Sanford's Hiking Trail Got Stimulus Money He Opposed

Gov. Mark Sanford has spent a good part of South Carolina's past legislative session railing against, and even actively turning down, portions of Barack Obama's stimulus package. And when the session ended with Sanford losing his fight to reject $700 million in federal stimulus cash, he abruptly disappeared. Few people knew where he went.

Several days later, it was revealed that the 2012 presidential hopeful was in the midst of a mind-clearing jaunt through the Appalachian Trail, hoping to do some writing after a stressful few months. But even removed from South Carolina politics, the governor couldn't escape the stimulus.

The economic recovery package enacted by Obama includes money that will help improve the trail on which Sanford has been hiking.

In late April, the U.S. Department of Interior said that $750 million in stimulus cash would be spent on more than 750 projects at national parks across the United States. The total included $650,000 for enhancing the Appalachian Trail. News reports show that $25,000 of those funds will be dedicated towards relocating two miles of the trail in Virginia. How much money will go to the Georgia portion -- where Sanford likely is -- isn't immediately clear.

So even as Sanford enjoys the scenic beauty of the woods, he hasn't removed himself too far from the national political debate. And if the public relations fallout from his sudden disappearance becomes problematic, he can always say he was doing first-hand research on the impact of the stimulus.

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Comments

[VicksieDo]

you can't write this stuff, it just writes itself! LOL

[TLThomas]

So, if he's hiking on the Appalachian Trail, why did his cellphone ping in Georgia? Very interestin­g...

[frantaylor]

Maybe you need to look at a map and see that its southern terminus is in Georgia.

[learntofly]

There are at least 3 direct routes to the AT from Columbia, SC. Why did Sanford travel hundreds of miles out of the way through Atlanta?

Also, Jenny & the boys were at Sullivan's Island. Sanford was already in Columbia (100+ miles to the northwest) - Jenny said that Mark had to get away from the family for a while to write something. Well, he was ALREADY over 100 miles away from his family. Doesn't make sense.

[cactusgal]

The only thing left for him to do is stumble into an abandoned well and be fished out by a passel of moonshiners who have their way with him.

[Republicrats]

So what? How is that money stimulative? The trails are kept clear by volunteers, he is a man of principle and worried about federal encroachmant on states responsibilities, as we all should be....

[frantaylor]

The tools and equipment do not volunteer themselves, they need to be paid for.

[Phoebe917]

south carolina has one of the highest poverty rates in the country. also, they have some of the highest rates of high school drop-outs. it has the second highest unemployment rate. this guy needs to take care of his constituents. obviously, he is not living up to his "states responsibilities". running off to wherever to ponder what's going on in his simple mind doesn't quite cut it. his constituents must loathe him.

[georgiaeliot]

taking public school money in SC means (gasp) schools for blacks....­Sanford's kids go to private schools, the South's answer to desegregation.

[LemJ]

Yes we do. I live in South Carolina and I am so glad we got the stimulus money in spite of our fool for a governor.

[Coinyer101]

lmao. Alex Costelannos, repub strategist on CNN, just pointed out that it was nude-hiking day ,on Friday. He also suggested he'd like to know where the Gov. is planting his tent-pole. lmfao!

[on2them]

friday, sunday, whatever, he is obviously not getting enough 'stimulus' at home...hah­ahahahahha­!

[on2them]

even funnier...

Sunday was "Naked Hiking Day" on the Appalachian Trail.

I kid you not!

[Matthias Cooke]

This story is a waste of time to even be talking about. Mostly because the media and others have misinterpreted the whole situation and are reporting it inaccurately. Go figure. And mainly it's a waste of time because somehow people think that it was strange or something for him to take a break and not tell anyone. I'm sure a job such as being governor can take its toll. I shouldn't even have to say this, but cut the guy some slack. I doubt this will hurt chances of wanting to be president if he harbors any.

[Coinyer101]

lol. He should tell someone where he is, at all times, whether leader of a state or a nation. He will never be President after this one. lmao

[swp]

Gee Matt, next time you're in this galaxy stop by for a cuppa and a brain transplant.

[zizizzi]

So are you saying that YOU know the facts then??? Do tell...

[Rmath]

Well, well..the GOP poster boy for fiscal responsibility has been found with his snout buried in a pile of pork!

[historymatters]

Delicious irony!

[Patman1952]

The man is a clown...he has done more to denigrate the image of S.C. than any other modern public official. As a SC Progressive, I hope that he limits the "duh" factor (which he is famous for) for his last 18 months as a lame duck...

[Mark Twaine]

So you're a SC Progressive? Welcome to the 1950's!

Seriously, good to read your comments.

[LegallyPalin]

So let me get this straight. He ditched his wife and kids on father's day to go hiking? Is that about right? And this clown wants to run for president? Hilarious!

[ywcachieve]

Sounds like Geo Bush went on vacation with his father when his daughter Jenna was in the hospital getting her appendix removed.

[mikesnl]

His wife said he went away to write, his staff says
he went away to walk. You'd think they would have
had their lies synchronized.

[VOTER]

This is just PERFECT!

SANFORD IS A GONER!

[Andrea Soule]

Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, sort of like when all the teabaggers held their parties at public parks built with tax dollars...

Mmmmm.

[skymuffin]

Probably drove on a publicly funded road to get there...