Must see: Mark Sanford carves up the stimulus
posted at 7:45 pm on February 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
Eleven minutes, but they pass quickly thanks to his soft-spoken style. No histrionics, just Grade A red-meat fiscal conservatism. This issue is his chance to make an impression on the base ahead of 2012 and he knows it. Consider it made. Especially given how enthusiastic governors like Charlie Crist seem to be about the plan.
Mark Hemingway’s been dialing up Republican governors around the country and asking them where they stand on the bill. So far, out of 12 responses, he’s got only two unequivocal no’s — Rick Perry and Sanford, who, politics being politics, still can’t quite bring himself to promise he’ll turn down money for South Carolina if the bill passes despite his opposition to it. Palin is a late-breaking third no vote: She’s out with a statement tonight clarifying her position by emphasizing that she opposes the current bill but supports a stimulus of some kind. Quote:
The governor has strongly supported funding for infrastructure that creates good American jobs and will have a positive effect on the nation for generations to come.
“It’s a given that a stimulus package is needed and will happen,” Palin said. “With guaranteed spending on the table, I am arguing for needed construction projects and tax breaks that will truly stimulate the economy and create jobs, and against increased federal programs that will become a state’s unfunded mandate to continue funding for generations.”
I can’t tell if Sanford agrees or not. Is he against new spending categorically or just the current mishmash? Click the image to watch.
Blowback
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Hey, Allah just to let you know that Sarah Palin released a statement today saying she is against the stimulus. She said she would definitely vote NO on it.
ousoonerfan15 on February 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
no governor will say to no to construction money for roads and bridges. A smart governor will say no to money designed to enrich and empower his parties enemies across the country.
rob verdi on February 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM
sorry I didnt even read the middle of your post. Thanks for clarifying Palin’s stance Allah.
ousoonerfan15 on February 3, 2009 at 7:50 PM
He’s not bad, and he sounds a lot like Bill Clinton.
chunderroad on February 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM
No! The country was made great by enslaving or killing indigenous populations!
/
God that’s easy. I could have had a promising career as a university professor or journalist.
TheUnrepentantGeek on February 3, 2009 at 7:52 PM
He’s excellent.
therightwinger on February 3, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Palin, since the beginning, wanted the transportation/infrastructure part of the “stimulus” to be decoupled from the rest of the pork
Thanks Allah for posting on it
joey24007 on February 3, 2009 at 7:59 PM
I am soooo tempted to move back to SC and get away from the loons here in NC. GAH! All hail Mark Sanford!
SouthernGent on February 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
He’s smart, he speaks plainly and clearly. He’s what the GOP should want out front, telling their message. Great interview, great clip.
LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 8:01 PM
So it looks like we are back to the ‘Big 3” who argued against the stimulus at the Governor’s Assoc. meeting
Perry
Palin
Sanford
joey24007 on February 3, 2009 at 8:02 PM
Tell. me. about. it! He makes me miss my 20 years living in Columbia. Now I’m stuck up here with this NC government that sucks compared to him and DeMint. Announced today, $3 billion shortage in the budget — good job, Mr. Easley.
LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Better go with the Governor of Florida.
All jobs lost wasting time is on the gop.
Many more are coming.
getalife on February 3, 2009 at 8:05 PM
those 3 are the only 3 that have a clue on whats going on. Frankly I am quite disapointed with Jindal on this.
ousoonerfan15 on February 3, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Where are you in Raleigh, LastRick? I’m in Raleigh by way of Columbia myself! If you play tennis we should definitely meet and play!
SouthernGent on February 3, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Yep. When Allah put up that initial post I thought he was nuts. She had previously said that she didn’t want any pork.
Dritanian on February 3, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Election years are so bittersweet. I know it’ll be 1,446 more days until we could get a new president, but I simply miss Republican’s having a forum to discuss issues that is watched by the general public. If Sanford were to use this common sense conservatism in a highly watched debate, he would ignite a passion in America that died with Reagan.
Another thing that’s refreshing… in last years primary, we had a half dozen people arguing why they were the next Reagan. The real Reagan didn’t do what he did because he wanted to be “Reagan”, he did it because he believed it was the right thing to do. I believe Mark Sanford truly believes in what he is saying. And that, if nothing else, is refreshing in a politician.
