Breaking: Mark Sanford Was Running for President

 

As Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford was a favorite of the GOP’s conservative wing. Successful and pragmatic, he was an ideal leader to promote limited government on the national stage. Then, he took a fateful hike along the Appalachian Trail.

The outing was actually to Buenos Aires where he met his mistress; an adventure that devastated his socially conservative brand, not to mention his marriage. A few years later, he returned to politics as a congressman for the Palmetto State but soon criticized the Trumpward drift.

Then, apparently, Sanford launched a primary challenge to oust Trump from the White House. After three months of avoiding public appearances, making zero headlines, and gathering no support, he suspended his campaign Tuesday. (If it can be called a campaign.)

Standing outside the New Hampshire Statehouse surrounded by 15 members of the media and two staffers, the long-shot Republican closed down his campaign some 65 days after it began.

Holding an oversized trillion-dollar check to represent the national debt, Sanford said his singular focus in his 2020 bid had been to advance the debate on mounting government spending and addressing the deficit.

“But you’ve got to be a realist,” said Sanford, who spoke for just shy of 16 minutes….

“I’m going to suspend my campaign and I’m going to look for other ways to advance these incredibly timely and important but now out-of-season issues,” he said.

It’s hard to understand why Sanford entered in the first place. No one knew he was focused on the national debt because he never attempted to deliver a message. He threw away a singular opportunity by ducking the one GOP primary debate by claiming a “scheduling conflict.”

What possibly was more important than speaking to Republican voters? Fewer than 1,000 viewers watched the debate on Facebook, but it was a rare opportunity to at least try to make a case. Deliver a pithy sentence or two; at least anti-Trumpers would try to make it go viral.

But he didn’t show up to the debate, or anywhere else for that matter.

This leaves two GOP primary aspirants: Joe Walsh and William Weld. Perhaps they should start campaigning since few voters know they’re even running.

Published in Elections
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  1. Guruforhire Inactive
    Guruforhire
    @Guruforhire

    Over at AceofSpaces there is a link to Gary Johnson lamenting that the republican has turned against fiscal conservatives.  I don’t disagree with that point at all.

    It would be nice if trump was more fiscally conservative.  But everything is a mixed bag.

    • #1
  2. Jager Coolidge
    Jager
    @Jager

    Sanford was the only legitimate Republican attempting to Primary Trump. Weld holds a lot of positions that will not resonate with the base and Walsh is a joke. Trump is now officially the nominee.  

    • #2
  3. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    I was really sorry to see Mark withdraw from the race.  I was ready to go to Iowa or New Hampshire to campaign for him and we talked over the weekend.  See http://ricochet.com/695593/getting-a-phone-call-from-mark-sanford/comment-page-3/#comments

    • #3
  4. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    Old objection: Trump is a womanizing creep who’s been married three times!

    New objection: Why didn’t the guy with the Argentinian mistress get any traction?

    • #4
  5. Guruforhire Inactive
    Guruforhire
    @Guruforhire

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I was really sorry to see Mark withdraw from the race. I was ready to go to Iowa or New Hampshire to campaign for him and we talked over the weekend. See http://ricochet.com/695593/getting-a-phone-call-from-mark-sanford/comment-page-3/#comments

    don’t feel too bad, I was one of the 300 gilmore supporters in america.

     

    • #5
  6. EDISONPARKS Member
    EDISONPARKS
    @user_54742

    Babylon Bee quality headline, nicely done.

    • #6
  7. Jon Gabriel, Ed. Contributor
    Jon Gabriel, Ed.
    @jon

    Jager (View Comment):

    Sanford was the only legitimate Republican attempting to Primary Trump. Weld holds a lot of positions that will not resonate with the base and Walsh is a joke. Trump is now officially the nominee.

    I watched that Walsh/Weld debate. They spent the whole time complimenting each other and complaining Trump. Walsh basically will have all the same policies but won’t be as rude or something. Weld basically endorsed the Hillary 2016 platform. The whole time I thought, “where the heck in Sanford?”

    • #7
  8. Spin Inactive
    Spin
    @Spin

    It is foolish to try and Primary Trump, and I will tell you why.  

    Let us say you really hate Trump and think that he’s “tarnished the brand”, and all that.  You think if a Republican with some common sense runs, then it will help the brand.  You’ll show the world that not every Republican is as abhorrent as Trump.  

