Sanford Gives In On Stimulus, Will Seek Funds For South Carolina

McClatchy:

Gov. Mark Sanford will comply with a midnight Friday stimulus deadline and become the last governor in the nation to seek millions of dollars in federal economic-recovery funds for his state, aides said late Thursday.

Sanford will continue contesting $700 million in education and law enforcement money for South Carolina, but his 11th-hour move to meet the deadline buys time for schools fearing mass teacher layoffs and draconian cuts.

Read the whole story: McClatchy

Comments

[tajitj]

You can listen to Sanford explain his position here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlhLwV51WxI

Watch, then give your opinion instead of reading two paragraphs here. I bet most of you did not even go read the rest of the story at McKlatchy.

To me he makes sense. America is now trying to pay down our individual debt because we are trying to look to the future. Why is that such an evil thing to so many on here? Am I un American because I am not doing my part spending some extra dough to help the economy?

[bethel1974]

Read the CharlotteObserver.com. Todays report is he only did this to buy himself some time for the money has to be implemented. He has until September 10th to use the money. He has until July 1st before his budget has to be submitted. The Republican legislature has already included the $700 million in the budget but Sanford has not. They are angry at Sanford because his delay will cause Police, Fireman and Teachers to be laid off. Sanford has control of the $700 million but he wants to pay down DECADES old debt with it. Now what since does that make pay down prior debt with new debt. I guarantee you some friends of his has a debt with the state and he wants to BAIL them out with the bailout money. Instead of just imposing a higher gas tax or tourism tax or something to pay off past debt. He still has two major highways running through his state (I-95 and I-85) to which if you drive you have to use to get to Florida or Atlanta Ga. Also, bike rally in Myrtle Beach brings over 500,000 people every year. I just don't understand???????????

[mitsie]

Sanford kiss your butt goodby in the next election

[dimplesmile7]

Hey Sanford, whose the daddy?

[carnelld]

Sanford is not the smartest governor. He is a throw back to the "old south mentality".

His type likes to keep his feet on the necks of the poor.

[Ron1951]

so who was forced? Sanford got his time in the spotlight and can now keep positioning himself for 2012. But most voters around the country will not accept the same heartless performance that South Carolinians seem willing to accept.

[nomobull]

oh please it was the national gop applauding him. the sc gop were the ones who said i don't think so governor. and most of us in sc don't like him.

[DrBillo1]

oh man!-the rock of Principles gives in and pretends like he was forced to--what a GOP slug! are there any classy GOPunks anywhere???

[judesuper]

Typical.

[learntofly]

Weak, weak, weak excuse for a governor.

[BillN]

Another republican compromising his "principles" for the sake of money?
No story here.
Move along.

[shaboopus]

All that talk! I knew all the time he was a little bee-itch!

[Francis99]

The devil made me do it, honest.

[hapaglloyd]

I think South Carolina will eventually turn blue or at least purple over the next ten years. I predicted it happening in North Carolina from way back in the early 1990s when Jessie Helms ,the segregationist republican senator beat the Democrat, the African American Mayor of Charlotte by just over 5 points. South Carolina has the second largest black population---around 30%-- of any state,only Mississippi has a higher number. Furthermore ,many retirees from New York New Jersey and further east are moving to the state's coast. Colombia has a large progressive population. I think it will happen,the numbers are against the Republicans.

[ADinSC]

It will be a while before it goes blue. The thing about those retirees from the Northeast is that a lot of them are not exactly "progressive". Maybe by local standards they are, but a good proportion of them are republicans.

[hapaglloyd]

I agree that the reirees from New York and New England may not be progressives , If they are Republican they are not the die-hard ,confederate flag-waving ,fire and brimstone yelling evangelist types found in South Carolina. They are better educated,richer ,and more pragmatic-- the Jacob Javits , Rockerfeller types . It will happen over time.

[bitterinsc]

I hope you are right, but my fear is that our best and brightest (and most progressive) young people are leaving for greener (and bluer) pastures, which will only solidify the repug base of the uneducated, ignorant, and bigoted. Large black population, it is true, but here the majority has spent hundreds of years figuring ways to repress the minority (latest scheme is requiring picture ID to vote). Libertarian bent as to many of the whites, especially those with actual or pretend ancestors who fought for "states rights" and still fly the confederate flag in the front yard. If Sanford's refusal to take last $700 million leads to more layoffs, it seems like the flight could accelerate.

[hapaglloyd]

Many southern republican governors dont believe in education --with the exception of Governor Frist from Florida. Also many of these republicans think President Obama is soft-- he is well educated, and gentlemanly. They thought they could push him over---how wrong they are ,he is tougher than all of them combined. The GM president must have been in shock when Obama fired him. The republicans are in some big surprises--Obama will crush them. Oh I am enjoying this. PS Sanford is an i.diot.

[Topfeeder]

He looks like Droopy Dog.

[medici]

That's an insult to Droopy Dog.