Sunday, June 28, 2009

Mark Sanford and His Public

Posted by Jack Hunter on Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 5:39 PM

This is a repost from my latest at the Sniper's Tower at Taki's Magazine and the Post Right blog at The American Conservative. The American Conservative allows comments, and of course, some are already posting their two cents:

While I’ve already posted my own initial reaction to Gov. Mark Sanford’s admission of infidelity, it might be of interest to Taki's and TAC readers the reaction of South Carolinians at large.

The three primary reaction categories are:

1. Sanford is a lying scumbag who should resign.

2. Sanford is a good man who made a mistake, but should still resign to heal his marriage.

3. Sanford’s private life has nothing to do with his principles, he should remain in office and still run for president.

In our current WTMA text poll (1250 AM WTMA is the premiere talk radio station in Charleston, SC, where I’m employed) we’re asking “Should Sanford Resign?”

The results as of now: 70% “No.” 30% “Yes.” This is by no means scientific, but the phone calls we receive reflect similar results.

I mention this for two reasons. First, we’ve been interviewed by a few national outlets, and one particular interviewer, a Los Angeles morning talk host, kept bringing up red state “evangelicals” and their attitude toward Sanford’s indiscretions. Yet, amongst Christian conservatives, there’s been a lot more “let he who is without sin cast the first stone” than outright moral condemnation.

Also, this enduring support (quite surprising, actually) for Sanford is due in large part to the grassroots popularity in this state for his particular Republican brand — strict fiscal conservatism that is markedly different and more “extreme” than most other conventional, “conservative” Republicans.

Even with his admission of infidelity, there is still more rage amongst rank-and-file Republican voters against our big spending, GOP-dominated state legislature than our cheating governor.

It will be interesting to see what developments unfold this week. It will also be interesting to see what the future holds politically for Sanford, who though badly damaged, his career may not be as “over” as some might think.

And as I’ve noted a few times on the air, Sanford will only be 55 in 2014 - the next time the still, extremely unpopular Sen. Lindsey Graham is up for reelection.

Topics: National Politics
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Comments (7)

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when your're a conservative evangelical I wonder why it is so much easier to cast that stone at a liberal than one of your own? Kind of makes one wonder who truly embraces the teachings of Jesus!

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Posted by catdog on June 28, 2009 at 6:53 PM

I for one, forgive Mark Stanford and would still vote for him given the chance. In fact I would truly enjoy watching the liberal/democrat reaction to him running for any office again.

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Posted by KirkB on June 28, 2009 at 11:57 PM

Just shows what kind of idiots listen to WTMA talk radio.
WTMA resign- 30%
FOX NEWS - 58%
ISLANDPACKET - 69%
THESTATE -70%
NEWSVINE(MSNBC)-72%

Post and Courier also had a poll going, about 60% for him to resign.

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Posted by FCB on June 29, 2009 at 3:50 PM

What's a liberal*@$?

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Posted by snooozzzy on June 30, 2009 at 8:20 PM

Catdog, I didn't see where in Mr. Hunter's blog he "cast stones" at liberals. And when did Jesus come into it? I don't think Jesus would hang out with any politician, Conservative or Liberal. There's only a token difference between them.

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Posted by annarlutz on July 1, 2009 at 1:09 PM

What's a Liberal ???????????????

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Posted by snooozzzy on July 1, 2009 at 3:25 PM

Ever heard of Jeff Sharlet? He knows why Sanford is 'off the hook' and details it in his book The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. Also an interesting video clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUdg1TS-leE

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Posted by militarywife on August 1, 2009 at 11:00 PM
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