    You’ve got two main problems and one secondary problem (quibble if you want about main versus secondary):

    First, the ~40% of America the is on the left hate you, Trump, and the Republican with some common sense.  He could be as pure as the driven snow and they’d hate him.  Whatever it is you think Trump is…they think you are.  You won’t appeal to their better nature.  They will always think you are a racist, a bigot, and a homophone.  I mean homophobe.  

    Second, the ~20% in the middle will not pay attention to the primary season.  They won’t know that the Republicans tried to nominate a better guy, and they won’t care.  They hate all this partisan bickering.  They want someone who is about in the middle who will keep the taxman at bay and keep their job humming along.  

    You will have gained nothing.  

    Now, your secondary problem is that if by some miracle your SCS Republican wins the primary race, a huge chunk of your support in the general election will be gone.  All these Trumpsters that you hate?  They’ll stay home.  Those handful of Joe the Plumber types?  They’ll stay home. 

    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump.  Just ride it out…

    • #8
  9. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Guruforhire (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I was really sorry to see Mark withdraw from the race. I was ready to go to Iowa or New Hampshire to campaign for him and we talked over the weekend. See http://ricochet.com/695593/getting-a-phone-call-from-mark-sanford/comment-page-3/#comments

    don’t feel too bad, I was one of the 300 gilmore supporters in america.

    I feel better already!

    • #9
  10. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Spin (View Comment):

    It is foolish to try and Primary Trump, and I will tell you why.

    Let us say you really hate Trump and think that he’s “tarnished the brand”, and all that. You think if a Republican with some common sense runs, then it will help the brand. You’ll show the world that not every Republican is as abhorrent as Trump.

    You’ve got two main problems and one secondary problem (quibble if you want about main versus secondary):

    First, the ~40% of America the is on the left hate you, Trump, and the Republican with some common sense. He could be as pure as the driven snow and they’d hate him. Whatever it is you think Trump is…they think you are. You won’t appeal to their better nature. They will always think you are a racist, a bigot, and a homophone. I mean homophobe.

    Second, the ~20% in the middle will not pay attention to the primary season. They won’t know that the Republicans tried to nominate a better guy, and they won’t care. They hate all this partisan bickering. They want someone who is about in the middle who will keep the taxman at bay and keep their job humming along.

    You will have gained nothing.

    Now, your secondary problem is that if by some miracle your SCS Republican wins the primary race, a huge chunk of your support in the general election will be gone. All these Trumpsters that you hate? They’ll stay home. Those handful of Joe the Plumber types? They’ll stay home.

    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    That is kinda contrary to my nature.

    • #10
  11. Spin Inactive
    Spin
    @Spin

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    It is foolish to try and Primary Trump, and I will tell you why.

    Let us say you really hate Trump and think that he’s “tarnished the brand”, and all that. You think if a Republican with some common sense runs, then it will help the brand. You’ll show the world that not every Republican is as abhorrent as Trump.

    You’ve got two main problems and one secondary problem (quibble if you want about main versus secondary):

    First, the ~40% of America the is on the left hate you, Trump, and the Republican with some common sense. He could be as pure as the driven snow and they’d hate him. Whatever it is you think Trump is…they think you are. You won’t appeal to their better nature. They will always think you are a racist, a bigot, and a homophone. I mean homophobe.

    Second, the ~20% in the middle will not pay attention to the primary season. They won’t know that the Republicans tried to nominate a better guy, and they won’t care. They hate all this partisan bickering. They want someone who is about in the middle who will keep the taxman at bay and keep their job humming along.

    You will have gained nothing.

    Now, your secondary problem is that if by some miracle your SCS Republican wins the primary race, a huge chunk of your support in the general election will be gone. All these Trumpsters that you hate? They’ll stay home. Those handful of Joe the Plumber types? They’ll stay home.

    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    That is kinda contrary to my nature.

    Look Gary, I like ya, you are a decent fellow, but are you saying it is contrary to your nature to not be foolish?

    • #11
  12. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Spin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    It is foolish to try and Primary Trump, and I will tell you why.

    Let us say you really hate Trump and think that he’s “tarnished the brand”, and all that. You think if a Republican with some common sense runs, then it will help the brand. You’ll show the world that not every Republican is as abhorrent as Trump.

    You’ve got two main problems and one secondary problem (quibble if you want about main versus secondary):

    First, the ~40% of America the is on the left hate you, Trump, and the Republican with some common sense. He could be as pure as the driven snow and they’d hate him. Whatever it is you think Trump is…they think you are. You won’t appeal to their better nature. They will always think you are a racist, a bigot, and a homophone. I mean homophobe.

