Former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford adopted a surprisingly centrist tone in his general election debate against Democrat Elizabeth Colbert-Busch – distancing himself from free market reforms like parental choice while touting his support for taxpayer-funded economic development efforts.
He also trumpeted his 2006 endorsement from the Sierra Club, which he proudly referred to as “hardly a Republican organization.”
Meanwhile an energetic Colbert-Busch – who came off as polished if not completely prepared for her first political debate – tried to shed her liberal roots by appealing to conservative positions on right-to-work issues and the Second Amendment.
“We have go to come to the middle, we have got to be reasonable with one another, we have got to reach across the aisle,” Colbert-Busch said to thunderous applause from a Democratic-leaning crowd.
Dominating the debate, however, was Sanford’s insistence that Colbert-Busch would be beholden to the left-leaning special interests bankrolling her campaign to the tune of more than $1 million. It’s a line of attack that’s absolutely central to Sanford’s candidacy – which saw its slim lead turn into a nine-point deficit following recent trespassing allegations made by his ex-wife’s attorneys.
“What (the special interest money) says is ‘whose voice will you carry to Washington, D.C.?'” Sanford said. “Will it be Nancy Pelosi’s voice? Will it be labor unions’ voice?”
“I am proud to support and live in a right-to-work state, and I am proud of everyone who has supported me,” Colbert-Busch fired back.
Repeatedly, Colbert-Busch told Sanford the only pledge she signed was one promising to do her best on behalf of the voters of the first district.
“I’m going to represent everybody, Mark,” she told Sanford.
Sanford refused to let the issue die, though.
“I wanna represent everybody but I don’t want to represent the union that’s trying to shut down Boeing,” Sanford said, referring to efforts by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to shutter aircraft manufacturer’s North Charleston, S.C. facility.
Sanford’s fawning over Boeing earned him applause from the small but vocal contingent of “Republicans” attending the debate – but it also opened him up to allegations of hypocrisy. And rightly so. In fact Sanford failed miserably in his effort to explain how approving hundreds of millions of dollars worth of incentives for Boeing wasn’t the same thing as “picking winners and losers in the economy,” something the ex-governor has repeatedly said he opposes.
“You do go after the elephants,” Sanford said, referring to large-scale economic development projects. “And we did that.”
Not surprisingly, Sanford found a willing ally in his Democratic opponent for such taxpayer-funded economic development efforts.
“Incentives are very important in economic development,” Colbert-Busch said. “I’m a supporter of incentives to bring companies here.”
Obviously neither candidate mentioned the shifting, elevated tax burden associated with the doling out of such incentives.
Sanford was most defensive when Colbert-Busch expressed her opposition to expanded parental choice. Rather than outlining the benefits of choice legislation that he supported throughout his two terms as governor, Sanford instead chose to highlight his support for increased funding for government-run schools – which he referred to as the “underpinning” of the state’s education system.
“We increased the base student cost every year I was governor,” Sanford said.
This website’s founding editor – who spent two-and-a-half years as Sanford’s press secretary – was flabbergasted.
“Who the fuck is this crony capitalist, big government backer masquerading as Mark Sanford tonight???” he tweeted. “Very disappointing.”
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102 comments
ECB was Vice President-Sales for MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Co.) covering the entire US East Coast, working under intense competitive pressure. MSC operates in very few VSAs (vessel-sharing agreements), and has five strings (“services”) inbound and outbound.
I’m really impressed with her. MSC is a top-dog steamship line, consistently profitable and responsive to customer demands.
Sanford has spent his working career doing real estate deals, driving a tractor and sucking on the public teat as a professional politician.
I was underwhelmed by his performance.
Sanford is the six figure taxpayer funded bureaucrat, excluding benefits, such as taxpayer funded travel for some tang.
Excellent.
She’s also pro-choice, would not support the reppeal of the “train wreck” Obamacare, wants to restrict the 2nd amendment, is supported by unions that want to shut down Boeing’s Charleston factory moving the jobs to Oregon where they dismiss South Carolinian workers and would be a reliable vote for liberal Nancy Pelosi in Congress which is why they’ve given her over a million dollars.
