Governor’s Strongest Ally Issues Statement
S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s former chief of staff and one of the governor’s most important allies in the General Assembly is performing what he calls “due diligence” on the question of whether or not his longtime friend should step down.
State Sen. Davis (R-Beaufort), who also served as one of Sanford’s top strategists on both of his gubernatorial campaigns, says that in spite of his friendship with the governor “I also have a job to do as an elected official.”
Here’s the statement from Davis, released a moment ago …
I came to Columbia today because I have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Beaufort County and the people of South Carolina. Obviously I have tremendous concern for my friends, Mark and Jenny Sanford and their family, but I also have a job to do as an elected official.
Before any important decision I make comes due diligence, and I owe it to my constituents to perform that due diligence before taking a public position on an issue as important as whether to call for the resignation of a duly-elected statewide official.
Accordingly, I have met today with the governor and members of his staff; I have had telephone conversations with my friend, Jenny Sanford; I have talked with the governor’s legislative supporters and opponents; and I have talked with key reform leaders who have been fighting for the issues I believe in – fiscal responsibility, limited government, market principles and individual liberty.
I am also planning on speaking today with Attorney General Henry McMaster and SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd, and am I particularly interested in learning the outcome of SLED’s review as to whether the governor has ever illegally used any state funds. I am told that review will be completed by tomorrow.
Again, this is a critical decision for the State of South Carolina and I want to rely on firsthand conversations, not media reports, rumors, political pressure or speculation.
Based on these conversations, I expect to form my official position very shortly. But I can assure you that whatever official position I ultimately reach will be one that I truly believe to be in the best interests of the people of Beaufort County in particular and the state of South Carolina in general.
In the meantime, I would encourage all South Carolinians to keep the Sanfords in their thoughts and prayers.
Previously, Davis – like most of the Palmetto political class – had adopted a wait and see attitude on Sanford’s future, saying that the governor had an opportunity to restore the trust he lost with the people of South Carolina.
Davis stood with Sanford at his press conference last week, and spoke in support of him on the national talk shows as the scandal was breaking.
Obviously this wasn’t surprising to anyone considering the three decade friendship between the two men, which Sanford repeatedly referenced at his press conference. In fact, Sanford cried over letting down “the Tom Davises of the world.”
In fact, thanks to support from Davis and other leaders in the S.C. reform movement, Sanford appeared to have weathered the storm.
At least he had weathered it until yesterday, when he wrapped up a disastrous two-day interview with the Associated Press in which he admitted inconsistencies in his previous statements, additional liaisons with his Argentine lover and improper conduct with other women.
Now, based on our reading of this statement, it appears Davis is on the verge of joining the calls for Sanford to step down – a blow the governor would likely be unable to survive politically.
Davis has reportedly been in talks all morning with Sanford, his staffers and various legislative leaders. Originally, sources told us that Davis was having the “come to Jesus” meeting with Sanford, but Davis would not discuss his private conversation with the governor or other leaders on the record with FITS.
Developing …
Comments
By CNSYD on July 1st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Sorry, but this says nothing to me other than I am waiting to see which direction and how strongly the wind is blowing.
By Jeffy on July 1st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
was cubby in the meeting?
By J. Wellington on July 1st, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I gotta believe that he’s only hedging cause the alternative is Andre.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on July 1st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I disagree with the comments. I think Davis is the real deal, and he’s torn up over his friend’s circumstances. If he sees a whiff of illegality in the governor’s travel expenses, he’ll call for him to resign. Bank.
By Fashizzle on July 1st, 2009 at 5:30 pm
This certainly won’t help things. Sanford goes back on promise to release records:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090701/ap_on_re_us/us_sc_governor_records
By reno on July 1st, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Davis is only the “real deal” beacuse Sic pimps him 24-7. Still it is a good statement. He is looking at the facts and I am sure none of this is easy for him. I think he has hit the right tone throughout this — like Jenny.
By CNSYD on July 1st, 2009 at 5:43 pm
not sayin, just sayin, did you at one time say, or at least think, Sanford was the “real deal”?
By BT on July 1st, 2009 at 5:46 pm
I really hope you will support Sanford. I feel he has told “all” and feels badly about all of this. I feel he is a Christian and is trying to be honest. Eventually his commitment will be with Jenny and the boys. They are his past, his love, his commitment and his future. I will pray for Jenny to help him and his boys through this. The strength remains with her. Passion in a marriage, a “love story” goes away. Then comes belief, commitment. Jenny needs to love Mark now when he doesn’t love her. This is a ritual now in some marriage commitments. This is my prayer for her. Jenny, don’t let pride stand in your way. Move back and you and the boys support your family, which includes your husband.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on July 1st, 2009 at 5:59 pm
CNSYD, no, I never said Sanford was the real deal. I never voted for him in a primary. I did vote for him in the ‘02 general election, but I didn’t vote for him in ‘06. I always thought he was a flake. A futon? Really?
