Mark Sanford: The G.O.P.’s Goldwater Solution? Will Mark Sanford, the Republican governor of South Carolina, be the one to put his party back together again?
He’s already being hailed as a “folk hero to conservatives” for his early opposition to President Obama’s stimulus plan, a fight that continues as the governor now maneuvers to use his share of the stimulus cash to pay down debt instead. On Tuesday, the White House rejected his initial request, and yesterday, Stanford wrote back, reiterating his arguments and refocusing his proposal — for example, to use education stimulus funds to pay down education debts. (Veronique de Rugy at the Corner has a copy of Sanford’s letter to the White House.)
Sanford’s fight is at least winning him a higher media profile. In the March issue of The American Conservative , Michael Brenden Dougherty details the governor’s policy positions — not all of which are standard G.O.P. operating issue — in the context of 2012:
Sanford’s conservative credentials compare favorably to anyone else mentioned as a 2012 presidential contender. He calls the public-education system “a Soviet-style monopoly.” He promoted school choice through tax rebates to avoid the appearance of government control. He passed a “Castle doctrine” bill that was supported by the NRA. He favors a law-and-order approach to immigration, but opposed REAL ID on civil liberties grounds. Though he avoids showy displays of piety, he is reliably pro-life.
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Mark Sanford: The G.O.P.’s Goldwater Solution?
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/mark-sanford-the-gops-goldwater-solution/99% unemployment here we come. Talk to your governors because he will probably help pay down your debt too. Sanford better remember that when people in this state get fed up they tend to act rather quickly and rather strongly. Ex: Fort Sumter
He's a beady eyed asshole.