Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Mark Sanford Revolution?
The Atlantic ^ | 3/13/09 | Marc Ambinger

Posted on 03/13/2009 1:18:07 PM PDT by pissant

The American Conservative, founded by Patrick Buchanan to serve as a voice for anti-war, anti-immigration conservative nationalists, plays an interesting role in conservative politics. Though not as widely read as National Review, which aims to set the tone for the movement conservative mainstream, TAC has gained a devoted following as a sharp critic of the conservative mainstream, a stance reflected in its ardent embrace of Ron Paul's quixotic yet very impressive presidential campaign.

And so Michael Brendan Dougherty's mostly admiring profile of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford in TAC is worthy of note.

Dougherty does an excellent job of highlighting Sanford's potential appeal to the libertarians and paleoconservatives who backed Paul.

Sanford's conservative credentials compare favorably to anyone else mentioned as a 2012 presidential contender. He calls the public-education system "a Soviet-style monopoly." He promoted school choice through tax rebates to avoid the appearance of government control. He passed a "Castle doctrine" bill that was supported by the NRA. He favors a law-and-order approach to immigration, but opposed REAL ID on civil liberties grounds. Though he avoids showy displays of piety, he is reliably pro-life.

(Excerpt) Read more at politics.theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: South Carolina
KEYWORDS: 111th; bho44; marksanford; realconservatives; sanford2012; teaparty
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-45 next last
To: Vigilanteman
Sanford publicly aligned himself with McCain in a March 15, 2008, piece in the Wall Street Journal. Likening the presidential race to a football game at halftime, Sanford noted that he "sat out the first half, not endorsing a candidate...But I'm now stepping onto the field and going to work to help John McCain. It's important that conservatives do the same."[26]

From Wiki

Sanford certainly supported McCain in 2000.

21 posted on 03/13/2009 3:03:48 PM PDT by BARLF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: BARLF
In 2000, I supported John McCain. That was before I found out he was a major RINO and turd in the punch bowl. That became clearer to me as the 2000 primary season wore on.

The Republican race was over on March 15, 2008. In fact, is was over the Friday after Super Tuesday when Romney conceded. Nobody else had a mathematical chance of overtaking McCain. Huck & Paul's ego simply did not allow them to face reality by that point.

So browbeating Sanford for supporting McCain under these circumstances is disingenuous.

22 posted on 03/13/2009 3:13:04 PM PDT by Vigilanteman (Are there any men left in Washington? Or, are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Vigilanteman
Where did I support McCain in my post?

The subject is Mark Sanford and his support for a Rino.

McCain was the same man in 2000 as he was in 2008. Sanford supported McCain.

23 posted on 03/13/2009 3:18:26 PM PDT by BARLF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: pissant

Careful, he and Romney may end up on the same ticket. No one ever expected a Reagan/Bush ticket.


24 posted on 03/13/2009 4:28:40 PM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
Palin will have a lot of negatives to overcome. She's been caricatured so badly in the media she'll need some heavy duty rehabilitation.

Reagan did it by a secondary market radio program. It proved quite effective in making his image over.

On the GW issue, I think it is a well all politicians have visited, if not drunk from. They are in the end politicians. Sanford looks like the best so far.

25 posted on 03/13/2009 4:31:28 PM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BARLF

So who did you support last year, and who do you like for 2012?


26 posted on 03/13/2009 4:42:48 PM PDT by csmusaret (You can't spell Democrat without R-A-T.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: BARLF
Sanford couldn't support McCain's positions in the end. One of the problems we will face is that of the perfect candidate.

If we fight for perfection, which by the way doesn't exist on this earth, we'll end up with another McCain.

If we fight harder for perfection we'll end up with Obama’s 2nd term.

27 posted on 03/13/2009 4:49:14 PM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Retired Greyhound

Disappointment is common in politics. As much as I love and appreciate Reagan, he disappointed too.

He’s been deified, but he was not perfect as President.


28 posted on 03/13/2009 4:50:26 PM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: BARLF

As he should have.


29 posted on 03/13/2009 4:51:57 PM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: BARLF
Mark Sanford supported John McCain for president in 2000 and 2008.

