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Sanford says he won't resign as South Carolina governor
Gina Smith - McClatchy NewspapersIssue date: 6/25/09 Section: Real News
But Sanford allies like John Rainey, the state's chief economic adviser, who encouraged Sanford to run for governor in 2002, said he dined with Sanford Sunday and encouraged the governor to stay on.
"The state would lose momentum. A change in administration would take months to adjust to," Rainey said. "I said (to the governor), 'You must stay. It is your duty to stay.' "
Rainey said Sanford now must focus on job creation. South Carolina ranks third among states in unemployment with 266,000 jobless workers.
"We've got people underemployed and unemployed. We've got (food banks) with empty pantries," Rainey said. "We are in the vortex of an economic storm. Things are going to get worse before they get better. The state's success is tied to (Sanford's) success."
Republican Rep. Nikki Haley, a Sanford ally and gubernatorial candidate, also said Monday the governor should remain in office to try to build on such statewide reform efforts as on-the-record voting by lawmakers and the recruitment of businesses to the state.
A second Republican considering a gubernatorial run, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, said Monday it's up to the governor as to whether he should step down. Bauer also is considering a scenario in which he would serve as governor - but not run for office in 2010 - should Sanford decide to resign.
Bauer said his plan would limit the political posturing among Republican candidates who are jockeying behind the scenes to make the most of a possible resignation by the governor.
"It's sad that some people are putting politics before the people of S.C.," Bauer said. "Somebody has got to act like an adult."
Bauer said that if the governor were to resign and he took Sanford's place for the next 18 months, he would focus on job creation.
"It would (be) jobs, jobs and jobs," Bauer said. "I would be covering the world, encouraging companies to locate in South Carolina."
But some say it's Bauer who is working behind the scenes to take the governor down.
"The state would lose momentum. A change in administration would take months to adjust to," Rainey said. "I said (to the governor), 'You must stay. It is your duty to stay.' "
Rainey said Sanford now must focus on job creation. South Carolina ranks third among states in unemployment with 266,000 jobless workers.
"We've got people underemployed and unemployed. We've got (food banks) with empty pantries," Rainey said. "We are in the vortex of an economic storm. Things are going to get worse before they get better. The state's success is tied to (Sanford's) success."
Republican Rep. Nikki Haley, a Sanford ally and gubernatorial candidate, also said Monday the governor should remain in office to try to build on such statewide reform efforts as on-the-record voting by lawmakers and the recruitment of businesses to the state.
A second Republican considering a gubernatorial run, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, said Monday it's up to the governor as to whether he should step down. Bauer also is considering a scenario in which he would serve as governor - but not run for office in 2010 - should Sanford decide to resign.
Bauer said his plan would limit the political posturing among Republican candidates who are jockeying behind the scenes to make the most of a possible resignation by the governor.
"It's sad that some people are putting politics before the people of S.C.," Bauer said. "Somebody has got to act like an adult."
Bauer said that if the governor were to resign and he took Sanford's place for the next 18 months, he would focus on job creation.
"It would (be) jobs, jobs and jobs," Bauer said. "I would be covering the world, encouraging companies to locate in South Carolina."
But some say it's Bauer who is working behind the scenes to take the governor down.
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