As much as we hate to admit it, S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has once again surprised us with a bold, brilliant political move.
By taking his name out of the running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 2010 (should S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford resign), Bauer has effectively positioned himself as the one person in this whole saga who is actually looking out for the people of South Carolina. In the process, he’s made his would-be political opponents in 2010 look like opportunistic hacks who care only about their personal political futures.
Is Bauer for real? Sources close to the Lt. Governor say “absolutely.” Is he sincere in his intent? We highly doubt it.
Of course, Bauer’s sincerity (or lack thereof) doesn’t change the fact that his announcement puts him in the enviable position of being perceived as politically pure – thus eroding some of the ground beneath Sanford’s feet.
How so?
Well, since admitting to an extramarital affair last week, Sanford has reportedly been propped up by a shaky alliance of his staunchest political allies and the empire of Richard Quinn and Associates, which manages the political destiny of S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster.
McMaster, for reasons surpassing understanding, is also widely viewed as a 2010 gubernatorial prospect.
Not wanting Bauer to gain a foothold in the Governor’s Office prior to the 2010 election, McMaster and the rest of the Quinn stable of clients have been downplaying talk of investigations and calls for Sanford to step down. Particularly vocal in that process has been U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, arguably Quinn’s most influential client.
With Bauer now removing himself from the 2010 picture (again, should Sanford step down), does Quinn remove that prop that’s been helping hold the governor up?
If it does, Sanford could be in real trouble.
Of course, as brilliant as Bauer’s latest move is, his political team has been decidedly less-than-stealth in executing its strategy up to this point. They have also alienated some powerful potential allies with ill-advised and downright dumb tactics aimed at inducing a particular response.
So how will Bauer’s latest move play out?
Assuming his team can keep from coughing up the ball, it could be one of the smartest political decisions we’ve seen in some time.
By Jeffy June 30, 2009 at 9:48 am
You don’t have to like the way he drove two times a few years ago haters. But we have to admit, he continues to surprise us all. He plays the game as good as anyone. Good for him.
By Susan Brown June 30, 2009 at 10:06 am
Knowing Bauer since he was in high school, I can say this is truly a briliant young man that sincerely cares about the people of South Carolina. Sceptical as we are of every move of a politician, his “Bold Move” may be an insincere political move concerning the next election, however having worked as a volunteer in his office I know first hand of his work in trying to get help for the Senior Citizens in our state. Every call for assistance gets immediate attention and help is given in some way.Perhaps it is possible to have a caring politician ??
By Toyota Kawaski June 30, 2009 at 10:06 am
once again fits has no dam clue Baure will stay in the race even if he gets an 18 month test drive.
By Toyota Kawaski June 30, 2009 at 10:07 am
thats Bauer
By TJ June 30, 2009 at 10:09 am
What would Bauer do after the term ended?
By w June 30, 2009 at 10:10 am
Andre is a dumbass.
http://www.thestate.com/opinion/story/846650.html
THE PEOPLE CALLING for Gov. Mark Sanford’s resignation — from The New York Times to state Sen. Jake Knotts — either want to ensure that Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer wins the 2010 gubernatorial election or else haven’t thought through the effect this could have on the outcome of that crucial race.
Reasonable people can disagree over whether it would be better to have Mr. Sanford or Mr. Bauer in the governor’s office for the next 18 months. And if Mr. Bauer were not running for governor, this might be a more difficult call. But Mr. Bauer is running for governor, and it simply is not responsible to overlook the tremendous advantage he would have if he were able to use the bully pulpit of that office for the next year.
The idea of handing any candidate such a huge advantage is particularly dangerous right now, given the importance of next year’s elections. Our state has deep problems, and we have spent six and a half years treading water rather than solving them. (The Legislature shares blame for this, but that’s neither here nor there.) It’s hard to remember a time when our state has been in more desperate need of strong, focused leadership, to set us to building a stronger economy and a better-educated citizenry. Although this could change in the coming year, to this point Mr. Bauer simply has not demonstrated that he has the vision to lead our state.
Nor is it responsible to overlook what we know about Mr. Bauer as a person. Mr. Sanford acted in a grossly irresponsible way for one week. Mr. Bauer’s fits of irresponsibility and self-dealing have been a hallmark of his tenure: He intimidated the Transportation Department into paying him more than double its original offer for a sliver of land to widen a highway, and then “forgot” to report that sale as required by law. He barreled down Columbia’s Assembly Street at speeds up to 60 mph, running two red lights and so startling a police officer that he felt the need to pull a gun on Mr. Bauer. He used a police radio to try to call off troopers when he was driving 101 mph on his way home from a political event in a state car and, when that failed, escaped without even a warning by making the trooper think he was a high-ranking law enforcement officer. Even before he was elected, he sent out campaign flyers designed to make it look like all the GOP gubernatorial candidates had endorsed him (they had not), and then bragged about his trickery.
