S.C. Guv to Obama: Thanks, But No Thanks
EmailABC News’ Teddy Davis reports: South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) has completed his review of the recently enacted stimulus package and will be sending President Obama a letter in the next few days asking for permission to apply a quarter of South Carolina’s stimulus money, approximately $700 million, to paying down state debt rather than using the money to fund government programs. "Should the President grant our waiver request, we will accept the federal monies and apply them to our state debts and contingent liabilities, thereby strengthening both our short and long-term economic climate as a state," writes Sanford in a Tuesday letter to South Carolina state legislators obtained by ABC News. If Obama turns down Sanford’s request, the South Carolina governor will not seek the $700 million in stimulus funds which are under the governor’s discretion. This move will likely prompt South Carolina’s legislature to pass a concurrent resolution giving the legislature access to the funds. "In the unfortunate case that the President would deny our request, I will not seek the funds, as I believe doing so would not help our current economic problems and would do real harm to our future financial picture," writes Sanford. South Carolina’s House passed a resolution on Monday indicating that it wants the funds over Sanford’s objections. The state Senate has not yet acted. Sanford would not be able to veto a concurrent resolution. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., inserted the concurrent resolution provision into the stimulus package to guard against Sanford and other GOP governors turning down any sizable portion of the federal stimulus funds. While Sanford is trying to redirect how $700 million in stimulus funds are spent, $2.1 billion worth of stimulus funds are flowing to the state of South Carolina beyond the governor’s discretion, according to an estimate provided by the State of South Carolina. Sanford is the chairman of the Republican Governors Association and a potential candidate for president in 2012. To read Sanford’s letter in PDF form click here. UPDATE: Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., issued a statement Tuesday evening calling Gov. Mark Sanford’s (R) stimulus decision "yet another political chess move towards the 2012 race." In his statement, Clyburn urges the South Carolina Legislature to take advantage of the concurrent resolution option so the state can claim all of its stimulus funds, including the $700 million that Sanford does not want to use for expanded government programs. Clyburn says "ideological purity" hurt the US during the Great Depression and would do so again if Sanford’s course were followed. ABC News’ Ferdous Al-Faruque contributed to this report.
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I’m sure the citizens of the great state of South Carolina don’t give a darn about Sanford’s presidential ambitions and “conservative principles” and simply want to find a job or get an extension on government benefits if they can’t find one.
This is sick…
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | March 10, 2009, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
No, No, No. Sounds familiar. Why does South Carolina have a deficit? Self-serving bastard.
Posted by: sngeorgia | March 10, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
Is SC one of the states that have sent cease and desist letters to the pres, because they are trying to take powers away from the state with this stimulus? Why haven’t any of you ace reporters given us this story????
Posted by: samhiguchi | March 10, 2009, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
This is the same old games being played for votes. South Carolinians should kick you out of office and fast. One of the poorest States in the Union. Sanford ought to be ashamed of himself.
Posted by: sngeorgia | March 10, 2009, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
Another one of the crazies of the right-wing courting Rush’s endorsement over the welfare of the people they were elected to represent. The leaders of the Republican Party only care about themselves and their morally corrupt cronies. Their attitude is let the people of my state suffer so I can make a philosophical point.
Posted by: Mike | March 10, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
This clown with his nice SALARY and HOUSE, How could he feel what the people are feeling , they should fire his tail in the next election.Look at his state its a mess on every level, but voting against funds that could sure help the people.
Its so INSANE!! I will be amaze if he gets re-elected. the DEMS really needs to shoot ADS on what the stimulus could have done for them, And why this guy refuse to improve and help that state.
playing politics with peoples LIVES truly SICK.
Posted by: ryan | March 10, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
The money has strings attached which would end of costing the state more money
Posted by: jane Ryan | March 10, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
Which inreturn would cut more from the state
Posted by: jane | March 10, 2009, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
A bunch of clowns putting people’s economic interest at risks to cuddle Limbaugh & his cohort of extremists.
Posted by: D. | March 10, 2009, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
Good for Sanford. He is doing the correct thing. If the people of SC want the money, the legislator should vote for it. That said we are broke.
