Mark Sanford: The New GOP?
Five months ago, I argued that South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford would “stand for the future of the GOP.” I’ll take this opportunity that in that same post, I wrote:
The Spy would like to see Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, get a keynote slot. This lady is dynamite and would send several critical messages for the GOP. She doesn’t mess around and, if there is any truth to the Straight Talk Express, Sarah Palin will have a prime place on the train.
After getting it’s fanny whooped (and not in a good way), the Republican Party is desperate for an extreme makeover. It needs to shed itself of the old white guys that have dominated party nominations since John Fremont in 1856 and see what it can do about joining the 21st Century.
Governor Sanford has publicly stated that his last campaign was … his LAST campaign. I don’t know what he is planning post-State House in 2010, but a few things are certain.
- He can’t run for Governor
- He’s already served as Congressman, so that won’t happen
- Lindsey Graham just won re-election and Jim DeMint, will no doubt run for re-election in 2010. DeMint is popular both in state and nationally with the Party and conservatives. So, a Senate seat won’t be available.
- No cabinet position, ambassadorship or other administration-appointed post.
Yesterday, FoxNews.com posted an interesting piece titled “Republicans Look For Rising Stars to Shape Party’s Future.” In it was this passage:
GOPAC Chairman and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele said Republicans need to get back to the basics and focus on the issues that made them popular during the Reagan years.
“We are a conservative party. We should be proud of that fact. We should not get mired and lost in adding a whole lot to it,” Steele said.
“I think Reagan spoke very clearly to that which is why he was able to make conservatism cool. It was a cool thing to be a conservative and I think that is something we kind of lost sight of. We loaded it up with all kinds of things that probably weighed us down, and people didn’t want to carry as baggage,” he said. “No one wants to be judged by a political party.”
Steele said Palin, former White House budget chief Rob Portman, 52, and South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, 48, will help the party move forward.
“We have a phenomenal farm team, we just never developed it. We never groomed it. And now its time to do that because these are the men and women that are going to have to step up for us and reconnect with the American people,” he said.
In June, I also wrote a piece on Michael Steele in which I offered:
The Republican Party has more to offer the country and our future than old white guys. Put Ronald Reagan’s vision and policies in Michael Steele’s hands, and watch the meter jump.
Obviously, I’m a big Steele fan. I’ve seen him in action in Maryland and recognize him as smart, eloquent, funny and committed to conservative principals. He’s also practical and is a visionary politician. If Michael Steele endorses someone, stop and listen.
As for Mark Sanford, if he does succumb to the call of his party and country, there is a place for him. Whomever the GOP puts up to run at the top of the 2012 ticket will be sacrificial, thus, they can’t afford to put up a quality candidate that will be needed later. That means Bobby Jindal, Sarah Palin, Tim Pawlenty, Mark Sanford or Jim De Mint can’t be at the top of the ticket. Instead, install a red-shirt VP candidate to get national exposure and campaign experience (and state candidate IOUs). That person would then be positioned for the top of the ticket at the end of the presumed Obama regime in 2016.
In that scenario, the Governor would be a very good choice.