Spin it any way you want but she would be a disaster for the taxpayers and residents of SC-1
Oregon???
Sorry Washington state, edited. The unions who are funding her want Boeing to expand in Seattle instead of Charleston so if she’s elected she will be a reliable vote for directly undermining her constituents and the residents of Charleston. Truly amazing.
^This dude’s top 4 likes on Facebook are Hannity, Alex Jones (?!?!), Glenn Beck and Mark Levin. Get out of the right-wing nut job bubble, and maybe we’ll take you seriously.
ECB also fronted for OOCL, you remember the container ships that USN thought it was improudent to have passing a nuclear shipyard as the cameras click and 7000+ jobs left NAVSTA Charleston forever to Norfolk and to King’s Bay… thank you very f’ing much Ms. Busch! Thank you very f’ing much ILA for not staiding with the Metal Trades Council to keep CNSY open.
ECB was Vice President-Sales for MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Co.) covering the entire US East Coast, working under intense competitive pressure. MSC operates in very few VSAs (vessel-sharing agreements), and has five strings (“services”) inbound and outbound.
I’m really impressed with her. MSC is a top-dog steamship line, consistently profitable and responsive to customer demands.
Sanford has spent his working career doing real estate deals, driving a tractor and sucking on the public teat as a professional politician.
I was underwhelmed by his performance.
Sanford is the six figure taxpayer funded bureaucrat, excluding benefits, such as taxpayer funded travel for some tang.
Excellent.
She’s also pro-choice, would not support the reppeal of the “train wreck” Obamacare, wants to restrict the 2nd amendment, is supported by unions that want to shut down Boeing’s Charleston factory moving the thousands of jobs to Democrat Washington state where they diss South Carolinian workers and would be a reliable vote for liberal Nancy Pelosi in Congress which is why they’ve given her over a million dollars.
Spin it any way you want but she would be a disaster for the taxpayers and residents of SC-1.
The only vote is for Republican Mark Sanford.
Oregon???
Sorry Washington state, edited. The unions who are funding her want Boeing to expand in Seattle instead of Charleston so if she’s elected she will be a reliable vote for directly undermining her constituents and the residents of Charleston. Truly amazing.
^This dude’s top 4 likes on Facebook are Hannity, Alex Jones (?!?!), Glenn Beck and Mark Levin. Get out of the right-wing nut job bubble, and maybe we’ll take you seriously.
ECB also fronted for OOCL, you remember the container ships that USN thought it was improudent to have passing a nuclear shipyard as the cameras click and 7000+ jobs left NAVSTA Charleston forever to Norfolk and to King’s Bay… thank you very f’ing much Ms. Busch! Thank you very f’ing much ILA for not staiding with the Metal Trades Council to keep CNSY open.
I love how right-wingers define the center.
I love how right-wingers define the center.
Was the needle of Sanford’s moral compass pointing at ECB?
Sanford isn’t guided by a moral compass. He is guided by his pecker.
Yes as I’ve indicated many times on this site. His pecker is the needle of his moral compass.
He’s guided by his pocketbook.
He has always been too lazy to work a real job any length of time – he is a career politician.
He wants to work some more on that federal pension while he’s drawing that federal paycheck, insurance, benefits and perks.
And, what kind of pension deal does he have for those 8 years he did nothing in South Carolina?
Was the needle of Sanford’s moral compass pointing at ECB?
Sanford isn’t guided by a moral compass. He is guided by his pecker.
Yes as I’ve indicated many times on this site. His pecker is the needle of his moral compass.
He’s guided by his pocketbook.
He has always been too lazy to work a real job any length of time – he is a career politician.
He wants to work some more on that federal pension while he’s drawing that federal paycheck, insurance, benefits and perks.
And, what kind of pension deal does he have for those 8 years he did nothing in South Carolina?