Posted by: Huh | March 10, 2009, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
I have only 5 words that the governor of SC should remember as he consider running for highest office in the land in 2012. “Stanford, you are beyond Stupid.” How can you think of making powerful decisions for 50 states when you cannot make them for one state. You are beyond stupid. Are you seening red yet??
Posted by: Deanna Butler | March 10, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
hope the good folks of SC see this idiot for the fool that he is. He continues the old republican tradition – take care of me first and I don’t give a damm about the rest of you. Typical!
Posted by: cjr | March 10, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
I have only 5 words that the governor of SC should remember as he consider running for highest office in the land in 2012. “Stanford, you are beyond Stupid.” How can you think of making powerful decisions for 50 states when you cannot make them for one state. You are beyond stupid. Are you seening red yet??
Posted by: Deanna Butler | March 10, 2009, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
Great I guess he knows best he is after all a member of the GOP They have had a run at fixing everything in our nation that smacks of pork and or aid to any of you all near do wells out there. You poor folk in SC can just go pound sand, you have this guy to show you how it should be done you do not need the governments slimy money.You Gov takes his information from a higher source…Rush Limbaugh. And he after all may someday run for President himself.needs to have drawn a line in the sand for that reason if no other. Doesn’t this make you proud you voted for this guy?
Posted by: Bonnie Kimberly | March 10, 2009, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
So, your thoughts are that everyone should just take money because it’s offered? Really? There are ALWAYS strings attached (and yes, there ARE strings in the stimulus, educate yourselves with some research).
Consider this example: YOu are offered a loan that is currently at a 0% interest rate, then moves up to 100% after 3 years…
Taking the hypothetical loan or the stimulus money are effectively the same – taking something now that you won’t be able to afford later.
Hmmmm, this sounds a lot like the current foreclosure crisis…
Posted by: Scoop | March 10, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
The money has strings attached which would end of costing the state more money
Posted by: jane Ryan | Mar 10, 2009 4:46:48 PM
________________________________________
wrong again!! that money would prevent the state from handing out more pink slips , they are slashing jobs to keep with the budgets. that means teachers, nurses , police officers ETC , any public servant.
plus it could have gotten new workers HIRE in the private sector , because they were building roads, bridges, schools , housing ETC.plus it helps in the safety net of unemployment , healthcare, foodstamps ETC.
So you need to run along with that weak talking point , it makes no sense.
Posted by: mark | March 10, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
This Governor believes that the 16th century was good and he is a rearview politican. SC has not gone forward. Under him and now he is running for President on failed policies and on the backs of the poor od SC .
Posted by: Samuel | March 10, 2009, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
It will be interesting in a few years when the loans come due and all the blind sheep are wondering what hit them. The sad part is…in a few years they will still be blind and believe whatever is told to them.
It’s too bad they don’t really care to educate themselves and will just continue the media mantra…baa, baa…
Posted by: Really, Really | March 10, 2009, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
How selfish these Republicans are. They are only interested in their political futures. The folks who elected them deserve them. Hopefully, more Red-neck states will decline the money. Their citizens apparently don’t need or deserve the money. Red-neck states get back more in federal “pork” than they pay in federal taxes, anyway. It’s about time the Red-neck states get off federal welfare and support themselves.
Posted by: Sammy | March 10, 2009, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
What will Sanford get — what is in the earmarks they are voting on today and what is the normal budget dollars given to South Carolina. Are they expanding their airport for the golfing crowd??
I see that Louisiana has about 3 separate earmarks they are getting.
Posted by: Paulet | March 10, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
“Posted by: Sammy | Mar 10, 2009 5:47:12 PM:
How selfish these Republicans are. They are only interested in their political futures. The folks who elected them deserve them. Hopefully, more Red-neck states will decline the money. Their citizens apparently don’t need or deserve the money. Red-neck states get back more in federal “pork” than they pay in federal taxes, anyway. It’s about time the Red-neck states get off federal welfare and support themselves.”
See, now here’s the funny-funny…the kind-hearted liberal all about human rights and baa, baa, baa…it’s not about Democrat or Republican…it’s about America and Americans.
If “We the People” don’t pay attention to what is happening around us (and I don’t mean by reading a few news articles), then “We the People” deserve what we get…
Educate yourselves…go to the source if at all possible…question everything…we will all be richer for it!!!
