SC

Meet Mark Sanford’s New Consultant

Former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford has retained longtime “Republican in Name Only” Wesley Donehue to advise him in the crowded GOP primary for the Palmetto State’s first congressional district. In fact Donehue’s firm is not only providing strategic and communications counsel to Sanford, they designed the former governor’s 2013 website….

Former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford has retained longtime “Republican in Name Only” Wesley Donehue to advise him in the crowded GOP primary for the Palmetto State’s first congressional district. In fact Donehue’s firm is not only providing strategic and communications counsel to Sanford, they designed the former governor’s 2013 website.

Take a look …

sanford for congress

Why is this curious? A number of reasons …

Last September (a mere five months ago) Donehue offered a graphic description of Sanford at college GOP forum.

“Mark Sanford is a piece of human shit,” the strategist told roughly a hundred college Republicans on the campus of the University of South Carolina.

We remember because our founding editor Will Folks (a.k.a. Sic Willie) was also on the panel.

Not only that, Donehue is alleged to have provided a national reporter with information on the whereabouts of Sanford’s sport utility vehicle shortly before the governor was busted having an extramarital affair in 2009.

Does Sanford know about that? Guess we’ll find out soon enough …

Loyalty in South Carolina politics is based on one thing: Cash money. That means Donehue will call anybody anything if you pay him enough money. But Sanford’s decision to hire him is truly surprising in light of their history together – and in light of the fact Donehue’s client roster is almost exclusively comprised of fiscally liberal “Republicans.”

In fact it’s either incredibly desperate – or incredibly forgiving on Sanford’s part.

***

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FITSForum

80 comments

Guest February 13, 2013 at 1:38 pm

Why in the hell would Mark hire the man who turned him in to the press?

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Guest February 13, 2013 at 12:38 pm

Why in the hell would Mark hire the man who turned him in to the press?

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SC1News February 13, 2013 at 1:41 pm

Why in the hell would Mark Sanford hire the guy who turned him into the press?

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? February 13, 2013 at 1:51 pm

Because the system is filled with whores simply looking to score their next “John”. No two people know this better than Donehue & Sanford.

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BeaufortTiger February 13, 2013 at 4:01 pm

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer???

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SC1News February 13, 2013 at 12:41 pm

Why in the hell would Mark Sanford hire the guy who turned him into the press?

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? February 13, 2013 at 12:51 pm

Because the system is filled with whores simply looking to score their next “John”. No two people know this better than Donehue & Sanford.

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BeaufortTiger February 13, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer???

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BigT February 13, 2013 at 1:48 pm

Next thing Sanford’ll hire Jakie as his events coordinator…
PS: looks like FITS is a little P!$$#d he got left out (on this one anyway) of the money grab…
C’mon FITS, I’m sure you’ll get yours, if you are not already…
And remember what Sanford said about you when he fired you…I’m guessing you’ve likely kissed and made up a few times over since…

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BigT February 13, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Next thing Sanford’ll hire Jakie as his events coordinator…
PS: looks like FITS is a little P!$$#d he got left out (on this one anyway) of the money grab…
C’mon FITS, I’m sure you’ll get yours, if you are not already…
And remember what Sanford said about you when he fired you…I’m guessing you’ve likely kissed and made up a few times over since…

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Curtis Ballsac February 13, 2013 at 1:54 pm

Is infidelity a prerequisite for working on the Sanford campaign?? One cheater hires another. What a crew!!

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Chris February 13, 2013 at 9:54 pm

Isn’t Wesley was gay or bi? Who is he cheating with? This oughta be interesting.

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Curtis Ballsac February 13, 2013 at 12:54 pm

Is infidelity a prerequisite for working on the Sanford campaign?? One cheater hires another. What a crew!!

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Chris February 13, 2013 at 8:54 pm

Isn’t Wesley was gay or bi? Who is he cheating with? This oughta be interesting.

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? February 13, 2013 at 1:57 pm

Ya know, I never noticed the striking resemblance to “Butthead” that Donehue sports:

http://collider.com/wp-content/image-base/TV/B/Beavis_and_Butthead/beavis_and_butthead_mtv_image.jpg

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Smirks February 13, 2013 at 4:21 pm

I was thinking more of an Adam Sandler look, but that works too.