Mr. Sanford, who never wanted a security team, was convinced to accept one in order to protect him from the public. Mr. Bauer has always craved his own security detail, and lawmakers gave in and provided him one after it became clear that he needed to be protected from himself — and, frankly, that the public needed protection from him.
Now word has it that Mr. Bauer is pledging to give up his 2010 bid for governor if he gets to be governor for the next 18 months. That raises more questions than it answers. Does he want to be a governor who works to move our state forward or not? If he’s willing to settle for being a caretaker, why wouldn’t he come out and say that publicly, rather than whispering it to legislators? Most significantly, can we really take him at his word? He swore during his 2006 re-election bid that he would not seek the office of governor. Ever. We see how good that promise was. That we would have to ask such a question says a lot about his potential to improve the situation in which our state finds itself. The cliche about frying pans and fires comes to mind.
If we’re looking to rid our state of embarrassment, it’s hard to see how replacing Mr. Sanford with Mr. Bauer would accomplish that. And it’s hard to overstate the potential long-term downside of such a move.
By Susan Brown June 30, 2009 at 10:14 am
Having worked as a volunteer I know first hand about the Lt. Governor’s work concerning the Senior Citizens of South Carolina. Every call gets some kind of assistance as soon as possible. His “Bold Move”, truly is a political move concerning the next Governor’s race, however, can it be possible that he is a caring politician?
By Susan Brown June 30, 2009 at 10:18 am
I happen to know first hand of the Lt. Governor’s work in helping the Senior Citizen’s of South Carolia. Every call is attended to and some help is offered. Can it be possible that he is a caring politician? I believe so.
By Silence Dogood June 30, 2009 at 10:20 am
This would be really good for Bauer in so many ways. It would allow him to continue being an absolute political light weight as far as actual experience in governance is concerned, while at the same time allowing him the next 18 months to work on ANOTHER political campaign rather than for S.C. Gov. Furthermore, if things go to hell in a hand basket over the next 18 months, he can disown it. If it goes well, he can tell all the credit. All the while putting a feather in his political cap of claiming to have “served as governor” which I know he would be very happy to have up there since running a lawn mower business and selling T-shirts in college is really his highest degree of executive leadership to date (if you don’t count that kick back scam on his office on aging).
By Susan Brown June 30, 2009 at 10:20 am
I happen to know of the Lt Governors work with the Senior Citizens of SC can it be possible that he is a caring politician ? I think so.
By Susan Brown June 30, 2009 at 10:22 am
The Lt Governor’s assistance for Senior Citizens shows a caring politician.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' June 30, 2009 at 10:23 am
Agreed, although those who are not 100% comfortable with Bauer have more sources of concern than his poor driving and crooked business dealings. For instance, he clearly promised he would not run for governor, and yet it is obvious that he has flip-flopped and will run in 2010 if Sanford serves the remainder of his term. Even more troubling is that Bauer is widely-known to be bisexual if not homosexual. We’ve had enough shame brought on the state by our current governor’s sexual behavior — we don’t need the same from his successor.
By Barney Fife June 30, 2009 at 10:28 am
Well, this move by Bauer is better than I anticipated. Why would he do this is two fold.
One, if Sanford does not resign he does look like the candidate that took the high road. Therefore, giving him political leverage. His only real competitor is Gresham Barrett. Henry will be an also ran. He’s an idiot and the more people see him, the more they will realize that.
Second, if Sanford does resign and Andre is elevated to Governor, he can run for any seat congressional seat he wants in 2012, maybe in 2010. Too Bad Lindsey won’t be up for re-election at that time.
This is a brilliant move, regardless which door opens. Kind of reminds me of when I ran for Sheriff, but I digress.
By Tired of the good ole boys June 30, 2009 at 10:30 am
The word on the street is that Andre recently did polling showing him getting trounced in the gubernatorial race – he probably is about to report a lousy fundraising quarter as well…so he has nothing to lose by “promising” not to run for governor in 2010.
I have also heard that his polling also showed him doing well if he ran against Bob Inglis or Henry Brown for their congressional seats – so I’d bet that he is hoping to do so as the sitting governor.
Remember that in the 2006 campaign he said he wouldn’t run for governor if re-elected as gov lite; if you are enough of a sucker to believe his latest promise then Jake has some beach front property in Lexington County to sell you.