I just can’t imagine anybody voting for Mark Sanford. How can anyone vote for somebody that has been very publically shown to be a liar and a cheat?????
Clinton?
Does he live in SC-1.
John Edwards, Ted Vick and the list goes on and on and on and on……………………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You mean like Nikki Haley, Richard Eckstrom and Bob Peeler, Ken Ard and Bobby Harrell?? They are all the same!
Are you referring to Obama? Harry Reid? Nancy Pelosi?
I just can’t imagine anybody voting for Mark Sanford. How can anyone vote for somebody that has been very publically shown to be a liar and a cheat?????
Clinton?
Does he live in SC-1.
John Edwards, Ted Vick and the list goes on and on and on and on……………………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You mean like Nikki Haley, Richard Eckstrom and Bob Peeler, Ken Ard and Bobby Harrell?? They are all the same!
Are you referring to Obama? Harry Reid? Nancy Pelosi?
She is so sexy
One of the questioners on the media panel accidently addressed ECB as “Elizabeth Colbert Butch”
ECB hasn’t been caught philandering or lying to the public — or Ethics Commission. Sanford has made a career out of it. Uses his boys as props. What a corrupt sick-o. If he wasn’t caught, he’d be $76,000 richer.
Sexy? Err… Whatever floats your boat, mate.
She is so sexy
One of the questioners on the media panel accidently addressed ECB as “Elizabeth Colbert Butch”
ECB hasn’t been caught philandering or lying to the public — or Ethics Commission. Sanford has made a career out of it. Uses his boys as props. What a corrupt sick-o. If he wasn’t caught, he’d be $76,000 richer.
Sexy? Err… Whatever floats your boat, mate.
“Don’t cry for me, Argentina.”
Mark Sanford, April 29, 2013
Aw hell Bobby was Henny Penny’s soul mate in the gallery?
“Don’t cry for me, Argentina.”
Mark Sanford, April 29, 2013
Aw hell Bobby was Henny Penny’s soul mate in the gallery?
That was fun. Both did better than expected or predicted.
I really expected Sanford to perform better given all of his experience debating and office-holding. ECB has done neither, and she came off as well if not better than him. She made a few stumbles, but overall, for a first-time debater, she looked and acted prepared; he looked and acted mostly like a goofball. And really, the Nancy Pelosi thing? The man doesn’t know when to stop beating a dead horse. It was stupid and ineffective when he “debated” a cardboard cut-out of her, and it was the same when he kept referring to her last night. Audience (which both sides packed with their “people,”obviously) was really engaged, though. I saw some reports that described the audience as rude, but I liked hearing what they approved and disapproved of. I thought the event was well-done.
He IS a goofball.
A do-nothing but run his mouth goofball. Just the kind of politician the SCGOP voter falls for every time.
That was fun. Both did better than expected or predicted.
I really expected Sanford to perform better given all of his experience debating and office-holding. ECB has done neither, and she came off as well if not better than him. She made a few stumbles, but overall, for a first-time debater, she looked and acted prepared; he looked and acted mostly like a goofball. And really, the Nancy Pelosi thing? The man doesn’t know when to stop beating a dead horse. It was stupid and ineffective when he “debated” a cardboard cut-out of her, and it was the same when he kept referring to her last night. Audience (which both sides packed with their “people,”obviously) was really engaged, though. I saw some reports that described the audience as rude, but I liked hearing what they approved and disapproved of. I thought the event was well-done.
He IS a goofball.
A do-nothing but run his mouth goofball. Just the kind of politician the SCGOP voter falls for every time.
“Meanwhile an energetic Colbert-Busch – who came off as polished if not completely prepared for her first political debate”
The lady looked angry, dazed,confused and intellectually bankrupt in her prom outfit. What a sad performance .
Ok, Sanford staffer. Thanks for your unbiased assessment.
