Sanford dismisses Bauer plea to resign

COLUMBIA — Gov. Mark Sanford dismissed the latest call for him to resign office Wednesday, this time coming from Lt. Gov. André Bauer, who said the governor is a constant distraction at a time when the state’s focus should be on fixing the economy and education.

If Sanford voluntarily stepped down or the General Assembly removed the governor from office before fall, Bauer vowed not to run for governor next year.

But if neither take any action before October, Bauer said, he would then jump into the already crowded race.

“While I would certainly prefer to serve a full four-year term as governor, the work that must be done during the next year, prior to the November 2010, cannot be ignored,” Bauer said. “The needs of the people cannot wait.”

While Sanford compared Bauer’s offer to “some form of heaven on earth,” the governor said it wasn’t the right time for him to step down.

“There is an amazing capacity for forgiveness ... all across the state,” Sanford said.

He also said, “I’m not going to be railroaded out of this office by political opponents or folks who were never fans of mine in the first place. A lot of what is going on now is pure politics, plain and simple.”

The governor also strongly defended his record as a watchdog for the taxpayer.

Sanford is under investigation by the State Ethics Commission for his use of state aircraft. But he lashed back at critics, saying that in years past, some state employees, though he offered no names, have traveled across the Atlantic on the supersonic Concorde jet. The average cost of a Concorde flight before it was retired ran about $3,000.

The governor hasn’t said whether he will make the Ethics Commission’s findings public record.

Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said the governor’s refusal to step aside continues to hold back the state.

“I commend the lieutenant governor for his statemanship today, but it is unfortunate that the governor continues to want to drag our state through this turmoil,” Leatherman said. “This has got to end at some point.”

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, released a statement late Wednesday saying any action by the General Assembly must be free of any political motives.

“It is crucial that this discussion be handled in the most professional manner possible,” Harrell said. “I urge Gov. Sanford to allow the Ethics Commission to do its work in the open so that all can see that it is a public and transparent process.”

Attorney General Henry McMaster, a candidate for governor, requested the investigation by the commission, but said Tuesday it’s not his place as an officer of the state to offer his opinion on whether Sanford should stay or go.

Whether Sanford should resign has become a political football in the 2010 governor’s race.

Before Bauer’s pledge not to run if Sanford resigned, many gubernatorial candidates were worried Bauer would have the upper hand in the election as an incumbent.

Sen. David Thomas, R-Greenville, chairs a Senate subcommittee that also is investigating the governor for his travel expenses while in office.

“It looks like this is a major break with this taking place of André’s decision,” Thomas said. “It will move the House into action.”

The House Republican Caucus is meeting in Myrtle Beach during the weekend for its annual retreat where Sanford is sure to be a hot topic.

The only way for the General Assembly to remove Sanford from office before the new session starts in January is for Harrell to call them back to Columbia.

“The governor hasn’t listened to us in seven years,” said Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Bamburg, a member of the House Judiciary Committee. “Hopefully the Speaker will wake up and listen to these calls. We’re ready to go.”