Micheal on February 3, 2009 at 8:08 PM
FINALLY< someone telling the politicians how freaking stupid they are. When does enough become enough?
volsense on February 3, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Dems got the majority , no one stops them owning the Nude Deal 2 ( The greater depression ) all by themselves.
the_nile on February 3, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Thanks for clarifying Palin’s stance, Allah.
hockey2k5 on February 3, 2009 at 8:09 PM
And look…no teleprompter.
KelliD on February 3, 2009 at 8:09 PM
North Carolina is a very strange state. I enjoy SC much more. More conservative. :-)
therightwinger on February 3, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Gov. Crist is more disappointing by the minute. Mark Levin was playing a quote from Ms. Pelosi saying that every month that a stimulus plan is not passed 500 million people lose their jobs. I don’t think it is a recent statement but it’s still funny.
Cindy Munford on February 3, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Did you see Obama with Chris Wallace earlier tonight?
wow … and they have the nerve to talk about George Bush!
joey24007 on February 3, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Allah, thanks for setting the record straight on Palin. You’re a good guy.
The Palinistas don’t mind criticism of her so long as the criticism is fair.
Jim62sch on February 3, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Sanford won’t win in 2012, he isn’t black enough.
Bishop on February 3, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Thanks for staying.
Cindy Munford on February 3, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Clearly, I enjoy SC more, for many reasons (tops among them: mustard-based BBQ).
I guess, at one point, NC was fairly conservative but since I’ve been here in Raleigh since 1997, I haven’t felt this. The white-collar research in the Triangle, the universities, RTP, poor urban Durham, mixes it all up. I see it all, from Daily Kos T-shirts at NC State to solid conservatives here in Garner.
On the other hand, in SC we had a saying: even the Democrats are Republicans. Almost libertarian-esque in South Carolina, self-reliant, hard-working blue collar people.
LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Name a job in the Stimulate Democrats Bill. Beekeeper? Condom dispenser? Dog lisperer?
Meanwhile in Florida, Crist is contemplating a Senate run, and people are camping out for days in Miami for a job at the fire department.
chunderroad on February 3, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Heh – yeah, I had read over at Conservatives for Palin that Allah had set the record straight, so I decided to get over my hissy fit.
Jim62sch on February 3, 2009 at 8:25 PM
SP was smart to release this letter. I think she was fully aware that the MSM is now trying to drive a wedge between her and her thousands of supporters by falsely claiming that Sarah is a RINO; claiming that she is an idiot and moron will no longer work. Forming a PAC also made Sarah a player in 2012.
technopeasant on February 3, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Any way to get Sanford to move to NJ?
Mr. Bingley on February 3, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Yeah, and Palin seems willing to go after RINOs, too – she endorsed Rick Perry over Kay Bailey Hutchison for the Texas gubernatorial primary. The Perry campaign was thrilled. Kay is a RINO of the first degree – she was blabbing on Meet the Press last Sunday how Tom Daschle was a good friend of hers.
Jim62sch on February 3, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Shut yer hole, douche bag..
BigWyo on February 3, 2009 at 8:29 PM
I’m falling asleep listening to Sanford.
It’s great he’s against the stimulus and he is a fiscal conservative.
And thank you Allah for posting Palin’s true position on the stimulus days after she already said she was against the porkulus.
Palin, Perry, and Sanford sent a letter to legislators warning about the harmful repercussions of voting for this bill several weeks ago.
jencab on February 3, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Good man, we would have missed you. Isn’t it funny how different people read things different ways, I never consider Allah’s posts about Gov. Palin as a sign of disrespect or dislike.
Cindy Munford on February 3, 2009 at 8:32 PM
I wish!
joey24007 on February 3, 2009 at 8:32 PM
The smooth tones of a Southern Gentleman…nothing sweeter to this Carolina girl’s ears. Especially when he’s talking like this.
KelliD on February 3, 2009 at 8:33 PM
What was that you were saying?
canditaylor68 on February 3, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Don’t need the tums to read a post by AP anymore here. :)
DaveC on February 3, 2009 at 8:39 PM
As they showed when they got it past the House, they don’t need GOP votes in favor of it.
They’ve already got the majority needed to pass it in the Senate (assuming all Dem Senators will vote in favor). The GOP is not threatening a filibuster, so they don’t need 60….just the simple majority (I believe – please correct me if I’m wrong).
In other words, this can be passed whenever the Democrat majority decides to vote on it. Any delays are only because they want Republicans on the hook for it too since they don’t actually need any Republican votes to pass.