Sorry arsehole.I DO NOT work for the Sandford campaign NOR am I as staffer.Just a concerned citizen that reads the filthy and profane attacks on this man and his family and figures if these are the people supporting Pelosi Jr. she does not deserve to represent SC1 or this nation. Carry on Ken ‘E’diot.
Who said you worked for the Sandford campaign? :) I guess if you were a staffer, you could at least spell his name correctly. Most of your posts (vile and misogynist) have been against ECB. You don’t say anything in support of SANFORD, who honestly cannot be defended from his awful record as as politician, father, and husband.
Wes, what took so long?
First post by “hoss” was on April 2nd, 2 days after Sanford won the primary. Comments on that day mainly centered around how poor a campaign ECB was running, criticizing staffing hires, real specific campaign $hit. Come on, hoss. Own up. Who are you?
You mean the guy who calls anyone who remotely hints at ECB being a better person for the job a “Colbert-Busch campaign worker” could actually be a Sanford campaign worker? No way! lol…
That you Chapur?
“Meanwhile an energetic Colbert-Busch – who came off as polished if not completely prepared for her first political debate”
The lady looked angry, dazed,confused and intellectually bankrupt in her prom outfit. What a sad performance .
Ok, Sanford staffer. Thanks for your unbiased assessment.
Sorry arsehole.I DO NOT work for the Sandford campaign NOR am I as staffer.Just a concerned citizen that reads the filthy and profane attacks on this man and his family and figures if these are the people supporting Pelosi Jr. she does not deserve to represent SC1 or this nation. Carry on Ken ‘E’diot.
Who said you worked for the Sandford campaign? :) I guess if you were a staffer, you could at least spell his name correctly. Most of your posts (vile and misogynist) have been against ECB. You don’t say anything in support of SANFORD, who honestly cannot be defended from his awful record as as politician, father, and husband.
Wes, what took so long?
First post by “hoss” was on April 2nd, 2 days after Sanford won the primary. Comments on that day mainly centered around how poor a campaign ECB was running, criticizing staffing hires, real specific campaign $hit. Come on, hoss. Own up. Who are you?
You mean the guy who calls anyone who remotely hints at ECB being a better person for the job a “Colbert-Busch campaign worker” could actually be a Sanford campaign worker? No way! lol…
That you Chapur?
meanwhile many of our politicians receive tons of money from outside our state (eg, Howie Rich & buddies) — Sanford is a hypocrite. Colbert-Busch is a newbie and hasn’t quite figured how out to be a politician in SC, but she’s learning fast.
meanwhile many of our politicians receive tons of money from outside our state (eg, Howie Rich & buddies) — Sanford is a hypocrite. Colbert-Busch is a newbie and hasn’t quite figured how out to be a politician in SC, but she’s learning fast.
Sanford talked about the State Ports Authority like he knew the agency well. He said he spoke with the harbor pilots about dredging. We are supposed to be impressed.
The Corps of Engineers dredge-related EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) is due in June, on time, “knock on wood,” as Jimmy Newsome puts it in today’s Journal of Commerce. Sanford can claim no credit for this. Dredging, from 48′ to 50′, should begin in 2015, also on time. ECB has forgotten more about port operations than Sanford has ever known.
In fact, when two board vacancies opened up on Sanford’s watch, he appointed two political friends who were terrified of Bill Behea and Harry Butler and who were referred to by the waterfront community as “the two sheep” — “Baah” and “Baah Baah.” Neither EVER boarded a vessel, met with stevedores or longshoremen, or vessel operators to find out how the massive operation actually works.
Instead, as Sanford said tonight, he “attended the Propeller Club dinner” which is a social event lubricated with liquor and insincere public toasts to politicians. With few exceptions, most attendees despise the SPA management, board, and the politicians appointing board members.
