By Scott Miller
Published July 1, 2009
Some state leaders appear ready to write off the next 18 months and prepare for the next gubernatorial election in 2010.
The calls for Gov. Mark Sanford’s resignation are growing amid concerns of his ability to lead the state during the remaining 18 months of his term.
The alternative is Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer.
“While Sanford is a lame duck, I believe that Andre Bauer would be even more of a lame duck because 18 months is not enough time to organize a new administration,” said Republican House Speaker Pro Tem Harry Cato.
Cato also noted that the General Assembly is really the guiding voice for South Carolina anyway, not the governor.
But several Republican Senators have signed a letter calling for Sanford’s resignation, saying he “has imposed a crisis upon our state.”
The letter was signed by Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman, General Committee Chairman Thomas Alexander and Sens. Larry Martin, Paul Campbell Jr., Jake Knotts Jr. and William O’Dell. Republican Sens. Kevin Bryant and Larry Grooms also called on Sanford to resign.
“He has lost the trust of the people and the legislature to lead our state through historically difficult times,” they said. “South Carolina has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Tens of thousands of South Carolinians cannot find jobs. Necessary budget cuts have weakened public education and other vital services. We must have strong leadership from a governor who is focused and trusted.”
State Democrats also have called for Sanford to resign.
“State officials seem unable to do anything except worry and talk about Gov. Sanford's extramarital affair, which we learn more about every few hours,” said S.C. Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler. “Every day that is spent not focused on the issues that matter the most to our state, particularly jobs and education, is another day that our state suffers.”
If Sanford resigns, the focus will shift to Bauer.
Peeler said Bauer has the personality to be a proactive leader, not just a caretaker serving until the next governor is elected.
“With his experience in the legislature he would have a head start with that,” Peeler said, responding to charges that Bauer wouldn’t have the time to put an effective administration in place. “He has a lot of friends in the legislature, and we would certainly help him with that.”
“I think Andre Bauer would do a fine job. He’d listen to advice,” Peeler said. “I think the state would be in good hands with Andre Bauer.”
Martin said uncertainties about Bauer’s leadership abilities are less bothersome than the credibility issues surrounding Sanford. He also warned people not to underestimate Bauer.
“I have underestimated and written him off, as have a lot of other folks, and he has just risen up,” Martin said, referring to Bauer’s re-election as lieutenant governor.
“My pragmatism tells me that we’ve got to go with the hand that’s dealt us,” he said. “I think everybody is a little bit ambivalent about Andre taking over, but I believe Andre will give the people of South Carolina his best effort. I believe he will spend a great deal of effort recruiting industry to South Carolina. I don’t believe he’ll be an adversarial government as we have seen in Gov. Sanford,” Martin said.
Bauer must do more than “manage the status quo” if Sanford resigns, Martin said.
Regardless of who is in charge, Otis Rawl, president and CEO of the state Chamber of Commerce, said the state should avoid any major legislative action until a new governor is elected in 2010.
“Businesses look at the long-term impact. People make a big deal out of this, but what’s more important for us is to make sure we don’t get in there and change the tax structure or something. It helps to have somebody at the top to help you sell, but the toolbox is more important,” Rawl said. “I just don’t see anything happening in the next 18 months. We just have to make sure the next governor who comes in is pro business.”
Rawl has said Sanford showed little leadership on economic development before the scandal broke, but he wouldn’t say if Sanford should resign or not. And while Rawl sees little happening in the next 18 months, he did not discount Bauer’s ability to lead.
“Given the chance, I think Andre could to step up and be a leader,” Rawl said.
On the day of Sanford’s confession, Cato said the governor should not resign. His concerns about Bauer’s ability to organize an administration in the next 18 months is part of the basis for that stance, he said.
“I’m reconsidering. We get new info everyday. I think he needs to strongly consider it,” Cato said today. “I do think that he has lost a lot of support. He really needs to look at where his priorities are, if really wants to reconcile with his wife.”
“My opinion is changing but I’m still not calling for his resignation,” Cato added.
Yes