    Second, the ~20% in the middle will not pay attention to the primary season. They won’t know that the Republicans tried to nominate a better guy, and they won’t care. They hate all this partisan bickering. They want someone who is about in the middle who will keep the taxman at bay and keep their job humming along.

    You will have gained nothing.

    Now, your secondary problem is that if by some miracle your SCS Republican wins the primary race, a huge chunk of your support in the general election will be gone. All these Trumpsters that you hate? They’ll stay home. Those handful of Joe the Plumber types? They’ll stay home.

    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    That is kinda contrary to my nature.

    Look Gary, I like ya, you are a decent fellow, but are you saying it is contrary to your nature to not be foolish?

    It can’t be against Gary’s nature to lose: most of his preferred candidates get beaten like rented drums.

    • #12
  13. Spin Inactive
    Spin
    @Spin

    Percival (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    It is foolish to try and Primary Trump, and I will tell you why.

    Let us say you really hate Trump and think that he’s “tarnished the brand”, and all that. You think if a Republican with some common sense runs, then it will help the brand. You’ll show the world that not every Republican is as abhorrent as Trump.

    You’ve got two main problems and one secondary problem (quibble if you want about main versus secondary):

    First, the ~40% of America the is on the left hate you, Trump, and the Republican with some common sense. He could be as pure as the driven snow and they’d hate him. Whatever it is you think Trump is…they think you are. You won’t appeal to their better nature. They will always think you are a racist, a bigot, and a homophone. I mean homophobe.

    Second, the ~20% in the middle will not pay attention to the primary season. They won’t know that the Republicans tried to nominate a better guy, and they won’t care. They hate all this partisan bickering. They want someone who is about in the middle who will keep the taxman at bay and keep their job humming along.

    You will have gained nothing.

    Now, your secondary problem is that if by some miracle your SCS Republican wins the primary race, a huge chunk of your support in the general election will be gone. All these Trumpsters that you hate? They’ll stay home. Those handful of Joe the Plumber types? They’ll stay home.

    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    That is kinda contrary to my nature.

    Look Gary, I like ya, you are a decent fellow, but are you saying it is contrary to your nature to not be foolish?

    It can’t be against Gary’s nature to lose: most of his preferred candidates get beaten like rented drums.

    I think he means it is against his nature to just ride it out.  But that’s all he can do.  Pushing for a primary candidate will get him no where.

    • #13
  14. Jason Obermeyer Member
    Jason Obermeyer
    @JasonObermeyer

    “Grand Opening, Grand Closing.”

    – Chris Rock 

    • #14
  15. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Maybe Sanford’s got a new girlfriend and he needed to leave the state.  Can’t be running for President while there is a girl friend somewhere.  ;)

    • #15
  16. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    Jon,

    I’m withholding my choice until Harold Stassen decides if he wants to enter the race. Oh gosh, he died! Darn it.

    Regards,

    Jim 

    • #16
  17. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Spin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    It is foolish to try and Primary Trump, and I will tell you why.

    Let us say you really hate Trump and think that he’s “tarnished the brand”, and all that. You think if a Republican with some common sense runs, then it will help the brand. You’ll show the world that not every Republican is as abhorrent as Trump.

    You’ve got two main problems and one secondary problem (quibble if you want about main versus secondary):

    First, the ~40% of America the is on the left hate you, Trump, and the Republican with some common sense. He could be as pure as the driven snow and they’d hate him. Whatever it is you think Trump is…they think you are. You won’t appeal to their better nature. They will always think you are a racist, a bigot, and a homophone. I mean homophobe.

    Second, the ~20% in the middle will not pay attention to the primary season. They won’t know that the Republicans tried to nominate a better guy, and they won’t care. They hate all this partisan bickering. They want someone who is about in the middle who will keep the taxman at bay and keep their job humming along.

    You will have gained nothing.

    Now, your secondary problem is that if by some miracle your SCS Republican wins the primary race, a huge chunk of your support in the general election will be gone. All these Trumpsters that you hate? They’ll stay home. Those handful of Joe the Plumber types? They’ll stay home.

    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    That is kinda contrary to my nature.

    Look Gary, I like ya, you are a decent fellow, but are you saying it is contrary to your nature to not be foolish?

    It is contrary to my nature to bend the knee to someone who is as unfit as Trump.

    • #17
  18. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Spin (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    It is foolish to try and Primary Trump, and I will tell you why.