I see it two possible ways – the Dems think it will work but they are delaying ‘just in case’ or they don’t think it will work in which case they shouldn’t be trying to pass it. Either way, this is on them. The Republicans have proposed alternatives that were not even considered so it’s not as if you can even accuse them of criticizing without helping.
JadeNYU on February 3, 2009 at 8:40 PM
“Well Intentioned”
———————-
“Even Sarah Palin have said they want this money to be put into their State Treasury”!
I find that statement hard to believe!
———————————
———————————
Why hasn’t Obama,laid off Government workers,its a crisis
atmosphere that the Liberal Party are constantly engaged
in,continually scaring the h#ll out of Americans!
So,far,its been,a month or so,since the 700 Billion dollar
bailout,and,its still the same Liberal talkin points,and
so far,the Libs have done ‘Sweet F/A’!
canopfor on February 3, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Nice. I wish he was running California.
PersonalLiberty on February 3, 2009 at 8:41 PM
There’s gotta be more than meets the eye here…..What’s the deal? Gotta be some kind of downside here…
This fellow is very good! I honestly didn’t know who he was, or his political affiliation at first…wasn’t 100% sure even after it was over. Had to go look him up. Hell, listening to him you say ‘pure conservative’…but listen to some one like Zell Miller…and then find out he was a Democrat.
How about a Palin/Sanford thing happening…
BigWyo on February 3, 2009 at 8:41 PM
And that’s why I expect the Bill to get a major overhaul. The DEMs don’t want to get tagged by this because they know that the more Americans learn about it the more they see it as a Pork Bill.
Red State State of Mind on February 3, 2009 at 8:44 PM
meeee-oowwwww
Mr. Bingley on February 3, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Even the Blue Dogs were not allowed to participate in Porkulus, it was all written by the Kos Caucus.
Jim62sch on February 3, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Oh I get it,
theres bailout money,
but,only Republican
Governors want it!
—————–
Liberals,exactly what is the grand strategy,blaming the
right,greedy Republican Governors,because I think,even
the Liberal Party,has this so screwed up,
that the Left,are beside themselves,in SNAFU Mode!
What is the Perception in your Deception,that your
try’n to do?
canopfor on February 3, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Later this week, Gov Bobby will probally release a letter like Sarah did today saying he is against this disgusting Pork bill. If he does not, that will say Bobby is not planning on running for president in 2012. We will know by later this week, if Bobby is running or not.
BroncosRock on February 3, 2009 at 8:53 PM
This post by Mark Hemingway at The Corner contains a good rundown of governors’ positions on the bill. 4 GOP governors are begging to be injected with the pork…Governator, Rell, Crist, and Douglas.
Jim62sch on February 3, 2009 at 8:53 PM
It’s really a waste of time and thought to spend more than a line on this door knob.
Observe:
Just short enough to fall within the bone head’s attention span, and you can do it in 10 seconds with out thinking about it. Plus, it usually goes away.
BigWyo on February 3, 2009 at 8:54 PM
It will “work” to the extent that it puts money in the pockets of people who already would have voted Democratic because there’s no question that some people will be getting paid if the bill passes and some make-work jobs will be created. But, those people already would vote Democratic anyway, so there’s no political gain and the rest of the country will still be stuck in a recession of epic proportions because the stimulus won’t cause the overall economy to grow, which is where the Republicans can make gains among Independent voters in 2010 by saying they didn’t vote for it and that it was a jobs program only if your idea of a job is ACORN activist, which is not most people’s idea of a job.
I found out yesterday from a Heritage Foundation analysis how much my extra tax bill will be if this passes and, although it wasn’t pretty, it’s almost worth it because I think if this passes it will sour people on Democrats for a generation, it’s just that wasteful and will be that ineffective.
venividivici on February 3, 2009 at 8:57 PM
This governor should be the President. Oh, my God Obama is going to run our economy into the ground. Everyone DONT PAAAAANIIIICCC!!1111
Dr. Manhattan on February 3, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Sanford can’t win, unless after Obama America wants something plain and boring sounding suddenly. Would be a good VP though
jp on February 3, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Like I said in the last thread about Sarah Palin, conservatives aren’t objecting to the infrastructure spending we are objecting to all the pork for non-infrastructure liberal pet projects and welfare that don’t and won’t create jobs. All those liberal pet spending proposals make up about 85-90% of what is in the bill. Pare out the waste add tax cuts for business and capital gains and conservatives will get right on board.
goat on February 3, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Has anyone made a list of the companies that are asking for government bailouts? I will not spend one freaking dime with any of them. If they want to accept the money and the associated ‘oversight’ that comes with government money, then I reject them outright.
daesleeper on February 3, 2009 at 9:20 PM
I was kinda put off when he didn’t mention how we were “Gonna use the Sun, the Wind, and the Dirt to power out factories, cars..blah…blah…Change We Can Believe In!!!’