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Mike at the Beach February 13, 2013 at 11:38 pm

…except Sandler is amusing at times…

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? February 13, 2013 at 12:57 pm

Ya know, I never noticed the striking resemblance to “Butthead” that Donehue sports:

http://collider.com/wp-content/image-base/TV/B/Beavis_and_Butthead/beavis_and_butthead_mtv_image.jpg

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Smirks February 13, 2013 at 3:21 pm

I was thinking more of an Adam Sandler look, but that works too.

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Mike at the Beach February 13, 2013 at 10:38 pm

…except Sandler is amusing at times…

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Jan February 13, 2013 at 2:03 pm

Actually, it sounds to me as though Mr. Donehue has a problem not speaking the truth. What has he said about Sanford that was not true. He even admitted the reason Republicans were pressing for a voter ID law, was to suppress minority voting.
I’m not sure such honesty makes him a good Republican operative, though as evidenced by the attacks here.

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BigT February 13, 2013 at 2:25 pm

The ID Voter Law is to supress liars and cheaters….If you don’t like that, you arre likely a liar and cheater yourself…

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Jan February 13, 2013 at 1:03 pm

Actually, it sounds to me as though Mr. Donehue has a problem not speaking the truth. What has he said about Sanford that was not true. He even admitted the reason Republicans were pressing for a voter ID law, was to suppress minority voting.
I’m not sure such honesty makes him a good Republican operative, though as evidenced by the attacks here.

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BigT February 13, 2013 at 1:25 pm

The ID Voter Law is to supress liars and cheaters….If you don’t like that, you arre likely a liar and cheater yourself…

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Web guy February 13, 2013 at 2:26 pm

Whoever designed that website sucks at SEO (looking at you Wes).

I would have fired you ass a long time ago. One cheater cant afford to be associated with another.

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Web guy February 13, 2013 at 1:26 pm

Whoever designed that website sucks at SEO (looking at you Wes).

I would have fired you ass a long time ago. One cheater cant afford to be associated with another.

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SC78 February 13, 2013 at 2:48 pm

It’s about time someone called out Wes for this… Pathetic.

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SC78 February 13, 2013 at 1:48 pm

It’s about time someone called out Wes for this… Pathetic.

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Drudge February 13, 2013 at 2:56 pm

So he hired the guy that covered for him in Argentina, Joel Sawyer, and the guy that turned him into the press, Wesley Donehue. That’s “leadership” right there, or is it desperation? 

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K.Mann February 13, 2013 at 5:18 pm

I am pretty sure that it was Donahue’s company (Donahue Direct?) that was chosen to do some publicity work, like fliers, etc., not the man himself, as consultant. Regardless of which, I don’t see what the big deal is. Candidates have to hire someone for that sort of thing, and Donahue’s company is supposed to be pretty good. Based on Sanford’s reputation as a “cash conservationist” (tightwad), it wouldn’t surprise me if Donahue gave the lowest bid.

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You're joking right? February 13, 2013 at 5:32 pm

No, I’m pretty sure Sanford is what we call, desperate. His wife turned him down, his old political consultants turned him down… what’s a guy to do? Hire a slimy, dishonest consultant like Wesley Donehue. Donehue is the opposite of cheap. Expensive is more appropriate. Move along now.

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give forgiveness to get ? February 13, 2013 at 7:51 pm

Time to find out how much of a team player mistress-fiancee is…she was a Poli Sci major at University after all, and it’s not like he is asking her to birth his babies or anything. Oh that’s right, he’s putting THIS relationship on a pedestal. Anyway, she’s probably too busy diversifying her Argentine portfolio with a piece of real estate in the DC area.

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K.Mann February 14, 2013 at 1:13 am

It’s kind of funny really to see that when you give grown men anonymity, they behave like teenage girls gossiping about who’s hooked up with whom and, incidentally, using the same sorts of ho and gay insults. The dynamic is the same and invariably indicates some degree of envy or jealousy. Wesley must be doing pretty well for you all to jump on him like this.
Earlier I said Donahue did pretty good work. I was being restrained in my compliments. The reason I even know who the guy is, is b/c I took the time to find out who was behind the really eye-catching political lit out there, and in the majority of the cases it was DonahueDirect. That’s the basis on which McCrory hired him & is likely why Sanford did.

