A Case for Mark Sanford

[paul718]

Let me start off by saying that I am not any kind of Sanford-supporter.  This is just something that's been in my head. 

I would think that the front-runner, and likely nominee, should be Romney.  However, a combination of the sorry state of the GOP, the strong state of the Democratic Party, and the public's love-affair with Obama could change the dynamic enough to allow someone unexpected to win the nomination.  I think 2012 could be a year where the GOP rejects its tendancy to nominate the "next-in-line".

I can't shake this gut feeling about Mark Sanford.  He's a deficit hawk (what will argument #1 be for the GOP in four years?), he's young (by Republican standards), he's chairman of the RGA (not a huge deal, but I assume it would help with name recognition, build relationships, build contact lists, etc.), and he's a Southerner (as much as the GOP would like to avoid being a regional party, there is undoubtedly an advantage to being from the South).

There is the issue of whether he even has presidential aspirations.  I think he was quoted during his last gubernatorial run that it would be his last campaign.  But can we all agree that, in modern politics,  statements like that mean absolutely nothing?  I do think he wanted a VP slot, based on him not endorsing anyone until the nomination had been decided. 

Would he be the strongest candidate?  I don't think so.  As I've stated before, I think it's very possible for his opponent to paint him as a simpleton.  I still shudder when I think of his freeze-up on one of the cable news shows, when asked to explain the difference in economic policy between McCain and Bush.  But, of course, McCain might've borne the brunt of it more than Sanford ever will. 

There are plenty of other dark horses should the GOP break from tradition.  But I think there's more to a possible Sanford candidacy than meets the eye.

Thoughts?

[Keystone Phil]

Sanford would be excellent. The freeze up from last year makes me cringe but other than that, he seems like he's on the ball. I'd be happy with him as the nominee. He'd be one of my top choices.

[Nixon in '80]

I've actually thought for a while that Sanford will run, and has a much better shot at both the nomination and the Presidency than anybody gives him credit for.

Am I predicting President Sanford in 2012? No. Am I saying it's plausible? Absolutely.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

He won't run. I've met the man several times and he loves South Carolina too much to leave it. He harped on how he would never run again after his last gubernatorial race, and I believe him. I would be shocked if he decided to go against what he's been saying and challenge Obama. If he did, I'd be one of his biggest supporters.

[Erc]

I was pulling for him as VP last cycle, but he got no traction, whatsoever.  Zippo.  Was barely talked about.  Unsure why that is, but that plus his adamant denials of any interest lead me to believe he won't go for it.

[Lunar]

The GOP probably wasn't looking for a guy with a thick South Carolinan drawl in 2008.  We can only hope they will be in 2012

[Mr. Morden]

The GOP probably wasn't looking for a guy with a thick South Carolinan drawl in 2004.  We can only hope they will be in 2008

Are you in a timewarp....where 2008 is in the future?

Anyway, with regard to Sanford, I really didn't think he was interested in running, but since Election Day, he seems to be popping up in the news all over the place, with regard to his opposition to the various bailouts.  Maybe that's just a coincidence, and not part of any larger effort to improve his national profile......but regardless, being a very vocal bailout opponent will surely be a net positive, should he choose to seek the GOP nomination down the road.

[Lunar]

4 years off.  oops

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I have to strongly disagree with the idea that Sanford could win the nomination.  His rhetoric is all that smaller-government and fiscal-prudence advocates could hope for, but his performance as governor is sorely lacking on many fronts.  At most he could prove to be a slightly more successful version of Ron Paul in 2012, or if he's willing to abandon the GOP, he could be the nominee of the Libertarians.

Neither of those is likely.  If Sanford remains active in politics past the end of his second term, it will be because he and DeMint try to switch places, with DeMint running for Governor and Sanford for Senator in 2010.  That's also a low probability possibility, but it is sever orders of magnitude more likely than a Sanford presidential run in 2012.

[Inmate Trump]

I'm not opposed to Sanford, but he seems sort of the like Republican party of old.  Maybe it's just me.

And I'm not sold on Romney.  At this point, I would vote for Obama (an extreme I don't even like to think about) over Romney.

[paul718]

He's said time and again that he's done.  I don't know why people don't believe him.

I think it's because politicians say they're done all the time, then don't follow through.  For example, our new President and Vice-President had both been quoted as saying that they would not be the President and Vice-President.  Has he said it since his last gubernatorial race?   I thought he might've said it only to calm any fears SC voters might've had that he would abandon them for a presidential run in '08.

[Psychic Octopus]

Draft Sanford 2012

or if sucessful Obama 2020.

[Nixon in '80]

Draft Sanford 2012

or if sucessful Obama 2020.

But not 2016?

[Psychic Octopus]

Draft Sanford 2012

or if sucessful Obama 2020.

But not 2016?

I don't want to see four two-term presidents in a row. I want to see a good president brutally defeated by a republican due to a third party with much suppport running.

(1992 style)

[Governor PiT]

Sanford seems like he could be viable unlikes religious right types such Palin or Jindal do to his libertarian appeal same with Gary Johnson but Sanford also is liberal on immigration which sucks.

[Psychic Octopus]

Sanford is my choice in 2012.

[Keystone Phil]

Sanford might have a chance at the Hispanic vote.

[Lief 🗽]

Hey guys! Guess what's illegal in the great state of South Carolina?

Adultery!

[12th Doctor]

Sanford might have a chance at the Hispanic vote.

Zing!

[Rowan]

He's an idiot. We get it. Now move on.

[12th Doctor]

Hey guys! Guess what's illegal in the great state of South Carolina?

Adultery!

Fornication is illegal in South Carolina?  Wow!

[Sam Spade]

Hey guys! Guess what's illegal in the great state of South Carolina?

Adultery!

Fornication is illegal in South Carolina?  Wow!

Yep.  Especially with non-whites.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Hey guys! Guess what's illegal in the great state of South Carolina?

Adultery!

Fornication is illegal in South Carolina?  Wow!

Yep.  Especially with non-whites.