SC Business Community Wants Sanford Gone
S.C. Chamber of Commerce President Otis Rawl is taking heat for comments that he made in the wake of Gov. Mark Sanford’s extramarital affair admission (and subsequent PR meltdown), but privately several influential business leaders are telling FITS that they support Rawl’s stated position.
“No truer words have ever been spoken than when Otie (Rawl) said that the governor’s head has never been in economic recruitment,” a top business leader told FITS on condition of anonymity. “The idea that some one who has never had his head in something is going to get distracted is silly.”
Sanford has angered many establishment “business leaders” by opposing rifle shot incentive deals in favor of a “soil conditions” approach aimed at enhancing the state’s underlying business climate.
Unfortunately, lawmakers in the S.C. General Assembly have balked at passing any of Sanford’s signature economic proposals.
Thus, no fertilizer.
Upstate business leaders, in particular, are “through with Sanford,” according to our sources.
Will they go public like Rawl?
“Stay tuned …” our source said (mimicking Sic Willie’s send-off).
Comments
By King Cotton on July 3rd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Yes, “rifle-shot incentive deals” have done wonders for South Carolina, haven’t they? That’s how we came up a plan that had the state dump $40 million-plus into hydrogen research to create, perhaps, a couple hundred jobs over the past decade.
Sanford, for all his faults, understands that if you want to attract and grow businesses, you’ve got create a conducive climate. That means doing things like lowering or eliminating corporate and personal income taxes.
“Rifle-shot incentive deals” may help land the occasional big company, but they do nothing to help the myriad small businesses that employ the majority of South Carolinians. For every BMW and Vought-Alenia, there are 1,000 mom-and-pop operations that don’t get tax breaks or incentives from the state but would be able to add jobs if our tax rate were restructured.
Otis Rawl and the SC Big Business may be calling for Sanford’s head, but it’s not because of his marital transgressions and his subsequent meltdown; they want him out because he’s never been willing to do their bidding.
By 1+1=3 on July 3rd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
tom davis isn’t pleased either
I have been Gov. Sanford’s friend for 30 years and the First Lady’s friend during their 20 years of marriage. God willing, we will remain friends for the next 30 years. I have not hidden my concern for Gov. Sanford and the First Lady or my support for them as they try to move forward together.
This is why as a friend, I asked Gov. Sanford on several occasions to consider resigning for the sake of his marriage and his family.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on July 3rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Economic development has not existed under this administration due to the laissez faire attitude of the governor and the fundamental incompetence of fellow silver-spooner Joe Taylor, a college drop-out who, in spite of his inability to recruit as much as a lemon-aide stand to the state, manages to collect a $152,000 salary paid with our tax dollars. Disgraceful.
By CNSYD on July 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
It is the old, old story with the preppy elite like Sanfraud. I got mine so why do I care about you?
By Frank on July 4th, 2009 at 4:13 am
Otie you are a complete dumbass! Please tell everyone how you can not stand Jakie Knotts but you are scared of what he is capable of causing you problems. I completely support Governor Sanford even in light of his mistake. True friends do that regarless of what political pressure maybe applied. You or Jakie could use some humbling!!!
By interesting on July 4th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Our state is having a budget crisis with the cutting of funds from education, public safety, etc… Pushing him out of office is not worth the money, we as a state, would have to spend nor the time. He is done and will be out soon enough. Leave it a lone and move on.
We need to move on for ourselves and his family. We do not need the circus and his family needs to heal. Moving on will stop the media from spinning the situation over and over and reopen his family’s wounds.
I feel some individuals, in this situation, want to draw attention to themselves and others are using it so they do not have to deal will our state’s more serious problems. We have more significant troubles at hand.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on July 4th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Economic development has not existed under this administration due to the laissez faire attitude of the governor and the fundamental incompetence of fellow silver-spooner Joe Taylor, a college drop-out who, in spite of his inability to recruit as much as a lemon-aide stand to the state, manages to collect a $152,000 salary paid with our tax dollars. Disgraceful.
Oops…forgot to say great post! Looking forward to your next one.
By Pearl on July 4th, 2009 at 11:20 am
The Chamber represents big business. Screw em…they don’t speak for me or my 70 employees.
By Statesman on July 4th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Had we had a different Governor, my company would have expanded and doubled the number of employees we have. Sanford wouldn’t offer the incentives previous Governors did. Hodges, Beasley, Campbell, and Riley would have helped us consolidate in SC! Commerce had their hands tied behind their backs.
By 1+1=3 on July 4th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
1. Call the governor’s office Monday 803-734-2100 and demand his resignaton
2. Send the governor an email now and ask him to resign
http://www.scgovernor.com/contact/email/
3. Ask Glenn F. McConnell, resident Pro Tempore what can be done
(803)212-6610
4. Ask your representative what can be done
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/html-pages/senateemail.html
By Rah Rah Ree on July 4th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Rawl is an ex-government hack…way out of his league…The Titanic stould a better chance than does the chamber with him at the helm.