    Let us say you really hate Trump and think that he’s “tarnished the brand”, and all that. You think if a Republican with some common sense runs, then it will help the brand. You’ll show the world that not every Republican is as abhorrent as Trump.

    You’ve got two main problems and one secondary problem (quibble if you want about main versus secondary):

    First, the ~40% of America the is on the left hate you, Trump, and the Republican with some common sense. He could be as pure as the driven snow and they’d hate him. Whatever it is you think Trump is…they think you are. You won’t appeal to their better nature. They will always think you are a racist, a bigot, and a homophone. I mean homophobe.

    Second, the ~20% in the middle will not pay attention to the primary season. They won’t know that the Republicans tried to nominate a better guy, and they won’t care. They hate all this partisan bickering. They want someone who is about in the middle who will keep the taxman at bay and keep their job humming along.

    You will have gained nothing.

    Now, your secondary problem is that if by some miracle your SCS Republican wins the primary race, a huge chunk of your support in the general election will be gone. All these Trumpsters that you hate? They’ll stay home. Those handful of Joe the Plumber types? They’ll stay home.

    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    That is kinda contrary to my nature.

    Look Gary, I like ya, you are a decent fellow, but are you saying it is contrary to your nature to not be foolish?

    It can’t be against Gary’s nature to lose: most of his preferred candidates get beaten like rented drums.

    I think he means it is against his nature to just ride it out. But that’s all he can do. Pushing for a primary candidate will get him no where.

    I can do no other.

    • #18
  19. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    It is contrary to my nature to bend the knee to someone who is as unfit as Trump.

    Maybe you should try a smaller horse.

    • #19
  20. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    I have no idea how these things work, but I have a few baseless theories.

    1.  Some politicians start campaigns simply to raise money.
    2. Some politicians write books just to launder money.

    That’s about it.

    • #20
  21. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Spin (View Comment):
    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    If you try to primary Trump your real problem is that he has roughly a 90% approval rating among Republican voters.

    • #21
  22. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Jon Gabriel, Ed. (View Comment):
    The whole time I thought, “where the heck in Sanford?”

    One person showed up to Mark Sanford 2020 campaign launch — a Democrat with no plans to vote

    I’m guessing laughing at the rubes who donated to his “campaign”.

    • #22
  23. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):
    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    If you try to primary Trump your real problem is that he has roughly a 90% approval rating among Republican voters.

    But the 10% are the Real Republican Party ™

    • #23
  24. Spin Inactive
    Spin
    @Spin

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):
    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    If you try to primary Trump your real problem is that he has roughly a 90% approval rating among Republican voters.

    That’s if you are trying to primary him so you can run someone else.  I think Gary knows that no one is going to make it.  So he’s supporting these primary candidates as a show of…whatever.  I can’t think of the word.  To show that there are still some Republicans with common sense.  Nobody is watching.  Nobody.  

    • #24
  25. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Spin (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):
    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    If you try to primary Trump your real problem is that he has roughly a 90% approval rating among Republican voters.

    That’s if you are trying to primary him so you can run someone else. I think Gary knows that no one is going to make it. So he’s supporting these primary candidates as a show of…whatever. I can’t think of the word. To show that there are still some Republicans with common sense. Nobody is watching. Nobody.

    Republican internal polling has 90% support for Trump.  Only delusional politicians or people wanting book deals as former Presidential candidates would run against a popular incumbent . . .

    • #25
  26. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Spin (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):
    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    If you try to primary Trump your real problem is that he has roughly a 90% approval rating among Republican voters.

    That’s if you are trying to primary him so you can run someone else. I think Gary knows that no one is going to make it.

    No, I don’t know that.  It is likely that Trump will be renominated.  But there is a non-zero chance that he won’t be.

    I was in law school in 1974.  The idea that Nixon would be impeached and convicted seemed an absolute folly.  But when the dam broke, it broke.

    I also remember 1968.  LBJ won the New Hampshire Primary, but Eugene McCarthy did above expectations.  A few days later Bobby Kennedy jumped in.  LBJ withdrew from the nomination fight by the end of the month.

    So he’s supporting these primary candidates as a show of…whatever. I can’t think of the word. To show that there are still some Republicans with common sense. Nobody is watching. Nobody.

    We shall see the results from the Impeachment Hearings.  Right now, some 49-52% of voters want Trump to be impeached and convicted.  What if that goes up to 55%?  57%?  59%?  61%?  If so, there would come a point where Trump’s support will collapse among Republican Senators.

