“I Need To Get This Guy Out”

By fitsnews • on June 29, 2009

As our sources told us last week, S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has adopted a two-track approach to managing the drama that’s unfolding around Gov. Mark Sanford – who last week publicly admitted to deceiving his family, staff and the people of South Carolina by carrying on an affair with an Argentinian lover.

Track one? Bauer issues statements publicly supporting the governor and gives the impression that he does not want the governor to resign.

Track two? Bauer’s political operatives pull every lever at their disposal in an effort to force the governor from office.

For example, Bauer went on FOX News over the weekend telling former GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee that “no one wants to become governor like this.”

Of course at the same time, one of the Lt. Governor’s top advisors was caught sending out an email that took a decidedly different approach.

“I need to get this guy (Sanford) out,” reads the email from Chris LaCivita, the former “Swift Boat Veterans For Truth” strategist who is running Bauer’s gubernatorial bid.

LaCivita did not dispute the authenticity of the email in an interview with the New York Times.

“This is me professionally seeking information and sources from people I thought I could trust,” LaCivita told the paper. “This is completely outside the realm of what the lieutenant governor is doing, which is fulfilling his constitutional duties — something his opponents should follow his example on.”

Of course, LaCivita isn’t the only Bauer advisor working every lever at his disposal to force Sanford out.

S.C. blogger Jeffrey Sewell, who runs the website SC Hotline, and lobbyist Larry Marchant are both working the phones on Bauer’s behalf – reportedly employing a mix of threats and promises in an effort to isolate individuals whom they believe have influence with Sanford.

S.C. Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd is also heavily involved in that effort, sources tell FITS.

For the record, we stand by our founding editor’s assertion that the best thing that the governor can do is resign.

The reform movement in this state will certainly be hurt by such a move, but the governor has – in our opinion – forfeited the right to lead at this point.

Anyway, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how Bauer has handled this situation.

Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Comments

By Matt on June 29th, 2009 at 10:16 am

That same NYT article says that Glenn McCall is working to bring some county GOP’s on board to a Resign Sanford rally for later this week. Surprised me at first, but not really since McCall is an ally of Karen Floyd, and Karen Floyd’s firm is still paid by Andre Bauer.

By GTA on June 29th, 2009 at 10:40 am

If you read Karen Floyd’s statement on behalf of the Party, I think it is very clear that she is not pushing Andre and forcing Sanford to resign. Andre has always done whatever he pleases.

By The Conservativist on June 29th, 2009 at 10:40 am

Yeah, we’ve have noticed any reform related article is not being published on the Hotline recently. Whether it’s FITS or The Conservativist.

For whatever reason that may be…check out http://www.politicalvise.com

No censoring, just news feeds.

By Sam on June 29th, 2009 at 11:03 am

LaCivita is connected to Howard Rich.

Larry Marchant is connected to Howard Rich.

Randy Page is Howie’s front man.

Looks like Howie has moved on and Bauer is now his man and all his people are working hard for Andre Bauer.

Bauer will bear more fruit for Howie than Sanford as Bauer will cut any deal. The lack of character allows more freedom.

Poor Dems, they wanted to get rid of Sanford, now they get Howies newest edition to the team. Haha.

By PalmettoPride on June 29th, 2009 at 11:17 am

Matt and Sic- not sure what hunch punch y’all are sipping on, but this is the first time I have heard anything about Karen Floyd wanting Sanford to resign. It’s pretty clear that she does not want Sanford to resign.

By Regular Guy on June 29th, 2009 at 11:53 am

South Carolina is undoubtedly home to the most despicable political operatives in the nation. Sanford has obviously screwed up and I’m not defending him. However, these people are buzzing like flies on fresh poop.

Without going into details, Jeffrey Sewell is a borderline mental patient – he’s already called me trying to “sell” access to the “future” Governor Bauer.

These guys will be lucky if they don’t also end up with ethics problems.

By Earl Capps on June 29th, 2009 at 11:55 am

Ol’ Jeff does like to bluster and bully. Doesn’t work on most people though. Personally I find such approaches rather amusing.

By Henry on June 29th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

Does Karen Floyd want Sanford to go?

She did make over 100 thousand bucks off of Andre while he was in Lt. Gov’s office. With him in the Gov’s office the stakes would be much larger.

Anybody know where she stands?

By Darth on June 29th, 2009 at 12:38 pm

IF Sanford resigns, does that throw any incumbent advantage to Andre?

By Matt on June 29th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

Karen Floyd may not publically say she wants Sanford to resign–she can’t because she is party chair. But her top lieutenant is Glenn McCall and he surely does. Floyd and McCall are strong allies and the top two elected party officials in the SCGOP. While Floyd plays the more neutral role as chair McCall goes out and is apparently planning a rally to encourage Sanford to resign, according to the NYT.

If what Sam says is true then it looks like Howie Rich and Co. may not like Nikki Haley’s chances that much and have hitched themselves to Andre.

Interesting that we have yet to hear talk of how Rod Shealy fits into this unfolding drama, given that he is the consultant of record for Andre and Jakie, or at least he used to be.

By ts on June 29th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

None of the politicos can selflessly justify wanting Governor Sanford to stay in office. If they think they can tout some kind of stability/continuity of South Carolina platitudes, they are only fooling themselves and whoever believes their verbal garbage.

The Gov. is only trying to save face with his mistress and with those BEYOND the borders of South Carolina. If you want to be TRULY magnanimous, Henry McMaster, et. al. — tell your party-mate to get the heck out of there.

Get real, people!

By SCCON on June 29th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

“This is completely outside the realm of what the lieutenant governor is doing, which is fulfilling his constitutional duties — something his opponents should follow his example on.”

LaCivita is apparently giving Bauer grammar advice too.

By rick beltram on June 29th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

Guys:
As all of this political blustering goes on……our Economy worsens!
If the GOP does not do a good job in the next 16 months with job creation, the DEMS will enjoy the November 2010 election.
Let us look at whether Gov. Sanford can be effective with the “lack of trust” in the air! Probably not.
SC needs to come FIRST and all other agendas next. As I travel with my job….other states have landed some big job deals (KIA, VW, and Apple to name a few).

Rick Beltram

By Bonnie on June 29th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

OK, this begins to make sense. McCall takes the heat for Karen’s plan, and then their guy Andre is in office. And the money starts flowing again.

Wow…the games these insiders play. I wonder if they EVER consider what is best for the citizens?

By scgop on June 29th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

Who is Sewell connected with> the averageHouse or Senate members I know, a few in leadership, have no idea who he is. He is irrelevant. Marchant is too.