By FITSNews || S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford was originally going to allow a controversial $134 million “Mega Mall” incentives package (for a politically-connected GOP developer) to become law without his signature, sources within the governor’s office tell FITS.
In fact, one of Sanford’s top staffers told us the governor actually called the power-broker developer at the heart of the deal, Mel Sembler, and promised him that the bill would not be vetoed.
Days later, however, Sanford was convinced by State Sen. Tom Davis – the leading legislative opponent of the “Mega Mall bailout” – to reverse his position and promise a veto of the bill, which Sanford did (much to Sembler’s chagrin).
But that’s just the first “flip-flop” Sanford is said to have made with respect to this legislation.
Now, with the bill having been placed on the legislative fast track (and a knock-down, drag-out fight brewing in the State Senate), the governor is reportedly changing his tune once again.
This time, however, instead of reversing his position publicly, Sanford is reportedly lobbying lawmakers behind the scenes in an effort to – wait for it – have them override his veto.
Wait … what?
Multiple state lawmakers tell FITS that Sanford has personally called them about the Sembler legislation within the last week, basically saying that he will not single them out for criticism if they vote to override his veto.
“He told me ‘I ain’t gonna hurt you’ if you override me,” one lawmakers told FITS.
Another legislator said Sanford voiced almost identical language to him, saying that he “understood” if the lawmaker felt compelled to override his veto.
Our source in the governor’s office confirmed those conversations, but quickly added that the governor would continue to publicly oppose the legislation.
Hmmmm …
For those of you who missed the drama of the previous year, Sanford has been on a “walking humbly” kick with state lawmakers ever since he was busted lying to South Carolinians – and misleading other state leaders – about his whereabouts last summer (the governor left his kids on Father’s Day to secretly fly to Argentina and visit his Latin lover, it was later revealed). In fact, some have speculated that a deal was cut during the peak of the governor’s sex scandal to keep Sanford – or at least a neutered version of him – in office for the duration of his term, which ends in January.
“He might finally get something done,” one veteran political observer quipped to FITS about the Sembler override. “It’s sustaining vetoes he has a problem with.”
Aside from the fundamental foolishness of allowing the government to pick winners and losers in the marketplace, this deal is bad on many additional levels.
For starters, there’s this developer’s poor track record, the questionable legality of this deal and the fact that the proposed facility will cannibalize sales from local retail establishments.
Oh well, if Sanford refuses to hold lawmakers accountable who support this boondoggle, you can count on FITS to pick up the slack …
By Admiral_Komack March 2, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Mark Sanford: Talking out both sides of his neck.
By tony d March 2, 2010 at 2:21 pm
For Sale — one State of South Carolina — to highest bidder.
More shame — on Sanford, the legislature, and those who would sell out the public to shady developers.
PS — quit busting Sanford for missing fathers day — hadn’t his spouse already kicked him out and told him not to have anything to do with her or his kids until he was willing to “toe the line?” Or did that come later?
By anonymous March 2, 2010 at 2:48 pm
NEW PHOTO OF:
Maria Belen Chapur:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jP8mUiIhrLQ/SkT22T7AClI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/AxF1MsDpQCA/s400/Maria+Belen+Chapur.jpg
By Old Bike Dude March 2, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Fits, why do I suspect that Davis is playing the same game?
By Crooner March 2, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Please explain how Sanford has the power to hurt ANYBODY?
By stimulus March 2, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Maria has to have somewhere to shop near the plantation.
By Judy March 2, 2010 at 3:41 pm
please go to the soul mate in BA-Argentina
By WalterK March 2, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Hypocrite.
By anonymous March 2, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Sanfraud explains everything:
http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/mp/36mvcL7hzN3l.jpg
By anonymous March 2, 2010 at 4:37 pm
BINGO!
I do believe we have a winner!
Old Bike Dude says:
“Fits, why do I suspect that Davis is playing the same game?”
That’s exactly right, Davis is the goon for Sanfraud. No reason for him to change now.
Once a goon, always a goon.
By Toyota Kawaski March 2, 2010 at 4:39 pm
And THATS ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE BY MAN-D!!!!
By fitsnews March 2, 2010 at 4:56 pm
OBD/Anon-
Don’t you id-jits realize you’re just telegraphing your fear of Tom Davis?
Dude should be running for governor right now. He’d wipe the floor with Foghorn, Bailout, Dre Boy and even Sweet Nikki.
-FITS
By Columbia Insider March 2, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Judging by the way he’s been working the hell out of the Senate to kill the Sembler bill, if Davis is faking it, then he’s the best faker I’ve ever seen. And I wouldn’t bet against him; he’s a smart dude. Don’t know about him running for governor, though. He needs more experience. And his connection with Sanford is still too strong.
By Old Bike Dude March 2, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Still think there’s a possibility that the McConnell “Yes” vote was a Davis deal for future consideration. jus sayin’. btw remember I was the one screaming about the voting irregulaities which affected Davis in the last election. It’s just that he picked his bro over his constituents once before and lost considerable integrity.
By Lowcountry Hog March 3, 2010 at 1:23 am
FITS,
Ole Senator Davis doesn’t want his personal transgressions getting out to the general public. He may not have gone to Argentina, but…….
SuuuuuuWEEEEE
By Stumpy March 3, 2010 at 7:38 am
Where’s Andre? We keep feeding these things and they keep breeding.
By Mike Traynor March 3, 2010 at 9:08 am
What people seem to be missing in all of this is Sanford’s personal interest. After politics, Sanford has very little on which he can fall back. Oh, of course he has Coosaw, but what will he do for a job? Remember, Sanford tried to be a real estate type as his first job, but was bounced out of that job–throwing a temper tantrum and wrecking his office with the Brumley company.
Sanford needs a job or a board seat or a consulting gig. Sembler offers him that chance. He may not end up at Sembler, but Mel has contacts everywhere. Mel was president of ICSC, and can get Sanford a board seat on any one of a score of boards–preserving his income after politics.
This is the Mark Sanford that I knew at Furman–cheerleader, kiss-ass, getting a plum job without any merit.