SC

Mark Sanford’s 6.59 Percent Problem

IS THE “LUV GOV” VULNERABLE? By FITSNEWS  ||  After winning a grueling special election in 2013, U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford won 93.4 percent of the vote this November to claim a full two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The former two-term South Carolina governor – who saw his 2012…

IS THE “LUV GOV” VULNERABLE?

By FITSNEWS  ||  After winning a grueling special election in 2013, U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford won 93.4 percent of the vote this November to claim a full two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The former two-term South Carolina governor – who saw his 2012 presidential aspirations derailed by scandal – completed a remarkable political comeback last May, winning the special election for the congressional seat he held from 1995-2001.

Sanford scored another win when he drew neither primary nor general election opposition this November (not even a third-party challenge).  In other words he was a lock to head back to Washington, D.C. in January 2015.

Good news, right?

Eh … maybe not.  A closer look at Sanford’s 2014 win reveals a potential problem for the “Luv Gov” – and not just the ethical issues associated with his 2010 collaboration with former ally (now nemesis) Nikki Haley.

A total of 8,423 voters wrote in a name other than Sanford on their 2014 ballots this month – or 6.59 percent of the electorate.  This concentration of write-in votes was especially high in Charleston County, where nearly 10 percent of voters wrote in someone other than Sanford.  While write-in voting is typically higher in races where a major party candidate is running unopposed, Sanford’s write-in opposition dwarfed the percentages put up against unopposed GOP candidates at the statewide level – Treasurer Curtis Loftis (1.25 percent) and Adjutant General Bob Livingston (1.03 percent).

What gives?  Well, let’s start with the obvious …

Two months ago, Sanford reminded voters of why they don’t like him – a widely publicized personal implosion that highlighted his chronic narcissism and questionable mental health.  Not only that Sanford’s breakup with former fiancee Maria Belen Chapur – the woman he famously referred to as his “soul mate” when he was caught cheating with her in 2009 – also struck many as evidence of a diabolical degree of political calculation on his part.

Seriously … voters were willing to forgive Sanford for cheating on his wife so long as they believed it was for “true love.”  But when Chapur got kicked to the curb via a nauseatingly introspective 2,400-word Facebook post, well … their patience with Sanford grew thin.  Again.

Things got even worse for Sanford when rumors circulated that another “other woman” – specifically the wife of a wealthy Savannah, Georgia businessman – was to blame for the breakup.

A Lowcountry political operative told FITS Sanford’s electoral prospects have been harmed by his latest implosion – and the elevated level of write-in opposition is evidence of his weakened position.

“People who gave him a second chance feel let down,” the operative told FITS, adding that a credible, well-funded candidate could give Sanford a “run for his money” in 2016.

The operative added that Sanford’s problems would be compounded if this credible, well-funded opponent were a woman.

You don’t say …

Many establishment “Republicans” (and limited government backers) are jointly pushing precisely such a candidate – S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) director Catherine Templeton.  It’s not clear if the former Lowcountry lawyer is interested in running for Congress (some say she has her eye on the Governor’s Mansion in 2018), but it is clear she would be a formidable opponent in the event she jumped into the race.

Working in Sanford’s favor?  Time.

“Voters have short memories,” the operative told us – adding that Sanford still excels in fundraising and retail politics.

Additionally the governor – despite his many personal problems – continues to occupy a position on the right flank of the GOP’s shrinking ideological spectrum when it comes to freedom and free markets.  That’s solid gold real estate based on the emerging ideological direction of the country.

Working against Sanford?  Himself.

“If he locks himself in his office and somebody handcuffs themselves to him – and chaperones him to the floor to vote – then the (first district seat) is his for life,” one of Sanford’s D.C. colleagues told FITS bluntly.  “But we all know Mark isn’t going to do that.  He can’t help himself.”

Indeed …

But if he wants to hang onto his congressional seat – and the slim chance he could elevate his comeback to another level – he had better learn to take a firmer grip on himself.

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

***

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50 comments

GrandTango November 19, 2014 at 1:23 pm

LMAO….”Write in” against Sanford got more votes than Ravenel or Ervin, and they likely paid FITS thousands to “Consult” for them….Hahahaha…..

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tim ANDERSON November 19, 2014 at 1:28 pm

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Jackie Chiles November 19, 2014 at 1:53 pm

What if I don’t have an internet connection?

