Mark Sanford

[big bad fab]

I think I've missed something since last year:

Why hasn't Mark Sanford considered entering the primary race ?
Why hasn't he been regarded as a top-tier (even a second-tier) possible running mate ?

Is this a mystery like Mark Warner's "familial" reasons ?

I'm not especially a fan of Mark Sanford, I just want to understand....
and to understand for the past and also with 2012 in sight.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Sanford hasn't accomplished much in his six years as governor, despite having a Republican General Assembly.  That's largely because he's been more interested in being a libertarian Don Quixote than making compromises to accomplish anything.  That libertarian tilting has attracted some interest, but its not enough to win a Republican presidential nomination, and he was smart enough to realize it.

He was regarded as a possible running mate, but the strengths he could have brought largely overlapped those that McCain himself possessed and that Palin reinforced, but unlike Palin, he certainly has no wow factor.

Sanford may end up being a cabinet secretary in a future Republican administration, but he's basically done running for elective office for now.  He's term limited as governor, and running for any other office would require him to run against a Republican incumbent in a primary battle.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

He really doesn't seem to have many aspirations for higher office. He campaigned in 2006 by calling it his last, and he never really seemed interested in running for President or being the VP for McCain. I think he just wants to remain in South Carolina and enjoy his life there. He has two small children whom he's very involved with. I think he's pleased with where he is. I doubt he'll ever run for President or the Senate. If he did, I would support him. I've met him several times (he used to frequently stop by my high school when I was a student there) and he's a great guy.

[big bad fab]

Always a pleasure to learn from atlasians.
Thanks, guys.

[big bad fab]

He really doesn't seem to have many aspirations for higher office. He campaigned in 2006 by calling it his last, and he never really seemed interested in running for President or being the VP for McCain. I think he just wants to remain in South Carolina and enjoy his life there. He has two small children whom he's very involved with. I think he's pleased with where he is. I doubt he'll ever run for President or the Senate. If he did, I would support him. I've met him several times (he used to frequently stop by my high school when I was a student there) and he's a great guy.

BUMP

Mmmm...
Would we say the same today ?

Sanford seems to be a bit up in presidential expectations, especially if Jindal says the truth and concentrates on 2016 or 2020.

[paul718]

While being the named Chairman of the RGA has raised his profile somewhat, his freeze-up on CNN when questioned about the economic differences between McCain and Bush was scary.  I think he could easily be painted as a simpleton. 

[big bad fab]

I think I must listen to him a bit more.... Just to be as aware as you are of his dullness.
Thanks for your views.

[Applezz]

I predict Sanford will win the 2012 Republican nomination. He can bring the party into a new direction.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I predict Sanford will win the 2012 Republican nomination. He can bring the party into a new direction.

Not new at all, just not seen for a while:



Can you say 1964, children?

Rhinoceros

Good, I knew you could.

[pbrower2a]

I predict Sanford will win the 2012 Republican nomination. He can bring the party into a new direction.

Not new at all, just not seen for a while:



Can you say 1964, children?

Rhinoceros

Good, I knew you could.

Sanford would not win Arizona. He might win Arkansas or Tennessee, though.

His resistance to Obama's stimulus package makes Obama look good by contrast, at least according to a recent poll -- in SC. That does not mean "southern California".

[justfollowingtheelections]

Sanford will probably lose in his own state after his recent behavior.

[Smash255]

Sanford will probably lose in his own state after his recent behavior.

Running for President while turning a blind eye to your state which has the 2nd highest unemployment rate in the country is not the best way to get elected...