The SPA continues its monopolistic ways, throwing nails in the path of every private company with a clever idea. East Coast stevedores and marine terminal companies rank, as “most friendly to private sector”:
#1 — Jacksonville (Jacksonville Port Authority — municipal)
#2 — Brunswick (Georgia Port Authority — state)
#3 — Savannah (Georgia Port Authority — state)
#4 — Fernandina (Nassau County, FL)
#5 — Miami (Miami-Dade Counties, FL)
#6 — Port Everglades (Broward County, FL)
#7 — Charleston (S.C. Port Authority — state)
SANFORD IS A FOE OF FREE ENTERPRISE AT THE PORT OF CHARLESTON.
Sanford talked about the State Ports Authority like he knew the agency well. He said he spoke with the harbor pilots about dredging. We are supposed to be impressed.
The Corps of Engineers dredge-related EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) is due in June, on time, “knock on wood,” as Jimmy Newsome puts it in today’s Journal of Commerce. Sanford can claim no credit for this. Dredging, from 48′ to 50′, should begin in 2015, also on time. ECB has forgotten more about port operations than Sanford has ever known.
In fact, when two board vacancies opened up on Sanford’s watch, he appointed two political friends who were terrified of Bill Behea and Harry Butler and who were referred to by the waterfront community as “the two sheep” — “Baah” and “Baah Baah.” Neither EVER boarded a vessel, met with stevedores or longshoremen, or vessel operators to find out how the massive operation actually works.
Instead, as Sanford said tonight, he “attended the Propeller Club dinner” which is a social event lubricated with liquor and insincere public toasts to politicians. With few exceptions, most attendees despise the SPA management, board, and the politicians appointing board members.
The SPA continues its monopolistic ways, throwing nails in the path of every private company with a clever idea. East Coast stevedores and marine terminal companies rank, as “most friendly to private sector”:
#1 — Jacksonville (Jacksonville Port Authority — municipal)
#2 — Brunswick (Georgia Port Authority — state)
#3 — Savannah (Georgia Port Authority — state)
#4 — Fernandina (Nassau County, FL)
#5 — Miami (Miami-Dade Counties, FL)
#6 — Port Everglades (Broward County, FL)
#7 — Charleston (S.C. Port Authority — state)
SANFORD IS A FOE OF FREE ENTERPRISE AT THE PORT OF CHARLESTON.
Why doesn’t someone ask Mark Sanford why he has never served in the armed forces.
Sure, he very publicly became an Air Force trainee. For several weeks he trained out of state, and he and his wife were adament in this cell phone age that there was no need to turn the government over to Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (which set the stage for his hubris downfall a few years later).
Point is that Markie Mark pontificated about serving his country — and immediately transfered out of his unit when its members began being called to Iraq and Afghanistan.
That is his archilles heel.
An overlooked fact. Sanford withdrew from the State National Guard, which was a publicity stunt. He’s an embarrassment to the hundreds of thousands of veterans — living and dead — who did not drop out when the wife called him back home.
Served two “tours” or “assignments” or “visits” to an Air National Guard unit in Texas handling radio equipment maintenance. Basically, keeping equipment free of dust (with compressed air canisters from Office Depot) and covered with plastic tarps.
My hero.
Didn’t he use his reserve duty as a cover for meeting up with Chapur in ’08 or ’09? It was probably the the ideal time to blow off steam and ego build at the same time. Snarky.
It’s not an Achilles Heel until someone provides the cold, hard documentation to prove it and starts asking him about it.
It was a political stunt when he joined and someone should have done the leg work on this months ago…along with the SCDOT cash flow problem that had to be going on well before he left office and the SCDOR non-securing of files that went on for the 8 years he was governor.
Why doesn’t someone ask Mark Sanford why he has never served in the armed forces.
Sure, he very publicly became an Air Force trainee. For several weeks he trained out of state, and he and his wife were adament in this cell phone age that there was no need to turn the government over to Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (which set the stage for his hubris downfall a few years later).
Point is that Markie Mark pontificated about serving his country — and immediately transfered out of his unit when its members began being called to Iraq and Afghanistan.
That is his archilles heel.
An overlooked fact. Sanford withdrew from the State National Guard, which was a publicity stunt. He’s an embarrassment to the hundreds of thousands of veterans — living and dead — who did not drop out when the wife called him back home.