Posted by: Really, Really | March 10, 2009, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
all pomp and no circumstance…they will be taking the money..he is just grandstanding…my suggestion is to impeach the gov. of SC
Posted by: cowgirl | March 10, 2009, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
All of you are politically stupid and blind. The first thing these politicians and bureaucrats are going to do is rehire their buddies. Next they are going to higher a new bunch of buddies. Very few of the laid off will get their job back. Then they will use a bunch for their pet projects. Next, they will overpay more of their pals ( that they didn’t that give government jobs to)in lucrative contracts.
What’s left over will be passed to county and city politicians and it starts all over again. There might be 15-20 per cent left over to help the constituents.
That is how it always has and always will work. thus endeth this lesson.
Posted by: Ted Johnson | March 10, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
Sanford did the right thing. The Governors and the State Legislators are standing up to the encroachment of big Government should be saluted from those who are honored by their principled service, and desire to stand up to Washington’s attempt to bribe them with their own money, and restrict their personal rights. Bravo!
Posted by: hmn... | March 10, 2009, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
The stimulus package is loaded with tons of incentives to spend future tax revenues. It is sad that package has that much pork.
Obama’s promises were given on shallow terms.
Posted by: James | March 10, 2009, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
I truly hope Obama ignores him and gives the money allotted for SC to the Congressman who said he would do well with it in his district. This would serve Sanfords constituents correctly for letting that fool in office!!!
Posted by: milesbrown49 | March 10, 2009, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm
I feel terrible for the citizens of South Carolina. While they are losing their houses, life savings and jobs, their governor is playing political games. It is his version of “let them eat cake.”
Posted by: James | March 10, 2009, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
The two party system has its pros and cons, but the needs of Americans should come before posturing and politics. The strength of the States is the strength of America. Gov. shame on you. No bill is perfect, Pres. Bush had eight years to get us to this position…
Posted by: Gregory | March 10, 2009, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
A bunch of clowns putting people’s economic interest at risks to cuddle Limbaugh & his cohort of extremists.
Posted by: D. | Mar 10, 2009 4:48:28 PM
That’s a really nice post…so nice, let’s read it twice…
Posted by: t | March 10, 2009, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm
Sanford’s money and ideas come from a wealthy “sugar daddy” from New York. Not only does he not want the stimulus money for this state, he has continued to cut funds from public education. He is a product of private schools as are his children. Our shameful governor is doing everything he can to destroy our public schools and provide tax payer money to the private schools under the name “school choice.” What he neglects to mention is that private schools do not have to admit all students that apply. They CHOOSE who they want in their schools. This will lead to segregation in South Carolina’s schools.
Sanford is in his last term as governor bbut he is able to continue to do a great deal of damage in the time he has lleft. I like the idea of impeaching him.
Posted by: ally | March 10, 2009, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
I think impeachment is a fabulous idea. At first I was unsure that there would be legal grounds for impeaching, but whaddaya know — it’s right there in the statues plain as day:
Article 23, Section 41 (e). Any elected official who carefully analyzes something that might be popular, and then opposes that something because, in the particular circumstances, it would not serve the interests of the public, shall be impeachable at the time of the first utterance of it.
Note to Public Works Dept: Assemble crews to take down all signs bearing the name of Mark Sanford, Governor, and place them on red alert to begin the process at a moment’s notice.
Posted by: Terry Ott | March 10, 2009, 11:47 pm 11:47 pm
Impeach the b#@ta&d,Terry Ott is right on, he’s just another right wing unpatriotic,anti American limbaugh wanna be.What he is attempting to do is illegal and the fine folks in that state should demand his resignation right now or impeach him,we got rid of our idiot here in Illinois, it just isn’t that hard if you all get behind the press and your representatives and make demands. Try it,it really feels good, just ask the people in California. And I just can’t believe how many people are kowtowing to that morbidly obese ignoramus limbaugh.Folks,every thing he says is a lie and made up of snippets for shock value.That’s why that type of programming is called SHOCK RADIO.