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Smirks November 19, 2014 at 2:20 pm

Just bum off the neighbor’s WiFi.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 19, 2014 at 1:53 pm

Tim,
Sorry to break it to you but GT already earns extra income at home.

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Jackie Chiles November 19, 2014 at 5:00 pm

Who knew ISIS was recruiting suicide bombers on Fits?

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Smirks November 19, 2014 at 1:53 pm

Higher percentage, but not more votes.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 19, 2014 at 1:55 pm

Math is hard.

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Same ol' Same ol' November 19, 2014 at 3:55 pm

Don’t be racist with all that hard math. We only expect a common core approximation. Wait, that word is racist… I meant guess.
Next thing you know you’ll be expecting us to know the difference between median and average.
No one cares about Sanford, or his seat, that’s fairly obvious.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 19, 2014 at 4:06 pm

YOU try to explain the differences between mean, median and mode to Tango. That’s waaaay above TBG’s paygrade.

Smirks November 19, 2014 at 5:54 pm

“You see Tango, when you get $200 in food stamps, Tyrone gets $300 in food stamps, and Jethro gets $500 in food stamps, the median is Tyrone because he’s in the middle.”

guest November 19, 2014 at 2:04 pm

Yep. $4,000,000 bought Ervin 11,000 votes. What is that, bout $360 a vote?
IF he advertised on Fits or paid him a consulting fee, he was stupid as hell.
Give a Democrat voter a ’40’, a hit of crack and pack of smokes and ya damn bought their vote-$15 bucks.

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Dan Ruck November 19, 2014 at 1:34 pm

Oh, who cares?

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guest November 19, 2014 at 1:43 pm

No worries Dan. Fits will put up another story about perverted gay marriage and get ya’ll excited later today.

Stay tuned.

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Smirks November 19, 2014 at 1:51 pm

You seem to be the one stuck on gay marriage.

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guest November 19, 2014 at 1:57 pm

Right on cue-the resident queer, Smirks.

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Smirks November 19, 2014 at 2:16 pm

Well, it’s true, isn’t it? You’re the one bringing it up in unrelated posts.

SCBlues November 19, 2014 at 3:00 pm

“Well, it’s true, isn’t it?”
It is always the holier-than-thou ones that are obsessed with and rail against homosexuality that are the biggest perverts.

Republican Follies November 19, 2014 at 3:12 pm

That’s one of the best aspects of the whole Gay marriage issue.

Watching it drive a Right Wing nut like this crazy!

Hairy November 20, 2014 at 7:11 am

you said nut…ha ha….ha ha….

Fan Duck November 19, 2014 at 2:29 pm

Isn’t that the truth! Out of nowhere comes this little goober and right off the bat he gets all sanctimonious.

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Clarendonian November 19, 2014 at 1:43 pm

The guy is batshit crazy.

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The Colonel November 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm

There are always tons of write in votes, particularly when the is a single unopposed candidate. I personally write in two three names every election when I either don’t like any of the candidates or have a problem with who ever’s running unopposed.

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guest November 19, 2014 at 2:16 pm

Sanford owns that SC1 house seat. He can’t be defeated. How is it possible (outside of GT,Bible Thumper,Rouge and a couple of others) that Fits has managed to attract a group of contributors that couldn’t back a winning political candidate if you told em the final vote count a day before the election?

Even ‘The Colonel’ gets it now. :-)

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E Norma Scok November 19, 2014 at 2:30 pm

I do find it a bit ironic that someone who speaks of Sanford’s “questionable mental health” has a much publicized CDV on their record, and continually speaks of an (alleged)self reported, conspicuous (during campaign season no less) tryst with our current governor, as well as at any available chance reminding everyone of his other past sexual conquests.

Who is it that’s crazy?

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Don't forger Jenny November 19, 2014 at 2:31 pm

6.59 plus the ex-wife. Ain’t looking too good for Mark.. Hang on Thomas, two years and your playmate will be back on the farm.

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roberto di camerino November 19, 2014 at 2:33 pm

‘a widely publicized personal implosion that highlighted his chronic narcissism and questionable mental health.’
Seriously? Did he have sex with “that woman” and soiled her blue dress?

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Republican Follies November 19, 2014 at 2:35 pm

He’s a very typical Republican really.

What’s the Big Deal?

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FastEddy23 November 19, 2014 at 9:37 pm

Yeah, so what? Heterosexual, good looking … He could even be a democrat and still get away with it …

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SCBlues November 20, 2014 at 5:19 am

“Heterosexual, good looking ”
Get a room!