    In the alternative, even if Trump is not convicted and removed, the Impeachment Hearings could well lead to a massive repudiation of Trump and the Republican Party.

    I am watching the Impeachment Hearings.  Devin Nunes has be-clowned himself beyond imagination.  It is as if Trump wrote Nunes’ opening statement.

    • #26
  27. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):
    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    If you try to primary Trump your real problem is that he has roughly a 90% approval rating among Republican voters.

    That’s if you are trying to primary him so you can run someone else. I think Gary knows that no one is going to make it.

    No, I don’t know that. It is likely that Trump will be renominated. But there is a non-zero chance that he won’t be.

    I was in law school in 1974. The idea that Nixon would be impeached and convicted seemed an absolute folly. But when the dam broke, it broke.

    I also remember 1968. LBJ won the New Hampshire Primary, but Eugene McCarthy did above expectations. A few days later Bobby Kennedy jumped in. LBJ withdrew from the nomination fight by the end of the month.

    So he’s supporting these primary candidates as a show of…whatever. I can’t think of the word. To show that there are still some Republicans with common sense. Nobody is watching. Nobody.

    We shall see the results from the Impeachment Hearings. Right now, some 49-52% of voters want Trump to be impeached and convicted. What if that goes up to 55%? 57%? 59%? 61%? If so, there would come a point where Trump’s support will collapse among Republican Senators.

    In the alternative, even if Trump is not convicted and removed, the Impeachment Hearings could well lead to a massive repudiation of Trump and the Republican Party.

    I am watching the Impeachment Hearings. Devin Nunes has be-clowned himself beyond imagination. It is as if Trump wrote Nunes’ opening statement.

    Non-zero is a pretty pathetic thing to base a campaign on. If things were to go wrong for Trump in a non-zero way, I think someone else will be preferred over a loser that campaigns based on non-zero. 

    Nixon was neither impeached nor convicted.  But you knew that. 

    • #27
  28. EDISONPARKS Member
    EDISONPARKS
    @user_54742

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Spin (View Comment):
    You have nothing to gain from trying to Primary Trump. Just ride it out…

    If you try to primary Trump your real problem is that he has roughly a 90% approval rating among Republican voters.

    That’s if you are trying to primary him so you can run someone else. I think Gary knows that no one is going to make it.

    No, I don’t know that. It is likely that Trump will be renominated. But there is a non-zero chance that he won’t be.

    I was in law school in 1974. The idea that Nixon would be impeached and convicted seemed an absolute folly. But when the dam broke, it broke.

    I also remember 1968. LBJ won the New Hampshire Primary, but Eugene McCarthy did above expectations. A few days later Bobby Kennedy jumped in. LBJ withdrew from the nomination fight by the end of the month.

    So he’s supporting these primary candidates as a show of…whatever. I can’t think of the word. To show that there are still some Republicans with common sense. Nobody is watching. Nobody.

    We shall see the results from the Impeachment Hearings. Right now, some 49-52% of voters want Trump to be impeached and convicted. What if that goes up to 55%? 57%? 59%? 61%? If so, there would come a point where Trump’s support will collapse among Republican Senators.

    In the alternative, even if Trump is not convicted and removed, the Impeachment Hearings could well lead to a massive repudiation of Trump and the Republican Party.

    I am watching the Impeachment Hearings. Devin Nunes has be-clowned himself beyond imagination. It is as if Trump wrote Nunes’ opening statement.

    I just watched the Devin Nunes opening statement and it is apparent that those who believe Nunes be-clowned himself suffer such an acute case of TDS that they now actively and unwittingly condone the ongoing (D)/MSM/Lawfare corruption.

     

    • #28
  29. Spin Inactive
    Spin
    @Spin

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    The idea that Nixon would be impeached and convicted seemed an absolute folly. But when the dam broke, it broke.

    The difference being that if the dam breaks, the 90% of Republicans who approve of Trump will see it as they see it now:  the deep state, the democrats, the Clintons, etc. etc. doing everything they can to unseat a duly elected President.  They won’t say “Oh, hey,. Gary was RIGHT!  I better vote for so and so!”  

    “They” keep telling us the smoking gun is just around the corner, and we get around there, and there is never any there, there…

    • #29
  30. Spin Inactive
    Spin
    @Spin

    EDISONPARKS (View Comment):
    such an acute case of TDS

    I think there is an ointment for that…

    • #30
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