Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) issues no Republican endorsement; praises Barack Obama

[Joe Republic]

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[Ben.]

Always liked Sanford, thought it was a shame he didn't run this year to be honest... but with this he's doing two things, firstly (and most obviously) he's probably airing his own view on the race and secondly he's positioning himself within his own state, saying nice things about Obama (while not supporting him) is probably a smart move for a South Carolina Governor already secure with his base.

[Gustaf]

Is this an attack on McCain? Or is is simply that he thinks it's best for South Carolina to not inflame the race issue by endorsing a non-black candidate in an important primary?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Interesting. I would've guessed he would endorse McCain, but I guess race does play a part.

[TomC]

Does Sanford have any sway with Democrats?

[Verily]

Does Sanford have any sway with Democrats?

He is popular, but I doubt he holds any serious sway over Democrats anyway. I am most surprised by the lack of McCain endorsement.

[Speed of Sound]

Does Sanford have any sway with Democrats?

No, but I dont think that really matters here. Theres no party registration in SC, so Indies and leaning Reps could be swayed easy.

[Verily]

Does Sanford have any sway with Democrats?

No, but I dont think that really matters here. Theres no party registration in SC, so Indies and leaning Reps could be swayed easy.

Maybe, but SC will be competitive on the GOP side, too (though if the GOP candidates go negative, some disaffecteds could vote for Obama).

[Erc]

Both sides have open primaries (I think), and they're held a week apart.

Is there anything preventing people from voting in both?

[classical liberal]

hooray for white guilt!!!

[Keystone Phil]

Hmmm...the Republican Governor telling voters that they should seriously think about Obama. Think this was a set up to help Hillary? 

[MarkWarner08]

Looks like Pawlenty, not Sanford, will be the GOP's VP nominee. Poor Mark Sanford may have cost himself a shot at the Presidency in 2012.

[Keystone Phil]

Looks like Pawlenty, not Sanford, will be the GOP's VP nominee. Poor Mark Sanford may have cost himself a shot at the Presidency in 2012.

I prefer Pawlenty. A McCain-Pawlenty ticket would be a dream come true.

[Verily]

Both sides have open primaries (I think), and they're held a week apart.

Is there anything preventing people from voting in both?

No; it's a unique situation (and I had forgotten that in my previous post).

[MarkWarner08]

Looks like Pawlenty, not Sanford, will be the GOP's VP nominee. Poor Mark Sanford may have cost himself a shot at the Presidency in 2012.

I prefer Pawlenty. A McCain-Pawlenty ticket would be a dream come true.

If McCain wins Michigan and SC, which I now think is quite likely, it is quite likely your dream will soon come to fruition. Sadly, my dream ticket of Charles Schumer and Rahm Emmanuel will probably never happen.

[Keystone Phil]

Sadly, my dream ticket of Charles Schumer and Rahm Emmanuel will probably never happen.

Yeah, sadly. The GOP feels the same. You must admit that Schumer and Emmanuel aren't appealing.

[MarkWarner08]

Sadly, my dream ticket of Charles Schumer and Rahm Emmanuel will probably never happen.

Yeah, sadly. The GOP feels the same. You must admit that Schumer and Emmanuel aren't appealing.

While Rahm Emanuel may not be electorally "appealing," he'll have plenty of power as the next Speaker of the House.

[Verily]

Sadly, my dream ticket of Charles Schumer and Rahm Emmanuel will probably never happen.

Yeah, sadly. The GOP feels the same. You must admit that Schumer and Emmanuel aren't appealing.

While Rahm Emanuel may not be electorally "appealing," he'll have plenty of power as the next Speaker of the House.

A bit soon to be calling Pelosi's downfall, isn't it?

[MarkWarner08]

Sadly, my dream ticket of Charles Schumer and Rahm Emmanuel will probably never happen.

Yeah, sadly. The GOP feels the same. You must admit that Schumer and Emmanuel aren't appealing.

While Rahm Emanuel may not be electorally "appealing," he'll have plenty of power as the next Speaker of the House.

A bit soon to be calling Pelosi's downfall, isn't it?

By "next," I mean after she retires, of course. Unlike Harry Reid, she's still quite popular within her caucus. Since the rest of the Congressional Democratic leadership is over 65, Emanuel stands a strong chance of being the next Speaker of the House.

[Adlai Stevenson]

I've thought that the best way Obama could unify the country behind him would be picking a Republican for Vice President - well what about Sanford?  Its probably unlikely that he would accept because Obama is running against a Republican after all - but still. 

[MarkWarner08]

I've thought that the best way Obama could unify the country behind him would be picking a Republican for Vice President - well what about Sanford?  Its probably unlikely that he would accept because Obama is running against a Republican after all - but still. 

How about Jim Webb? He's been a Republican for most of his life.