Sanford To Capital Press Corps: “Cover Me If You Can”
At a bitter and caustic press conference on Wednesday afternoon, an embattled S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford basically declared war against the South Carolina media.
Thursday morning, he fired the first volley – effectively restricting statewide media access to an event he held in Greenville, S.C.
At approximately 9:39 a.m. Thursday morning, FITS received an email from the governor’s communications office advising us that Sanford would be holding an 11:00 a.m. “availability” in Greenville. Other local news outlets reported receiving the email at approximately the same time.
Here’s the only problem with that … unless Sanford was planning on hooking the press up with the state plane, there’s no way to get from Columbia to Greenville in an hour and 21 minutes.
And what about reporters from Charleston, Beaufort or Myrtle Beach?
Yup, they’re totally screwed.
“Unbelievable,” one member of the capital press corps told FITS.
Also, for the second time in as many days, Sanford uncharacteristically refused to take questions from the media at his Greenville “availability.”
Comments
By Jonny D on August 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Fits, cry me a river.
By 1+1=3 on August 27th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Well one place reporters should never go? Columbia…because he’s never there
By Nunya Bizness on August 27th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Is it techincally an availability if no questions are asked. It’s just another statement apparently.
By Si Rosen on August 27th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Well, being nice to the press has really worked out well for Sanford so far, right?
By bob on August 27th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Abuse of power.
By yarrrrr on August 27th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
This is ridiculous… I though he should have stepped down a long time ago, but there is absolutely no point now… it’s being driven by republicans for bauer, republicans who don’t want him leading them into the next election, and dems who just want to keep bringing him up…
By Tim on August 27th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
If he refuses to take questions, it won’t be long before they’ll simply stop covering him, making the clown even more useless in his job.
By MKinVA on August 27th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
So you missed a media availability where the Gov. did not make himself available to the media. He said the same stuff as yesterday w/ a few more details, but this time he had newspapers clutched in his hand and waived them about in the hopes of distracting us from seeing that his eyes were spinning in his head. From what I could make out over the traffic, he said “made a mistake”, blah, blah, blah, “business class”, blah, blah, blah, “a media creation”, blah, blah, blah, “political fiction”, blah, blah, blah, “Maria”, sigh. Pretty much what he said the last 3 times. The only excitement was waiting to see if he got hit by the Pepsi truck.
By Cheraw Citizen on August 27th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
One thing for sure, as far as Sanford, his actions, and the fallout, we no longer have a democracy up and running in SC.
This tops the investigation here in Chesterfield County re former solicitor Hodge. At least he did resign. I’d bet a million to one this farce in Cheraw is linked to Columbia. Matter of fact, I know it is. So many up there turned a blind eye to what was happening here. Ex-chief of SLED from here, so…
By marco on August 27th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
He’s certainly nothing if not consistent in his use of kabuki theatre..
…
…….stunts with “shoats” in the statehouse decrying pork barrel spending; stunts with hansom cabs outside of the statehouse decrying antiquated policy; and stunts in front of Mr. Thomas’ office decrying his persecution by the legislature…. he’s a hustler, no doubt, realizing that….in both politics and real estate location is everything….even if the horse going up and down the street behind him is the only one listening to him.
By SC VOTER on August 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
This is how the Media should reply to Sanfrauds future Press Conferences,GOV. TO PRESS: I will be holding a press conference PRESS TO GOV: are you going to announce RESIGNATION? GOV TO PRESS: No, I will not RESIGN. PRESS TO GOV: People only want to here Resignation from YOU, no need for PRESS CONFERENCE until that notification forthcoming!!
By getreal on August 27th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Why is it that narcissists always seem to play the victim card? This narcissist, like John Edwards and Idiot Spitzer before him, made a conscious choice to betray his family and make a mockery of his career with his seemingly endless Hallmark card ramblings. The narcissists lack of shame and willingness to attempt to ride out the storm in this undignified way is further proof that they need serious psychological help. It’s over Mark and the sooner you get that fact, the sooner your family and your state can heal.
By Katherine Timmer on August 27th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Stop the bad press on the governor. Let him finaish his terma and work on improving his family situation. I wonder if members of the General Assemby would like to have their actions put under a microscope like Sanford’s. He has paid a heavy price so back off.
By MKinVA on August 27th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Katherine: What heavy price has he paid?? He lost a wife he didn’t want? He’s looked happier and better rested since she left. He has been living off the government reportedly quite well the last 6 plus years. I’d love to hear how he has suffered because of this. And don’t tell me “the boys”. Jenny and friends made it pretty obvious in Vogue that Mark hasn’t been a hands on dad all these years.
By southernmapart on August 30th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I, too, am finished with MSM (mainstream media.) Here’s what I’d like to see: Sanford and other politicos to set up websites where MSM, bloggers and roving reporters can add e-mail or twitter addresses and all those registered are able to receive notice of upcoming events.
Cams, phones or some type of recording device can easily be used to back up reports.
I want to see this “availability” turn into a free-for-all where media and bloggers are given same opportunities. Those who get good at it, will get advertising (paid.) As a citizen, there is no benefit in giving MSM favorable position. We are not getting real news from the regular media.
Times are changing and we should support media “availability” to anyone who wants to register as “media.” Go … Gov. Sanford !