SC

Polling Mark Sanford

SOMEBODY (MARK SANFORD) WANTS TO KNOW ALL ABOUT FORMER GOVERNOR’S CHANCES IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE We’re still two weeks away from the official kickoff for South Carolina’s vacant first congressional district seat (a.k.a. the opening of filing for the seat), but that’s not stopping the candidates from taking the temperature of…

south carolina governor mark sanford

south carolina governor mark sanford

SOMEBODY (MARK SANFORD) WANTS TO KNOW ALL ABOUT FORMER GOVERNOR’S CHANCES IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE

We’re still two weeks away from the official kickoff for South Carolina’s vacant first congressional district seat (a.k.a. the opening of filing for the seat), but that’s not stopping the candidates from taking the temperature of voters as they contemplate entering the circus.

In fact sources tell FITS a “long and expensive” poll of the first district was conducted this week – a survey that focused almost exclusively on one candidate: former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford. The poll – which was in the field as recently as Thursday evening – also asked questions about S.C. Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley) and State Rep. Chip Limehouse (RINO-Charleston), but we’re told it went into extensive detail about positive and negative aspects of the political

Specifically, the poll asked voters to rate certain statements on a scale of 1 to 10, indicating the extent to which the statements made them “more likely” to support Sanford’s bid for the U.S. House seat he held from 1995-2001 (prior to his two terms as governor of South Carolina).

For example, the poll asked if voters would be “more likely” to vote for Sanford knowing …

  • His spokesman said he was hiking the Appalachian Trail while he was really in Argentina with his paramour
  • He was the first governor to enact meaningful tort reform
  • He violated state ethics laws with regard to using the state plane (and paid fines)
  • He was the first governor to enact serious reforms at the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Job creation in South Carolina was strong during his tenure as governor
  • He returned millions of dollars to taxpayers during his tenure in Congress
  • He publicly admitted adultery

Obviously this poll is “testing messages,” i.e. seeking to assess which of Sanford’s positive traits are likely to be best-received by voters – and which of his negative traits are likely to do the most damage to his prospective candidacy. Who’s behind the poll? Our guess is it was commissioned by Sanford’s campaign in an effort to get a lay of the land prior to his formal announcement for the seat.

Sanford’s numbers statewide – even among Republican voters – are poor. According to a Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey released last month, fifty-three percent of South Carolina voters had a negative opinion of Sanford compared to just 30 percent who viewed him in a favorable light.  Among Republicans, 44 percent viewed him unfavorably compared to 39 percent who had a favorable impression.

We suspect Sanford fares a bit better in the Lowcountry – and among first district voters – but he’s obviously still facing an uphill climb. In fact most politicos we’ve spoken with expect him to lose a runoff election for the seat (assuming he makes it that far).

UPDATE: This will come as a shocker to no one, but multiple Republican sources are confirming to FITS that this poll was commissioned by Mark Sanford’s campaign.

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53 comments

BigT January 4, 2013 at 2:40 pm

We have too many LIARS and dis-honest people as it is…

FITS, more than anyone, show know that….

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Tammy January 4, 2013 at 9:48 pm

Oh the liars! Where does one start? Joe Wilson, Danny Frazier, Randy Halfacre, Hazel Tyndall, Hakley…and the best goes on.

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I know you all January 4, 2013 at 2:49 pm

If Mark wants to gain voter support, he should enlighten the voters about that plane ride to China. Would actually increase his credibility.

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lexconserve January 4, 2013 at 2:51 pm

Yep. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing so.

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carrie January 4, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Oh forget about that China trip. There were other people on the trip who would have noticed and reported anything that was going on between the two governors.

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Joe Wilson Is A Very Smart Man January 4, 2013 at 2:56 pm

In more First District News

Berkeley County Senator Larry Grooms says he will announce his candidacy next week,while Charleston County Councilman Elliot Summey,who previously said he would likely run,now says,he won’t!

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Bill Cardin January 5, 2013 at 11:37 pm

Joe Wilson is not a very smart man. You are either Joe, Roxanne or Butch Wallace the little lying sack of shit. Go get a real job and get off the public dole.

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carrie January 4, 2013 at 2:58 pm

What’s the story about Jenny? Was she talked out of running for the seat?
She was so defensive about Mark’s political views in her book, “Staying True”. I do wonder if she is going to help him after all since there is no emotional attachments between those two.

