears how ugly it could get here in SC and doesn't want his state to be seen that way.

[Texas_Kat]

13. Wrong...... You can declare a party affiliation on election day

"Do I have to declare a political party when I register to vote? Why can't I vote a split ticket in the primary?

Voters are not registered by political party in South Carolina. On primary election day, the voter may choose a political party with whom to participate. Once a party choice is made, for that primary election, only one ballot may be voted. The primary is only a nomination process for a political party; whereas the general election a voter may split the ticket among various political parties and candidates of their choice."

http://www.countyofunion.com/voter.html

[Perky]

15. This is confusing because they are not on ther same day

What's to prevent someone from voting in both?

[Texas_Kat]

17. Same reason you can't vote in both primaries in any other state

Vote registration rolls.

You know, they mark it next to your name when you vote.

[flpoljunkie]

19. I don't see it that way. He says don't vote for or against him because of his race.

[sandnsea]

20. WARNING! A Black Man is running!!!

Who knows what his agenda is. Maybe he wants to make sure SC isn't the state that puts a black man in the White House.

[Bucky]

21. This was a smart move. Sanford is gunning for the VP slot.

This puts him on the map.

[jackson_dem]

22. Ben Nelson is also endorsing him