Served two “tours” or “assignments” or “visits” to an Air National Guard unit in Texas handling radio equipment maintenance. Basically, keeping equipment free of dust (with compressed air canisters from Office Depot) and covered with plastic tarps.
My hero.
Didn’t he use his reserve duty as a cover for meeting up with Chapur in ’08 or ’09? It was probably the the ideal time to blow off steam and ego build at the same time. Snarky.
It’s not an Achilles Heel until someone provides the cold, hard documentation to prove it and starts asking him about it.
It was a political stunt when he joined and someone should have done the leg work on this months ago…along with the SCDOT cash flow problem that had to be going on well before he left office and the SCDOR non-securing of files that went on for the 8 years he was governor.
Funny he should be hocking Boeing after the pwning he got from their local CEO last Sunday at the Heritage. Sandford was glad handing the crowd when the executive asked “and who are you again”. Funniest thing I’ve seen in years.
Funny he should be hocking Boeing after the pwning he got from their local CEO last Sunday at the Heritage. Sandford was glad handing the crowd when the executive asked “and who are you again”. Funniest thing I’ve seen in years.
Good Lord that was funny. You REALLY DON’T have any choices. Either way you pick SC loses again!!! 3rd party? Until we do it’s going to be more of the same as it ever was.
Good Lord that was funny. You REALLY DON’T have any choices. Either way you pick SC loses again!!! 3rd party? Until we do it’s going to be more of the same as it ever was.
A business woman who has never been in politics debating a career politician……Colbert Bush won hands down. Sanford has said the same crap so many times he sounds like a recording.Shocked he didn’t bring God into it.
Those Frank Luntz GOP talking points are soooo overused and soooo old.
The only people who still salivate when they hear them are the most uninformed Fox and Limbaugh followers.
A business woman who has never been in politics debating a career politician……Colbert Bush won hands down. Sanford has said the same crap so many times he sounds like a recording.Shocked he didn’t bring God into it.
Those Frank Luntz GOP talking points are soooo overused and soooo old.
The only people who still salivate when they hear them are the most uninformed Fox and Limbaugh followers.
If Republicans want to salvage this, they best let Colbert Busch win it, to get rid of Sanford. He’s just a boil on the butt of humanity.
If Republicans want to salvage this, they best let Colbert Busch win it, to get rid of Sanford. He’s just a boil on the butt of humanity.
Heard a reporter say this morning ” Sanford is on a road for redemption,and that’s fine,but why do we have to be part of that.It’s something he should do on his own,in private…leave us out of it.He should not be running for office.”
Boggy: “He should not be running for office”…. Sir, I believe there were at least a dozen others running for the GOP nomination, and the 1st District overwhelmingly chose Sanford over all those other ‘wannabees’
Heard a reporter say this morning ” Sanford is on a road for redemption,and that’s fine,but why do we have to be part of that.It’s something he should do on his own,in private…leave us out of it.He should not be running for office.”
Boggy: “He should not be running for office”…. Sir, I believe there were at least a dozen others running for the GOP nomination, and the 1st District overwhelmingly chose Sanford over all those other ‘wannabees’
Once a liar and a cheat, always a liar and a cheat. On every level.
Once a liar and a cheat, always a liar and a cheat. On every level.
I want Mark to lose so that he can spend all of his time with me on the beach. He said he was willing to give up everything for me………his wife,his sons,his career,yet he’s been free for four years and here I sit digging holes in the sand all alone. What’s up with him,no pun intended? My hands are cramping holding up my two magnificent,and this moonglow has gotten so dim I can hardly see.
I want Mark to lose so that he can spend all of his time with me on the beach. He said he was willing to give up everything for me………his wife,his sons,his career,yet he’s been free for four years and here I sit digging holes in the sand all alone. What’s up with him,no pun intended? My hands are cramping holding up my two magnificent,and this moonglow has gotten so dim I can hardly see.