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R. Jude February 14, 2013 at 9:03 am

Donahue may be pretty good at design but search Sanford for Congress on Google and see how long it takes you to find his website. It may look flashy but that does not matter if you can not find it.

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SC1 February 13, 2013 at 6:08 pm

Kaaren, Wes DonEhue is not a cheap consultant firm by anymeans. This is a big deal, thing the guy that turned in Sanford and ruined his political career is now advising him…WOWZERS!

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K.Mann February 14, 2013 at 2:45 am

I guess wowzers is in the eye of the beholder. Call me emotionally detached, but I buy a product or service based upon quality & price, not based on my affection for the business owner.

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Drudge February 13, 2013 at 1:56 pm

So he hired the guy that covered for him in Argentina, Joel Sawyer, and the guy that turned him into the press, Wesley Donehue. That’s “leadership” right there, or is it desperation? 

Reply
K.Mann February 13, 2013 at 4:18 pm

I am pretty sure that it was Donahue’s company (Donahue Direct?) that was chosen to do some publicity work, like fliers, etc., not the man himself, as consultant. Regardless of which, I don’t see what the big deal is. Candidates have to hire someone for that sort of thing, and Donahue’s company is supposed to be pretty good. Based on Sanford’s reputation as a “cash conservationist” (tightwad), it wouldn’t surprise me if Donahue gave the lowest bid.

Reply
You're joking right? February 13, 2013 at 4:32 pm

No, I’m pretty sure Sanford is what we call, desperate. His wife turned him down, his old political consultants turned him down… what’s a guy to do? Hire a slimy, dishonest consultant like Wesley Donehue. Donehue is the opposite of cheap. Expensive is more appropriate. Move along now.

Reply
give forgiveness to get ? February 13, 2013 at 6:51 pm

Time to find out how much of a team player mistress-fiancee is…she was a Poli Sci major at University after all, and it’s not like he is asking her to birth his babies or anything. Oh that’s right, he’s putting THIS relationship on a pedestal. Anyway, she’s probably too busy diversifying her Argentine portfolio with a piece of real estate in the DC area.

Reply
K.Mann February 14, 2013 at 12:13 am

It’s kind of funny really to see that when you give grown men anonymity, they behave like teenage girls gossiping about who’s hooked up with whom and, incidentally, using the same sorts of ho and gay insults. The dynamic is the same and invariably indicates some degree of envy or jealousy. Wesley must be doing pretty well for you all to jump on him like this.
Earlier I said Donahue did pretty good work. I was being restrained in my compliments. The reason I even know who the guy is, is b/c I took the time to find out who was behind the really eye-catching political lit out there, and in the majority of the cases it was DonahueDirect. That’s the basis on which McCrory hired him & is likely why Sanford did.

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R. Jude February 14, 2013 at 8:03 am

Donahue may be pretty good at design but search Sanford for Congress on Google and see how long it takes you to find his website. It may look flashy but that does not matter if you can not find it.

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SC1 February 13, 2013 at 5:08 pm

Kaaren, Wes DonEhue is not a cheap consultant firm by anymeans. This is a big deal, thing the guy that turned in Sanford and ruined his political career is now advising him…WOWZERS!

Reply
K.Mann February 14, 2013 at 1:45 am

I guess wowzers is in the eye of the beholder. Call me emotionally detached, but I buy a product or service based upon quality & price, not based on my affection for the business owner.

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Nana Bunchin February 13, 2013 at 3:47 pm

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Or is this Sanford continuing with his image rehab with a guy who is his biggest critic and can keep Sanford’s narcissism in check? Hey, there is a method to that madness!

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Nana Bunchin February 13, 2013 at 2:47 pm

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Or is this Sanford continuing with his image rehab with a guy who is his biggest critic and can keep Sanford’s narcissism in check? Hey, there is a method to that madness!

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Buz Martin February 13, 2013 at 3:58 pm

To call this guy a whore would be to seriously slander those who work the world’s oldest profession.

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K.Mann February 14, 2013 at 2:02 am

Very original insult.