Just can’t get enough of that for my money.
BigWyo on February 3, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Ummm…pretty much ALL of them….including the kid who mows yer lawn…
Good luck with that….
BigWyo on February 3, 2009 at 9:23 PM
I think he needs a little queer eye for the straight guy and and shot of charisma..
then he’s ready for POTUS
joepub on February 3, 2009 at 9:23 PM
I have seen this were so called conservative govenors
want to criticize the so called condom stimulating bill
But also just in case they want a piece of the pie..
They are making a huge error in judgment
Because out of this so called stimul bill
only about 10% will actually go towards any real construction
the rest is a gigantic payoff for all the liberal wakos
who have ever lived..
I am sorry but have some balls and just state the facts..
When you get the stimul bill too ohh say
even 50% of actual real construction projects
and spell them out in the bill
maybe just maybe i might look at it..
But not until then
period..
jcila on February 3, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Proud to be a 25 year South Carolinian transplant from California…but still can’t stand the BBQ! :-)
Ironically, Sanford is considered by many in the state to be a bit liberal!!
LEBA on February 3, 2009 at 9:33 PM
America spent $217 Billion in 1998 for road construction.
Again in 2004 they approved $284 Billion for road construction
which is funded until 2010.
Now these roads and bridges are crumbling?
They have not even spent the money from 2004
and we need more?
Obama wants money to throw at the unions so guys
can dig trenches.
We do need to take a deep breathe and tell the government
to take a hike during these Obamanation years.
izoneguy on February 3, 2009 at 9:34 PM
How “Journalism” Works, blogging edition:
Day 1: Headline, “Palin Supports Stimulus,” (I think, details to be provided)
Day 5: addendum to a piece about someone else: “er, scratch that, she opposes it.”
The hit is made in the headlines, the pretense to fairness salvaged in the fine print a few days later.
james23 on February 3, 2009 at 9:34 PM
izoneguy on February 3, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Seems like they passed another highway bill in ’07 for 290 bil,I guess it went to bike paths or something.
goat on February 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM
This conservative objects to all spending in the name of “stimulus.” Taking money from people, in the form of taxes, is going to dampen the economy, not jump start it.
For stimulus, think tax cuts. Its quick and proven.
It may be that some infrastructure spending is needed, but it should wait until we are past the worst part of the recession. And don’t pass it off as stimulus.
james23 on February 3, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Sanford/Palin or Palin/Sanford 2012!
Also…
The only thing Charlie is enthusiastic about is the view every time he looks in the mirror! If he spent more time working for the people of FL than his political future, we might actually move through this recession with relative ease.
GrayDog on February 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM
james23 on February 3, 2009 at 9:42 PM
It really depends on where that infrastructure/defense spending is directed, combined with across the board tax cuts. From what I saw looking through the bill there is about 100 bil in worthy spending and the rest is pure stinking rancid lard.
goat on February 3, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Did i slip into a black hole and pop into another universe?
A politician who makes sense? A guy who isn’t pandering for votes? Someone who can say the word principle without stifling a guffaw?
If this one clip is the real Mark Sanford, there is at least a glimmer of hope for the country.
But he better keep his head down. The nutters will be looking to tear his limbs off soon.
notagool on February 3, 2009 at 9:58 PM
We are lucky here in s.c. to have Gov. Sanford and Sen DeMint.Now if we could just find a way to get rid of little Linsey Graham any takers please anybody we,ll even add a few bucks.
thmcbb on February 3, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Bottom line: Gov. Sanford recognizes that this is a spending bill unlikely to stimulate anything more than unsustainable debt.
He is so sensible and even-tempered. Sanford’s advice about taking a deep breath and examining the situation before leaping into solutions that only exacerbate a problem is the type of adult leadership that the country craves right now. American states and municipalities need more of this type of fiscal responsibility.
onlineanalyst on February 3, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Mr. Sanford puts it about as eloquently as anyone could. ‘I’m totally against this crap and here’s why.’ No hollering, no real attacks.