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Be a success elsewhere January 4, 2013 at 3:09 pm

Hope the results cause him to pause and reconsider his bid. Lord knows requests from his former spouse and possibly even his sons, had little impact. I guess the soulmate just wants him to follow his bliss, regardless.

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Bono January 4, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Pollster: Like, if he had sex on the trail, in the plane and in the office, would you vote for him?

Answer: Only if he did it with both Maria and Jenny and posted a you-tube of it.

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BigT January 4, 2013 at 3:53 pm

I figured I could tell him what his chances are….

But look how many STUPID voters we had in OH and Penn. in Nov.

So you never know…

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HELLO January 4, 2013 at 3:57 pm

I BELIEVE THAT MARTIN STANFORD WILL BE AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR THE GOVERNOR.

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carrie January 4, 2013 at 4:05 pm

Martin? Martin, who? What state are you from?

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carrie January 4, 2013 at 4:06 pm

Stanford?

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Butch January 4, 2013 at 9:49 pm

Joe Wilson…get back to work and off this site!

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Roy January 4, 2013 at 4:07 pm

With the lay of the land as it is, I think we need a fresh face. Who might that be?

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shifty henry January 4, 2013 at 4:20 pm

….. Nice close-up photo, Fits. Still have your “freckle fetish”?

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leonard January 4, 2013 at 4:23 pm

Martin Stanford beats the shit out of Mark Sanford.

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Roy January 4, 2013 at 4:31 pm

Like!

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bogart January 4, 2013 at 7:36 pm

Martin Stanfod has my vote….Would have to see some pigs flying before Sanford would get my vote.

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Rockin Robin January 4, 2013 at 4:50 pm

FITS,
My wife let that pollster have it last night! It was downright comical. They asked to speak to her, so they were clearly gauging the female opinion of the Luv Guv. They also asked who she would pick in a Sanford v. Grooms and Sanford v. Limehouse race. Poor Mark, he lost on both races! LOL

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chadboy January 4, 2013 at 5:13 pm

Larry Grooms finishes Sanford’s career.

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Mike Traynor January 4, 2013 at 5:18 pm

Sanford will not run. He can’t take the rejection.

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shifty henry January 4, 2013 at 5:20 pm

What? Your wife doesn’t like men with freckles?

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shifty henry January 4, 2013 at 5:21 pm

….. that was for rockin robin

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Come on January 4, 2013 at 5:37 pm

Mark Sanford is frisky.

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BigT January 4, 2013 at 5:51 pm

Bad politicians are the reason we ended up w/ a
POS like Obama…

Look at your paycheck this week…and think about how Sanford BLEW the office we gave him through corruption…so that people were Stupid enough to buy the B#!! S#!T Obama Sold them…

Effin Disgrace…and it all started w/ Cretins like Sanford…

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Andy January 4, 2013 at 6:29 pm

Vous etes une merde muette.

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Honky Mofo January 4, 2013 at 7:57 pm

No, POS Tea Baggers is why we have Obama in office. Racists, redneck, rightwing mesogynistic assholes are fucking up.a once great political party. Take a bow, fuckface, take a bow.

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Inventor January 4, 2013 at 9:53 pm

And POS like Joe Wilson, an asshole who fucked up Lexington County.

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dwb619 January 5, 2013 at 1:10 am

Wow,big idio”T”, for a self-proclaimed PROFESSIONAL JOURNALIST, you really have a rather limited vocabulary.
Your field of influence wouldn’t be the “port-a-let wall” would it?
YOU BETCHA!
YOU BETCHA!

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BIN News Editorial Staff January 4, 2013 at 6:23 pm

Anyone who supports Sanfraud for anything deserves what they get. How many times do S.C. voters need to elect frauds before they learn?

Sanfraud, T-Rave the Cocaine Man, Captain Ethics-Ard, Charlie “Mr. Extortion” Sharpe, and the list goes on and on.

Don’t forget the political consultants.

You know, like the ones who have CDV convictions. :)

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Carrefour January 4, 2013 at 9:54 pm

And throw the Wilson’s on that list.

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here we go again January 6, 2013 at 8:56 am

And Haley and the Peelers and most of the elected officials in Lexington (Town/County).

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bogart January 4, 2013 at 7:42 pm

I’m guessing Maria prefers a Congressman to a hole digger…..but does she know that as a Congressman he was digging around in a lot of holes????….Run Sanford,run,the late night shows are begging.