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Boz Martin February 13, 2013 at 2:58 pm

To call this guy a whore would be to seriously slander those who work the world’s oldest profession.

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K.Mann February 14, 2013 at 1:02 am

Very original insult.

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TRUTH February 13, 2013 at 4:23 pm

Yeah, since John Lerner and Chris Drummond turned him down, he had to turn to the guy that leaked him to the press re Argentina. That’s rich!

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TRUTH February 13, 2013 at 3:23 pm

Yeah, since John Lerner and Chris Drummond turned him down, he had to turn to the guy that leaked him to the press re Argentina. That’s rich!

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Sailor February 13, 2013 at 5:27 pm

The guy looks like someone shoved a stick up his ass!

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Sailor February 13, 2013 at 4:27 pm

The guy looks like someone shoved a stick up his ass!

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turdy February 13, 2013 at 6:27 pm

Donehue is A Christian in name only as well

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turdy February 13, 2013 at 5:27 pm

Donehue is A Christian in name only as well

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bogart February 13, 2013 at 7:25 pm

As Sanford would say,OVER and OVER again,you don’t judge a person by his best or worst day,God can use imperfect people,the people of SC are forgiving,etc,etc,. Bottom line, Sanford is human shit so how can he falt someone for telling the truth?

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bogart February 13, 2013 at 6:25 pm

As Sanford would say,OVER and OVER again,you don’t judge a person by his best or worst day,God can use imperfect people,the people of SC are forgiving,etc,etc,. Bottom line, Sanford is human shit so how can he falt someone for telling the truth?

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Mark February 13, 2013 at 9:59 pm

Wes is a pathological case. He loves to talk about God but will do anything to make a buck. Is married but is gay. Calls himself a republican but savages them at every chance.

Truth is Sanford probably did not hire him. He was probably hired by an affiliate group that is paying the bill (and they have a prior relationship). These professional politicians like Sanford know how to leverage hidden cash.

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Mark February 13, 2013 at 8:59 pm

Wes is a pathological case. He loves to talk about God but will do anything to make a buck. Is married but is gay. Calls himself a republican but savages them at every chance.

Truth is Sanford probably did not hire him. He was probably hired by an affiliate group that is paying the bill (and they have a prior relationship). These professional politicians like Sanford know how to leverage hidden cash.

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Rhett Beauregard February 14, 2013 at 12:05 am

I can speak only to what I know and have observed. I know Wes, to be a Christian. A Christian like every other, an imperfect sinner. I believe he he truly loves his “smokin hot” wife above ANY other person. And, I believe it is shameful and wrong that so many of you are attacking him, when you probably turn right around and ask him for a favor.

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I Know February 14, 2013 at 8:41 am

That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen on here. How do you know Wesley Donehue is lying? Because his lips are moving. The guy has serious problems. And I’m speaking from experience here.

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Rhett Beauregard February 13, 2013 at 11:05 pm

I can speak only to what I know and have observed. I know Wes, to be a Christian. A Christian like every other, an imperfect sinner. I believe he he truly loves his “smokin hot” wife above ANY other person. And, I believe it is shameful and wrong that so many of you are attacking him, when you probably turn right around and ask him for a favor.

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I Know February 14, 2013 at 7:41 am

That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen on here. How do you know Wesley Donehue is lying? Because his lips are moving. The guy has serious problems. And I’m speaking from experience here.

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nitrat February 14, 2013 at 12:26 am

leadership???
from Mark Sanford???
Anyone who worked for a cabinet agency while this twerp was governor knows he was as completely disinterested in what was going on in cabinet agencies. You call that leadership?
The fact they all exploded less than 2 years after he left office indicates he did not have a clue and cared less about what was going on during his “watch”. You call that leadership?
Ass. Lying, hypocritical ass.

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Dick February 14, 2013 at 10:04 am

Exactly. Not only is he a large piece of shit, but as governor he was a terrible leader and accomplished nothing.

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nitrat February 13, 2013 at 11:26 pm

leadership???
from Mark Sanford???
Anyone who worked for a cabinet agency while this twerp was governor knows he was as completely disinterested in what was going on in cabinet agencies. You call that leadership?
The fact they all exploded less than 2 years after he left office indicates he did not have a clue and cared less about what was going on during his “watch”. You call that leadership?
Ass. Lying, hypocritical ass.