By Jeffy June 30, 2009 at 11:06 am
Again haters……what polirical race has he ever lost. The guys is a winner. Period. All of you bashing him were the same ones trying to convince us last week that Sanford really went hiking.
By A. South Carolina Dead Politician June 30, 2009 at 11:18 am
Three blind mice, three blind mice…
And now ladies and gentlemen, another deal from those (mc)Masters of Deception?
Could this be A Quinn Special Deal?
If Mark leaves the job – Andre gets to be Governor and McMaster will sidestep any ‘official-doing-my-duty-as-the-AG’ investigations of Lame Duck Governor Bauer.
But, only as long as Andre keeps his side of the deal not to get in Henry’s way for the 2010 nomination!
Then Andre – former Governor – runs for Congress!
See how they run, see how they run…
P.S. Remember what fate Thomas Ravenel suffered at rejecting the Quinn Gate special of the day?
By baker June 30, 2009 at 11:25 am
The few times I have been around Andre Bauer, he has seemed like a nice enough and hard-working enough fellow.
But just a question: What was his career before politics?
I’ve never heard much about that and was just curious.
By Old Army Guy June 30, 2009 at 11:39 am
Someone please tell me with a straight face that Bauer is the best we can come up with in South Carolina for either Lt Gov or Governor. I thought so. The problem is that politics in this State is filled with such a bunch of numbskulls that no one other than another numbskull is willing to run for office. The thing we should be scratching our heads over is how do we break the cycle of stupidity and get competent people to run for office out of a sense of public service, rather than self-aggrandizement and greed.
By Scene SC June 30, 2009 at 11:44 am
Tired of the good ole boys
What he said is on point.
Andre is letting his boys do the dirty work. It will only be a couple more days until the spin game comes back on him.
By Barney Fife June 30, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Old Army guy, we had a choice between him and Mike Campbell. Do I need to say anything else?
By rick beltram June 30, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Guys:
As Chairman, I made many visits with Andre to Seniors’ groups.
They all love him!
He has done a fine job as LT. Gov.
We need to stop trashing each other…..if we want the GOP to survive!
Rick Beltram
By Darth June 30, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Why am I reminded of promises demanded of Thomas Ravenel (remember him?) that he’d not run in ’08 against Lindsey…
Now were there a quar Quinn deal in the works, just which Congress seat would Andre be gunning for? Not Henry Brown or Joe Wilson, suicide by any measure. Not seat of gubernatorial candidate Gresham Barrett or Bob Inglis, lest it be to dilute the field and see a runoff… Is Andre’s house in Charelston in Jim Clyburn’s district? (could it be with a bit of fanagling)
By Richard June 30, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Why are the God fearing, bible believing people of this state so willing to forgive Sanford for breaking God’s law while not willing to extend that same hand of forgiveness to Bauer for breaking man’s law?
By ethel krabitz June 30, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Andre is just another silly douchewad. However, at the rate things are going, could he be any worse than Sanford?
By mike campbell June 30, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Hey Barney Fife! Which Mike Campbell are you refering too?
By Phil July 1, 2009 at 8:54 am
Mike Campbell would have been fun! Could you imagine his Press releases…LOL
By Go Andre! July 1, 2009 at 10:24 am
Andre is truly proving his commitment to the constituents of South Carolina by possibly rescinding his candidacy for the 2010 governorship. Why are we going to attack the one leader who is altruistic? Even though Sanford made some huge mistakes (which was poignant to his political career and personal life) Andre is not being captious with his statements towards Sanford’s situation.
In addition to the statements of Andre’s speeding, our Governor just had an extra-marital affair. He had been unfaithful since 2001 and has “crossed the line” more than once during his 20 yr. marriage. The most preposterous fact divulged was the fact that he used tax payers money to do so! Sanford’s affair v. Andre speeding? I would rather have a governor who speeds versus one who cheats and allocates tax payers money for personal finances.
It has also become transparent that not only has Rick Quinn been sleeping with Henry McMaster but perhaps FITS news himself!
By Recovering Lobbyist July 1, 2009 at 10:36 am
Dead Politician: that would be my guess as well. André will be king for a year and run as the favorite against Henry Brown or Bob Inglis. Brilliant.
By Larry August 26, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Bauer hasn’t lost but then again, until he served as Lt. Governor, he never finished a term in office, either. I had some dealings with Bauer in the late 80s and some of the people he was associated with were not exactly outstanding citizens. Those people still form a lot of Bauer’s power base. As for Bauer helping the citizens of SC. He does nothing that will not offer him a substantial return. A return in power. The power of favors. I find his Jacksonian form of politics extremely disturbing. I find the prospect of Bauer in the Governor’s mansion a very frightening prospect for South Carolina.