Mark Sanford did support McCain in 2000, but was very disappointed with the way John McCain went after Bob Jones University. McCain had asked to visit the school, but got upset when he found out George W. Bush had already scheduled a visit, and deliberately began an attack to damage the school for no good reason! This happened just a couple of weeks before Super Tuesday, and Lindsey Graham asked Sanford not to drop out of the campaign. Out of friendship for Graham, he didn't drop out in 2000, but he did not endorse McCain in 2008 until 2 days after he had secured the nomination.

The following paragraph is found here: http://southernavenger.ccpblogs.com/2009/03/04/the-american-conservative-on-mark-sanford-plain-right/

Though he had endorsed John McCain in 2000, Sanford stayed out of the Republican contest in 2008. Two days before the primary, Sen. Lindsey Graham was dispatched to Sanford’s office with a plea and an offer. Graham told Sanford that an endorsement from the popular governor could put McCain over the top in the key primary state. In return, he promised a spot on McCain’s veep shortlist. Sanford responded cooly, “I don’t need your help getting on the shortlist” and declined.

Technically, you are correct, but Sanford was not an avid supporter. I didn't support McCain in the primary, but I held my nose and voted for him rather than Obama!

30 posted on 03/13/2009 4:57:03 PM PDT by PeskyOne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: PeskyOne
I didn't support McCain in the primary, but I held my nose and voted for him rather than Obama!

That was my position as well.

I did all I could to prevent obama being elected president. That meant supporting McCain.

My number one concern was for our military and obama as their CinC. Anyone could/can plainly see obama does not love our country and is now on a fast track to destroy everything American.

Did I choose McCain? No, but even worse was voting obama.

Sanford has said anyone that wants obama to fail is an idiot. That makes me an idiot in Sanford,s eyes. So be it, I think he's a RINO.

31 posted on 03/13/2009 5:23:53 PM PDT by BARLF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: csmusaret

I voted for McCain and so far have no “likes” for 2012.


32 posted on 03/13/2009 5:28:22 PM PDT by BARLF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: BARLF

Then by your logic you are a RINO?


33 posted on 03/13/2009 5:31:02 PM PDT by csmusaret (You can't spell Democrat without R-A-T.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: csmusaret
See Post # 31

I answered your question honestly knowing you were going to bash me with it. I don't mind........I take it you did not vote for McCain?

If Sanford is your choice that's fine with me.

He's still a RINO.

34 posted on 03/13/2009 5:40:56 PM PDT by BARLF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: BARLF

I don’t know if Sanford is a RINO or not but I really doubt it. I’m just curious if you have any evidence to support your accusation or if you are one of those who won’t support anyone who is one inch short of perfection.


35 posted on 03/13/2009 6:05:02 PM PDT by csmusaret (You can't spell Democrat without R-A-T.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: csmusaret

I do research csmusaret. I visit many sites looking for information on politicians that have an impact on my life and my country,especially my state and leader of my country. I look for articles,speeches they have made in the past. The paper trail.

Do your own digging, why rely on my research.

Your second question......or if you are one of those who won’t support anyone who is one inch short of perfection.

No. Had I been I would not have supported McCain or any other candidate,ever.

No one is perfect.

36 posted on 03/13/2009 6:40:48 PM PDT by BARLF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: BARLF

OK. You are a RINO. If you want to know why go look it up yourself. You just like to call names don’t you?


37 posted on 03/13/2009 6:43:24 PM PDT by csmusaret (You can't spell Democrat without R-A-T.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: csmusaret
What????????????

I answered your questions. Point out where I called you a name?

Had I posted directly from the websites you would have condemned them as biased reports. Tis better you do your own research.

Sorry if I offended you, not sure how I did that in my post.

38 posted on 03/13/2009 7:04:03 PM PDT by BARLF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: BARLF

You didn’t call me a name. You called Sanford a RINO and refused to back it up. That sounds like a cheap shot artist to me, but never mind. You are boring me now. Goodnight.


39 posted on 03/13/2009 7:08:00 PM PDT by csmusaret (You can't spell Democrat without R-A-T.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: BARLF
McCain was good (for the most part until the bailout) on spending. Sanford alligned with him based on that issue.

Bush wasn't exactly a conservative either.

40 posted on 03/13/2009 7:14:50 PM PDT by Darren McCarty (Obama = Jimmy Carter II)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-45 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson