(CNN) – South Carolina's Republican Attorney General Henry McMaster officially announced his intention to run for governor on Monday - and he did so with a not-so-subtle swipe at the state's current scandal-tainted governor, Mark Sanford.
"Taxpayers no longer trust their government," McMaster said in a web video announcing his candidacy. "There's been too much dishonesty and too many scandals. Not long ago, South Carolina was a leader in creating new jobs. I know we can do it again."
McMaster also uses the video to blame President Obama – but not Sanford - for the 39,000 jobs that have been lost in South Carolina since his inauguration.
"What we need now is new leadership to pull us together," he said. "That's why I'm running for governor. And I ask you to stand with me."
McMaster's jab is notable because the rest of the Republican candidates for governor – not wanting to be weighed down by the Sanford saga - have so far tread lightly when handling questions about the governor. Also running on the GOP side are Rep. Gresham Barrett, state Rep. Nikki Haley, state Sen. Larry Grooms. Andre Bauer, the state's Lt. Gov., is also mulling a bid.
Sanford and McMaster were elected separately and aren't considered close political allies, but the two men have had a cordial professional relationship during their two terms in office. After Sanford admitted to an affair with an Argentine woman in June - a disclosure that led to subsequent revelations about his use of state finances – McMaster asked for investigations into the governor's use of public resources.
Democrats running for governor include state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, state Sen. Robert Ford, attorney Dwight Drake, and attorney Mullins McLeod. State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex is expected to jump in the race but has not officially announced.
UPDATE: Both Barrett and Grooms have publicly called on Sanford to resign.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Just a typical Repub feeding on the carcass of another Repub. This is just another example of members of the Party of NO having nothing to offer, just criticism.
A house divided.....
The repubs are so sad... It amazes me its like Jerry Springer, but for real! Sanford is a wiener and so is the sc attorney general. JERR-Y! JERR-Y! JERR-Y!
South Carolina was number one at stealing jobs from the north, but now their number one at crying when cheaper labor takes their jobs. How's that feel? You were our Mexico in the eighties, scabs.
I'd like to "jab" the idiots at CNN coming up with the headlines. GET A NEW VOCABULARY!!
If this moron gets elected, South Carolina will remain the laughing stock of the U.S.
He is a true republican though, using the Bush like blame game, 'refuse the stimulus which would help save jobs and then blame Obama. Even the slowest of the republicans should be able to see the flaw in the argument.
yeah just more hype from the NO NO NO right
Notice when republicans screw up, their fellow republicans tell them so and give them the public criticism they deserve. When democrats screw up, their fellow democrats defend their outrageous behavior and try to copy them. It's kind of revealing of the true character of the two parties.
What makes you think a republican be the governer in SC. The one they had didnt want to take the stimullas money to help his people in his own state, just like Sarah did her people in Alaska. She is the one who got this country in a up roar with her death panel statement. She is the one who needs to be on a death panel. And you the republican people want to put some one like her on the ticket for 2012. She is a disgrace to this country.
Look at how stupid Republicans are. Want to run for Governor and yet don't know who to blame. Look, dude! Your current "Governor" Sanford is a crook & a hypocrite (I say that because he pretended he was fiscally responsible & he supported to impeach Clinton when he was the President). It was him who refused the stimulus money and now you are blaming Obama for job losses in your state since his inauguration. How stupid!
He should have mentioned that a week ago they had to give poor children shoes to wear to school in S.C., whose fault is that? It is not President Obama's fault. You would not believe the Third World Conditions in S. C. Some areas do not have water and sewer, a high illiteracy rate. Their residents come to N. C. emergency rooms for health care, and jobs. They transport their homeless to our state. The state is 50 years behind with everything.
So Sanford cheated on his wife – what's the big deal. Can't they leave the man alone.
As for cheap swipe – all swipes in politics are of the cheap variety.
But look at Ted Kennedy, he cheated and look where it got him – top of the world ma!
Sad to say, the way the " Good Old Boys" count votes here in SC
another crooked republican will win.
Why hasn't anyone started the impeachment proceedures yet.
Come on citizens of SC, there is so much more out there. Don't let these fools cheat you any more.
Instead of R or D after any government title there should be a P for politician. Because no matter what the party, ultimately every politician has one goal – feathering his own nest.
What are the high quality jobs that South Carolina has lost? The state always has been, and will continue to be a fly-over state. It wholly lack world class, grace, and couth.
It's holier than thou leaders are disgusting, and human throw back in evolution!
I wonder if Lauren has checked into what it is going to cost the states to pay back that money the stimulus money.
Wake up, people of SC! You are living in the 21st century America. It seems this dude is very comfortable telling you what to believe as if you are only as smart as a kid. Use your God-given brain more often!
If the folks in SC believe him (re: President Obama) then they deserve him.
The repubs are a class act, only they could refuse stimulus money from the govt, which was desifned to help them, and then blame Obama for job losses in their state.
No matter what Repubs have the floor, they always blaming President Obama for their failed 8 years policies. GOP have became the JOKE OF THIS COUNTRY!
Let this lying fool run so the Dems can beat the bricks of this LYING FOOLS.
South Caroline needs to let the Republican Party go, they'd be much better off if they would skip the GOP. Smarten up down south!!
Republicans run on a platform of "you can't trust government"; when we elect them, they show us why.
To paraphrase one of my favorite dead actors, "Republicans don't solve problems, Republicans ARE the problem"
The nerve blaming President Obama for all the Republican troubles.
It's never their fault and they enter into acts of self destruction. Take a long hard look at yourself honey, IT IS YOUR FAULT!
Preaching one thing and doing another. SHAME.
Sanford is a disgrace.
So much for GOP high moral, bible loving.
Shameful!