Posted by: amazed | March 11, 2009, 1:03 am 1:03 am
Attn posters-those commentors who speak out against Sanford are Obama brownshirts(see politco for the story) sent on the march to discredit and badmouth anything any republican does-in order to keep Obama in the whitehouse and silence all voices of dissent-please research the bill on your own and find out the truth-the stimulus takes away state rights and ends up costing the states later in the forms of programs that are unsustainable in their funding. These bills they are passing are slave chains for everyone-get informed.
Posted by: ctay | March 11, 2009, 1:41 am 1:41 am
South Carolina is among several GOP led southern welfare queen states. They receive more money from the federal government than the people of their states pay in taxes. They are already getting their stimulus package.
Posted by: jsc | March 11, 2009, 1:54 am 1:54 am
nice job grandstanding repukelican pos trash.
Posted by: repulican = never | March 11, 2009, 3:12 am 3:12 am
As a former Republican, I can assuredly tell the whole world the GOP is a complete joke. This is pure politics and grandstanding. Obama better reject the waiver and actually strip SC of the money.
Posted by: Rob | March 11, 2009, 7:22 am 7:22 am
This SC Governor is NOT rejecting the stimulus package – he is stealing the money meant for his constituents and covering his own a*s. He is NOT being ‘fiscally’ responsible, he’s ACCEPTING the federal funds, and paying debts HE ran up and couldn’t pay for. Come ON ABC, report accurately.
Posted by: sevresblue | March 11, 2009, 8:16 am 8:16 am
Teddy Davis – who the heck is he? False headline, and totally inaccurate reporting – is this FOX News?
Posted by: sevresblue | March 11, 2009, 8:17 am 8:17 am
The headline should be “Standford places his own 2012 political ambitions above the welfare of the citizens of South Carolina.”
The only GOP principle is “party above country”.
Standford’s campaign motto should be “political ambition comes first”.
Posted by: Continuum | March 11, 2009, 8:27 am 8:27 am
Once Again Do For me First Republicans To Hell with the People! What a Sorry Party to Belong to!
Posted by: ANGIE IN PA | March 11, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
Did Sanford clear this with Boss Limbaugh, the Great Bloviator? Citizens of South Carolina can’t have things unless Boss Limbaugh okays it. I don’t understand why the citizens of South Carolina elected Boss Limbaugh to this position. I guess one deserves whomever or whatever one elects, right?
Posted by: Sammy | March 11, 2009, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
Sanford is a bad joke in SC. He can’t even get along with the Republican-controlled legislature. Sanford’s primary ambition (aside from becoming president) is to obtain tax-funded vouchers for religious public schools and to this end takes mucho $$ from Howard Rich in NY.
Sanford is really a Libertarian, not a Republican.
Posted by: garfield | March 11, 2009, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
How come Sanford does not send back the excess federal money that is spent in South Carolina every year? About $1.36 of federal money is spent in South Carolina for every $1.00 of federal taxes collected in South Carolina.
Posted by: Paul | March 11, 2009, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
“I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.”
This country’s slow but steady refute of said principle is what is driving us to ruin. Whether you can understand the philosophical abstraction or not, Sanford has done the right thing. He’s chosen life over death, good over evil. You should not be looking to the government for your livelihood.
Posted by: Ryan | March 11, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
I’m from South Carolina, and can attest that we revile Sanford. He does not represent our state in any way, shape or form. The SC legislature hates him, even his own party hates him. Thank God this is his second term in office and he can’t be elected again.
And no, we don’t deserve him because we voted for him — when he was voted in the first term it was against an unpopular governor who appeared foolish when he used State Troopers to block nuclear waste from coming into our state to make a political point.
Sanford seemed like the more sane choice, until he brought pigs into the State House to make his own point after the election. He’s only gotten worse since then. Sanford won the second election only because he didn’t have a viable contendor (the poor guy couldn’t even afford television ads), so basically he won by default.
The budget deficit in SC has forced our state government to cut jobs in every agency, sometimes up to 30%. That’s hundreds, maybe THOUSANDS of people who are now standing in the unemployment line because of this ridiculous joke of a man.
I blame Sanford because we need a leader in this state who can see a clear path towards fiscal health and steer our legislature towards revenue reform. Instead, we have an idiot who is so focused on the national stage that he’s forgotten his own people.