By The Organ Grinder on July 1st, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Wow. Somebody finally takes a mature approach to this mess, and he gets railed on in the comments.
What? A politician actually taking the time to think his way through things — things beyond just what might get him re-elected? Clearly, we have to get rid of this guy.
I’d much rather have those who came to their decisions based on 1) pure hatred for the man, 2) a knee-jerk populist-fueled fear, 3) a craving to see one’s name in the paper, or 4) a desire to save one’s own campaign for Governor. (You can fill in the blanks with names, if you like).
I can think of one Legislator who probably didn’t take a break from eating his ham biscuit before demanding Sanford’s head on a platter.
I’ll take my chances with Davis over all of those, thanks.
By Look out, I'm next on July 1st, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Davis is no saint either…….
By peyton manning sucks on July 1st, 2009 at 6:50 pm
if they’re so thick, why doesn’t davis just ask him if he broke the law? if davis doesn’t trust him to answer honestly, then no one can trust him, right? it would take all of 5 seconds to ask the question and answer it. no SLED investigation (they don’t work for free over there you know), no Attorney General’s investigation (they get paid, too). it would cost Beaufort County taxpayers nothing. It’s simple really.
By jw456 on July 1st, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Whether a person is a Christian or not, should not be relevant to whether they are a good leader. Apparently all kinds of hypocrites can hide behind saying they are a good Christian.
By Low Country Swamp Fox on July 1st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Senator Rose has released a statement on his web site now also. The game is almost up.
By Tim on July 1st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Man I miss all those beautiful women at those parties blowing lines with Mark, Andre, and Thomas…stay strong Mark!
By Matthew on July 1st, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Let’s assume he misused a few thousand bucks diverting a trip or two for a secret rendezvous . Big dam deal. Henry Brown wastes more than that in a week mailing out his silly flyers.
You say he left the country ? So a chief executive takes a few days off. It is not hurricane season. I can’t picture a scenario where having him in or out of the country would really matter. I sure didn’t feel endangered during his absence, did you?
So Sanford had a fling and falls in love or lust with a woman outside of the US. How many marriages have infidelity? Happens all the time.
Let’s ask a relevant question or two.
Is he a good governor? Seems to have been, before this media frenzy. Is he prudent with our money? Sure seems to be. Is he better than the guy who would step it to replace him? No doubt about it.
Now let’s ask a 24 hour cable news question. Do you think he is behaving foolishly saying things he doesn’t have to say and embarassing his family?
Of course he is.
Take a deep breath, stop thumping your bible, have a drink, and relax.
Let him stay in office and get back to work. My bet is he will work harder than ever.
By Say what? on July 1st, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Has Davis ever gone on any of those out of country trips with Mark to blow off steam? I think he needs to make a public statement on this. If he did, then he may go down in flames with Mark. What a tangled web Mark weaves.
By Richard on July 1st, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Matthew, I’d have to agree 100% withat synapsis.
By anonymous on July 1st, 2009 at 11:18 pm
The Mark Sanford Spelling Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOJ5dqJYfgI
By snoozer on July 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 am
“I would say,” Tom, that “At the end of the day, I lied to you too, many, many times.”
Fool me once…..
By Toyota Kawaski on July 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 am
Mattehwwwwwee return to ohio and next time you come down get a clue
By PandaChris on July 2nd, 2009 at 9:00 am
Matthew and Richard:
So you think that his misuse of our taxdollars is a small error in judgement??
Already, Sanford’s supporters seek to downplay his abuse of the taxpayers.
By scooter on July 2nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
First, lets be careful about implying drug use by people. If you knew a couple of those people well, you would know they are more into health and exercise and not into drugs. Second, Davis knows more than he lets on, and knows it first hand. Third, I don’t care about the affair–just the lies and lies and lies, and the leaving of his post without notice, and my money going to have fun without me. I want my money back, Mark. I want my state back, Mark. Heavens, I want SC to stop looking like a state where all the idiots live. Have loved watching MSNBC for 2 weeks. They hit the nail on the head!
By scooter on July 2nd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Matthew? Are you secretly one of Mark’s staffers? How off base can you be? This is a big deal. All of this is a big deal. I only hope you made your comment in jest. If not, you need some counseling yourself. Bud, this is huge. Mark Sanford is a self important, over the top liar, cheater and he used our money to sneak off to see his soul mate. All state employees as well as in the private sector, know that you can not leave your post without notice for 3 days, or you are fired.