WARNING: This subject will take a while so fix yourself a cup of coffee and get comfortable.
It is fairly rare that any issue causes GE&P as much inner conflict as does the fact that Mark Sanford has opted to throw his hat into the ring for the 1st District Congressional race. Having everybody and their grandmother file for the seat was bad enough. Judging from recent history, this herd will totally eviscerate one another during the primary and, consequently, give the Democrats more than enough ammunition for the general election. But, we digress.
Before we get to the point of our conflict, let us make a few facts perfectly clear. We have kept a very close eye on Mr. Sanford's career since he first went to Washington. In essence, we have agreed with all of his policies. Virtually without fail, his political positions have been grounded in solid Conservative principles. The few issues on which we had exception are hardly worth a mention.
During his time in Washington, Mr. Sanford understandably received resistance and endless criticism from the Liberal quarter, but he, also, received more than his share of flak from his fellow GOP members due to the fact that he chose not to "go along to get along". Sadly, this resulted in him being forced to sacrifice his effectiveness in order to maintain his principles. Unfortunately, toward the end of his tenure, Mr. Sanford was unjustly relegated to virtual political obscurity by his own party. Although he received much local criticism for this outcome, GE&P's admiration and respect for the man was only increased.
Mr. Sanford's years in the Governor's mansion reflected this same tenacity. He had a firm understanding of the issues that impacted South Carolina and he refused to "compromise" his Conservative principles. The wrath of the legislature came down on his head more times than once when, for example, Mr. Sanford chose to refuse "free money" from Washington. In the long run, Mr. Sanford was proven correct and his policies sound. All in all, Mr. Sanford was a voice in the wilderness for true Conservatism.
Then, like a bolt from the blue, the Sanford train went off the tracks. In retrospect, although we were profoundly, personally disappointed, Mr. Sanford's personal life should have been just that, personal. All of the controversial issues should have been between Mr. Sanford and his family. However, the scandal went beyond his personal life. There was the issue of him being AWOL from his elected position and this WAS and SHOULD HAVE BEEN of concern to the taxpayers. Even though this activity would have surely been career ending, we are confident that the majority of his supporters would have taken his emotional turmoil into consideration before making personal judgements.
But, just as all concluded that the situation had gotten as bad as it could get, it went from bad to worse and then to nightmare status. Regardless of whether the "damage control" strategy that followed the revelation of the scandal was devised by Mr. Sanford or by his "handlers", it was an unmitigated disaster. The Liberal news media was waiting just like a wake of buzzards and Mr. Sanford voluntarily offered up the carrion. Each and every night for what seemed like eternity, the evening news gleefully presented a new interview or press conference featuring Mr. Sanford revealing fresh and titillating information about his indiscretion. This mini-series became, literally, too painful to watch. Now, it would appear that we are condemned and sentenced to the sequel.
Few would disagree that the time frame surrounding this scandal was the most humiliating period in South Carolina's political history. One would think that at least one of "the many supporters who are urging Mr. Sanford to reenter the political stage" would have mentioned not the probability, but the inevitability, that the Liberal news media would certainly seize this opportunity, once again, to degrade and embarrass South Carolina and the GOP, should Mr. Sanford run for any office . To deliberately hand the media this kind of ammunition is beyond comprehension. Is there anyone out there with three brain cells to rub together who doesn't know the media will have a hay day if they are handed an opportunity of this magnitude?
This is the crux of our conundrum. We readily agree that Mr. Sanford has the political credentials and Conservative fiscal policies to satisfy the most right-wing voter among us, BUT, in the area of personal judgement, he is a train wreck. For him to be politically viable without repercussions to the people of South Carolina, he would have to step forward and offer for office in some parallel universe. Much more than the several years that have passed would be necessary for the stark memories of this scandal to have faded.
It is unfortunate and such a terrible waste that a man of such incredible talent and expertise should have put himself into the position of becoming so tainted and damaged. As painful as it is to acknowledge, Mr. Sanford is exhibiting the same poor and selfish judgement as he did when he took us along as unwilling tourists on his trip to Argentina. We sit here on the porch swing watching a three year old build a ramp for his Big Wheel. We know he is heading for a broken arm but the child is saying, "This time I'll really fly, Grandma." Correction: The people of SC are headed for the broken arm, again.