But in all reality. What Governor(Dem or Rep) would take this stance:
Ok, the Feds are going to pump out a giant Cash Wrinkle Neck in a time when my state could use some real help. It’s gonna come no matter how much I oppose it. We’re not taking any of it, and they can’t make us. Counting on your vote.’
Fine line to boogie to here….
It would be wonderful if they all took this stance…not going to happen.
BigWyo on February 3, 2009 at 10:40 PM
If President Obama wanted to gurantee his re-election in 2012, he would follow Sanford’s advice and cut the payroll tax. Then he would cut the corporate tax rate to somewhere south of Ireland’s, along with cutting capital gains taxes.
Of course, President Obama will never do this, because he believes the omniscient federal government knows how to spend your money better than you do.
sdun1 on February 3, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Isn’t it interesting Allah, that after Palin comes out with a NO, you’d bury that half down the other post promoting Sanford, qualify that with the decidedly off-putting”late-breaking”, and offer no hint of remorse that you earlier misstated her position quite gratuitously?
When you thought Palin was for the stimulus, you had to rub it in our faces with a gleeful “et tu sarah” and “ultimate heartbreak” and a post full of self-martyrdom (those damn Palin cultists, they make you shake when you write anything about Palin). Your misrepresentation was then picked up by Christian Science Monitor and possibly other media outlets and if it had not been checked by the “cultists”, would have done enormous disservice to the Gov.
I may be nitpicking here but this is the way you’ve taking dishonest swipes at Palin this way for a long time now. and if anybody defends her record, they are cultists and you are filtering the true conservatives from the cultists.
I hope you understand now, if you didn’t earlier, what it was that drove us mad. Next time you swipe/smear Palin, don’t accuse us of cultism if we have to defend her. The only one with sub-rational behavior is you.
promachus on February 3, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Cut payroll and corporate business tax enough and the recession will be over, almost overnight. Too bad enough lawmakers didn’t take Business 101 during their college years, maybe things would be a lot different.
DL13 on February 4, 2009 at 12:26 AM
So far, he’s the only politician I’ve heard so far that used the ‘M’word (morals) when referring to this porkfest. Encouraging.
c3ichief on February 4, 2009 at 12:54 AM
Hey, BigWyo — quiet down. You’re giving us conservative Wyomingites a name for knee-jerk reactionary-ism.
That said: You may be new to Sanford, but welcome: he’s the real deal.
Cipherprime on February 4, 2009 at 1:23 AM
That needs something that convinces people that it won’t just be used towards H1/L1 job creation – but for full citizen job creation.
That’s unlikely to happen from Sanford, the guy who would sell his citizenship like he has his state (and sent SC’s citizens down the river).
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 5:39 AM
He panders for interests outside of this country, see how the state has been an economic horai. He panders, just not to citizens.
His obstructionism will make him a prime target – and I hope he does leave limbless – he’s already given his spine to the folks of the Far East.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 5:45 AM
Fixed.
sethstorm on February 4, 2009 at 5:55 AM
Well, I think we TRUE conservatives have to add Mark Sanford to our hero list.
Mercy4Me on February 4, 2009 at 7:58 AM
Mark Sanford = Ratiocination
hoi polloi on February 4, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Allah, thanks for finally setting the record straight on Palin, but I find it mildly amusing that decide to bury it in a post about Sanford. (No screaming “Ultimate Heart-ache, or “et tu, ‘Cuda” -like announcemnet, I guess those are reserved for whenever Allah wants to peddle unsubstantiated negative rumors about Palin)
Also quite amusing that a post about Sanford, like I predicted, only generates 1/10 or less of comments than those on Palin. Tells you who people are enthusiastic about, and it’s not Mark Sanford.
Mark Sanford is OK on policy, but unfortunately he has the charisma of a plank of wood and will probably never be POTUS material. Just imho.
I think Jindal also has shot his chances by not coming out against the Stimulus in more definite terms.
Norwegian on February 4, 2009 at 12:11 PM
I agree: Me likes! Palin/Sanford 2012! I think she needs to top the ticket: She’s got the “It” factor. People can’t get enough of her. And while I don’t need convincing that she is more than up to the job of POTUS, a gentleman like Sanford as her VP might give the appearance of adding some “gravitasse,” a favorite buzzword of the MSM during the 2000 election. Not that she needs it, but if it will shut up her detractors, so much the better.
NoLeftTurn on February 4, 2009 at 6:14 PM