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she gave up the Argentinian Ted Turner, and an Argentinian mafioso for this? January 4, 2013 at 9:11 pm

No stone un-turned, no soil un-tilled, Chapur won’t mind, she truly believes in freedom.

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Lt. Dan Taylor January 4, 2013 at 10:06 pm

Sanford reminds me of Forrest Gump.

>>>>>>>>>>

[Forrest and Bubba salute Lt. Dan.]

Lt. Dan Taylor: Ho! Get your hands down. Do not salute me. There are goddamn snipers all around this area who’d love to grease an officer. I’m Lieutenant Dan Taylor. Welcome to Fort Platoon.

[Lt. Dan looks at Bubba.]

Lt. Dan Taylor: What’s wrong with your lip?

Bubba: I was born with big gums, sir.

Lt. Dan Taylor: Well, you better tuck that in. Gonna get that caught on a trip wire. Where are you boys from in the world?

Bubba, Forrest Gump: Alabama, sir!

Lt. Dan Taylor: You twins?

[Forrest and Bubba look at each other oddly not getting the joke.]

Forrest Gump: No. We are not relations, sir.

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junior justice January 5, 2013 at 6:51 am

Please continue this story. Which reminds me of-

A shy soldier, on his first visit to a brothel, asks the madam, “Um, do Viet girls really have their, um, you know, sideways”?

The madam answers, “Why you ask? Are you a harmonica player”?

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Porkchop January 5, 2013 at 7:37 pm

I’d like to know more about Sanford’s “military experience” which I understand is one tour in the S.C. Air National Guard making peanut butter sandwiches on weekends in Texas.

This was a publicity stunt. Sanford doesn’t have the balls to put his life on the line for his country.

The SCNG website lists all members who were KIA in Iraq and Afghanistan — http://www.scguard.army.mil/.

Also see http://www.scguard.army.mil/sc-air-national-guard.php.

Those are the real heroes.

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Sally January 4, 2013 at 9:45 pm

I heard Nancy Mace’s name floated for CD1 today by some in the know. Sic – any chance?

If she can make it out of the Citadel boy’s club, she certainly can slay the Beltway.

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Truth seeker January 4, 2013 at 9:50 pm

I would vote for Mark Sandford

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junior justice January 5, 2013 at 6:53 am

Serious question – Does he really have any true, solid friends who care?

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Department of Immigration January 5, 2013 at 9:15 am

Belen, Can resident aliens vote in the US?

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carrie January 5, 2013 at 11:28 am

Can Mark run for an office in USA if he is an Argentine too?

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sam January 5, 2013 at 8:17 am

Here’s my poll. Shut up and go away.

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hhuuhh?? January 5, 2013 at 9:28 am

As of today, Trikki Nikki Haley, Mark’s chosen successor, has not been governor for quite 2 years – it just seems like 10.

In those less than two years we have seen scandals at Governor’s Cabinet SCDEW, SCDOT, SCDSS, and major, major mess at SCDOR – have I missed any?

NONE of these scandals burst full grown from the brow of Trikki Nikki. None of those agencies could have gotten so fouled up in less than 2 years. They were simmering and steaming in Mark’s (and, Jenny’s) cauldron of executive/managerial incompetence for 8 years prior to Nikki.

Are there going to be any SC reporters asking him why HE and his appointees (and co-governor Jenny) didn’t catch any of these problems before they exploded their toxic sludge all over the kitchen walls? And, demand to know why the hell not?

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junior justice January 5, 2013 at 9:49 am

Good thought – I’d like to see that.

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Jake January 5, 2013 at 9:50 am

Mark, go get a real job and quit trying sucking money off of taxpayers

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BIN News Editorial Staff January 5, 2013 at 4:21 pm

Jake, you have hit Markie-Mark’s sore nerve.

He can’t get a “real job.” No one (honest) will hire him.

And, if he starts his own business, who in their right mind would ever be seen doing business with him?

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Shitfor Brains January 5, 2013 at 11:05 pm

I heard the dude is hung like a garden hose

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Does it stretch to Argentina? January 6, 2013 at 11:25 am

Well I suppose a lot of guys would be happy to have that epitaph, political or otherwise.

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bogart January 6, 2013 at 4:47 pm

Right,a quick coil garden hose…..drain it and it will fit into a dematasse cup.

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Red January 6, 2013 at 7:25 pm

I wonder if he’ll phone up and order the U.S. Marine Corps to “cease and desist” flying airplanes over his plantation while he’s entertaining guests.

You know, like last time.

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