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Dick February 14, 2013 at 9:04 am

Exactly. Not only is he a large piece of shit, but as governor he was a terrible leader and accomplished nothing.

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John Osborne February 14, 2013 at 2:02 am

I’m still trying to figure out how this is news and not a hit piece.. This is what happens when you have sixteen candidates and everyone wants a piece of the pie.

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John Osborne February 14, 2013 at 1:02 am

I’m still trying to figure out how this is news and not a hit piece.. This is what happens when you have sixteen candidates and everyone wants a piece of the pie.

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BigT February 14, 2013 at 8:54 am

Political incest at its ugliest. “Consultants” are the bane of the GOP and they are allowing the failed democrats to win even when they are a disaster to America….

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BigT February 14, 2013 at 7:54 am

Political incest at its ugliest. “Consultants” are the bane of the GOP and they are allowing the failed democrats to win even when they are a disaster to America….

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Amen mdavt February 14, 2013 at 10:00 am

Erick from RedState endorses Sanford but his posters for the most part, don’t let him get away with it. My favorite comment from mdavt is “Forgiveness does not mean restoring the fallen to positions of power and
influence, but merely allowing them to be contributing members of a
forgiving community.”

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Amen mdavt February 14, 2013 at 9:00 am

Erick from RedState endorses Sanford but his posters for the most part, don’t let him get away with it. My favorite comment from mdavt is “Forgiveness does not mean restoring the fallen to positions of power and
influence, but merely allowing them to be contributing members of a
forgiving community.”

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try, try again February 14, 2013 at 10:18 am

From what I have read here Donehue and Sanford might be two of a kind in terms of their use of Christianity, so I guess no chance that he would advise Sanford to stop jettisoning every appearance and interview with his Grace of God commentary? Erick at RS endorses Sanford but his posters would not let him get away with it. One poster stated “Forgiveness does not mean restoring the fallen to positions of power and
influence, but merely allowing them to be contributing members of a
forgiving community.”

Reply
try, try again February 14, 2013 at 9:18 am

From what I have read here Donehue and Sanford might be two of a kind in terms of their use of Christianity, so I guess no chance that he would advise Sanford to stop jettisoning every appearance and interview with his Grace of God commentary? Erick at RS endorses Sanford but his posters would not let him get away with it. One poster stated “Forgiveness does not mean restoring the fallen to positions of power and
influence, but merely allowing them to be contributing members of a
forgiving community.”

Reply
Patrick Arnold February 15, 2013 at 1:49 pm

If you see someone posting comments about the character of others with an anonymous handle, they’re either a troll or coward. Only an idiot would give them audience. They feel pretty noble, that’s because no one tells them the truth: no one cares except the desperate and jealous. Thank you Internet.
As a complete cynic of politics, consultants, and human beings in general- here’s an honest take: I’ve worked with and for scores of consultants, including Wesley. People hate on him because his name is out there, he’s beat them, or they can’t stand someone who wears a bow tie. Never forget, this is an industry that roots for failure. If someone wrote about your career with that bias, how fair would you think it?
Wes is good at his trade, loyal to his friends and stabbed in the back by those who claim to be. I don’t work with Wes anymore and I sign my name by my opinion.

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Patrick L. Arnold February 15, 2013 at 12:49 pm

If you see someone posting comments about the character of others with an anonymous handle, they’re either a troll or coward. Only an idiot would give them audience. They feel pretty noble, that’s because no one tells them the truth: no one cares except the desperate and jealous. Thank you Internet.
As a complete cynic of politics, consultants, and human beings in general- here’s an honest take: I’ve worked with and for scores of consultants, including Wesley. People hate on him because his name is out there, he’s beat them, or they can’t stand someone who wears a bow tie. Never forget, this is an industry that roots for failure. If someone wrote about your career with that bias, how fair would you think it?
Wes is good at his trade, loyal to his friends and stabbed in the back by those who claim to be. I don’t work with Wes anymore and I sign my name by my opinion.

Reply
Cal Fire News March 26, 2013 at 1:05 am

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer….

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CAL FIRE NEWS March 26, 2013 at 1:05 am

Keep your friends close, your enemies closer….

Reply

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