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barney fife November 19, 2014 at 2:54 pm

Really? That was about 2 minutes of my life I won’t get back. What a waste of time. what a waste of effort.

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CNSYD November 19, 2014 at 3:00 pm

If Templeton is interested in either Gov or 1st District Congress, how is she going to carry out either office from her Charleston home or has she planning on the applicable capital relocating to her?

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aikencounty November 19, 2014 at 3:35 pm

With place has the closest liquor store?

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Sanford Sucks November 19, 2014 at 3:29 pm

No one cares, the Republicans will continue to vote for the Lying, cheating, crook till the cows come home. Like Mulvaney he is there for the gubment check, the gubment health care and the gubment retirement. The taxpayers have paid this guy a couple of million bucks over the past 20 years for absolutely nothing, and he will continue to take as long as the taxpayers are willing to give.

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No thanks November 19, 2014 at 3:47 pm

Only in FITS and Templeton’s minds is she a viable candidate and Mark’s vulnerable. Good luck with that. This post is laughable.

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nitrat November 19, 2014 at 3:53 pm

I just wish the carpet bagging voters in SC1 would go back from whence they came and let the natives take care of the carpet bagging Sanford.
He would go back from whence he came, too.

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Behind the lace curtain November 19, 2014 at 3:53 pm

Who is the new love in Mark’s life? Or did he reconnect with the Argentine secretly after the election?

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History Repeats November 19, 2014 at 6:50 pm

Meeting in secret is their specialty… heightens the excitement! Things had gotten a bit mundane. Plus now there is the specter of another, other woman. Time for the “pick me” dance, er tango. Wonder what is left in Chapter’s arsenal?

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pardon November 19, 2014 at 7:16 pm

Chapur was more dangling participle clause than Chapter.

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sparklecity November 19, 2014 at 5:20 pm

Fuck a bunch of Mark “Shirker” Sanfraud is what I say!!!!!

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RHood2 November 19, 2014 at 5:33 pm

“’Voters have short memories,’ the operative told us – adding that Sanford still excels in fundraising and retail politics.”
Is the “operative” suggesting Sanford will benefit from the stupidity of the American voter????? (As if he hasn’t already?)

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Native Ink November 19, 2014 at 6:47 pm

Dimitri Cherney ran as a write-in candidate against Sanford. Cherney had signs all over Charleston. I wrote in his name and I’m sure a lot of others did too. So anyway, there’s the answer. A write-in candidate with a lot of signs. I’m surprised only 10% of the voters wrote in his name.

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bogart November 19, 2014 at 8:48 pm

Sanford is a lying,cheating,POS…….in other words, a SC voter’s wet dream.

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K.Mann November 20, 2014 at 3:47 am

Has anyone bothered to notice that the judge in the Sanford case saw no merit to Jenny Sanford’s goofy requests for a guardian ad litem to protect her 16 year old’s innocence, a psychiatric evaluation of her former husband, or an intervention for her ex’s supposed abuse of “drugs”.. what? antacids? Hers was one of the oldest tricks in the book (of unscrupulous lawyers) of smearing someone without actually accusing him.. I’m glad she was rebuked.

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guest November 20, 2014 at 8:20 am

Where’s the story on this?

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bite judge in a$$ November 20, 2014 at 8:35 am

Guardian ad Litem would have removed Jenny from any contact with Sanford. Highly desirable. Her request for psych eval unfounded? We all know the answer to that…. Judge probably acknowledged the counseling and treatment he was already getting from the C-Street gurus. Excessive use of alcohol/abuse of drugs- standard admonishment that applied to both parents as custodians of a minor.bite

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Tazmaniac November 20, 2014 at 8:35 am

Fits I don’t think your going to be happy until you get Mark, Nikki, and Maria into a hotel room and just have yourself an all-nighter. Don’t forget to invite Jenny so you can snap a leg off to pick your with.

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Godslayer November 20, 2014 at 11:43 am

This is who T-Rav should have run against.

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Ralph Hightower November 20, 2014 at 6:56 pm

I did the same when Joe Wilson ran unopposed two years ago. He got something like 96% of the vote. Joe’s not a leader; he’s a follower. He follows whatever trend will get him elected again.

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Christian LeBlanc November 20, 2014 at 7:54 pm

I think Sanford is Aspergery, and is never going to exhibit the social/personal skills of other politicians.

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