Sanford is just using this as a springboard to start his presidential campaign early, and has in effect abandoned the very people he swore to lead. He may talk a good game about fiscal responsibility, but after 8 years with him as governor SC is tied with California for the highest unemployment in the country. And it’s only going to get worse. How can he criticize the federal government when he doesn’t even know how to run his own state??
Posted by: Bailey | March 11, 2009, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
I am a lifelong resident of South Carolina and let me tell you…as soon as you cross the state line into our great state, you immediately know something is off. To say that there is a good portion of this state’s population who would gladly see 1)slavery brought back in full, 2) lynching made the state sport (after mediocre Gamecock football), and 3) SC secede from the “Union”. Sanford is the true representative of this state. You have to live here to fully understand it.
He has a nice house to live in, a good education (not much common sense however), and comes from a rich family but, like so many other GOPers, he doesn’t want anyone else to have anything. He and the other GOP governors all belong to the Good Ol Boys club of “us vs. them and we win”.
What Sanford is afraid of is that the poor and the minorities will benefit from the Stimulus and that’s what all Repubs are afraid of. He’ll take the money and run after getting as much political mileage out of this as possible. The guy’s a useless blowhard and an idiot.
Posted by: princess9681 | March 11, 2009, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
I wish my govenor would turn down the stimulus money. We are all heading for a world of hurt the way our government is spending our money like there is no tomorrow. I don’t see any attempt to cut spending. As far as I am concered both political parties are responsible for the mess we are in and I am tired of seeing all the figure pointing and the blame game that is going on right now. Obama and Congress don’t have a clue and those who think otherwise are just drinking the koolaid.
Posted by: Jaye | March 11, 2009, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
To Jaye: Do you know how silly you sound talking about koolaid??? It’s just another code word for I am a racist and I will not listen to anything Obama says or does no matter how good. Other code words used are; Obamanites, Liberals etc.
Posted by: milesbrown49 | March 11, 2009, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
Well, the unemployment rate in his state is now in double digits. I guess it’s easy to worry about the debt suddenly when it didn’t bother you before when it might help struggling people who can’t find work.
This appears to be all for show and may the people of South Carolina remember the governor’s priorities.
Posted by: mary | March 11, 2009, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
What are the “strings”? I keep hearing that but really, is that just more GOP spinning? The states are in serious trouble and the folks in South Carolina are going to want to know about the “strings attached” to the stimulus package. 700 million dollars is a large amount of money to pass on. And the DEFICIT SPENDING argument led us deeper into the Great Depression. But then again, those that refuse to fund education might not understand the value of LEARNING FROM HISTORY.
Posted by: underdog | March 12, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
Once again, another GOP (Greedy Obnoxious Pigeon) is on the loose. The people of SC are struggling and this fool has the nerve for not taking the money. Is he a d**n fool? I hope that SC impeach his a** QUICK!
Posted by: LadyCoolBreeze | March 12, 2009, 12:52 am 12:52 am
And that’s what the Republican Party is all about. They don’t give a d**n about nobody but their OWN, so-called, rich a**es!
Posted by: LadyCoolBreeze | March 12, 2009, 12:55 am 12:55 am
South Carolina is already at the pig trough of national government handouts. For every dollar they pay in taxes, they get back $1.35.
The only reason he is turning back the funds is for his own political wish to be president. He is putting his own career ahead of the welfare of his state, a state with 10% unemployment rate
Posted by: Darth Vader | March 12, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
My bad. I said that the unemployment rate of South Carolina was 10%. it was not. It was 10.4%. This governor does not want stimulus funds and he has that large of unemployment?
It can not be a matter of principal. It has never stopped him from taking federal money before. He gets 35% more than the state sends out in taxes.
Posted by: Darth Vader | March 12, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
I am a teacher and taxpayer and a Republican in South Carolina. We were told that each school in our school district could lose up to 8 teachers each. However, our Governor doesn’t care much about teachers–especially those of us who teach in the public schools. In addition, we found out that many state employees and troopers will lose their jobs too. Right now, I’m scared that I’ll lose my job. Then, I’ll be expecting unemployement compensation in a state that is already stuggling with a 10.4% unemployment rate. This governor is an elitest. I don’t see how he has a chance to be the President in 2012. I’m a Republican and I’ll vote for any Democrat that will run against Sanford.
Posted by: Sherry | April 1, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm