Sanford's stimulus battle comes to likely end
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/03/11/art.sanfordpt0311.gi.jpg caption="South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford had resisted taking the federal stimulus money."](CNN) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's prolonged campaign to reject $700 million in federal stimulus funds - an effort that earned him praise from some national conservatives but also angered many in his own state - appears to have come to an end.
The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that the governor must accept the federal cash designated for education funding.
Sanford, who might run for president in 2012, had resisted taking the money even when the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a budget that included the funds.
The court on Thursday stated that "under South Carolina law, the General Assembly has the sole authority to direct the appropriation of funds and, therefore, is the entity which decides whether the State desires to receive the funds."
Students and education officials in the state filed lawsuits last month demanding that the governor take the money, and Sanford tried to have the lawsuits merged and heard in federal court. On Monday, however, a federal judge rejected that attempt, and said that the South Carolina Supreme Court must decide what to do.
Sanford has scheduled a press conference on the decision this afternoon. He said earlier this week that he will not appeal the South Carolina Supreme Court's decision.
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I guess the theme of the Political Ticker this afternoon is Idiot Republican Governors who are completely full of it.
Sorry Sanford. The people in SC will be educated now and will NOT ever vote for you in any position again.
Stimulus zombies in SC clawing at the Governor for dollars!
GIMMEE GIMMEE GIMMEEE
Just another example of a politician who is more concerned with running for office than serving his constituents. He thinks he'll get votes from conservatives if he runs for president because he refused the stimulus package (on principle).
Citizens of South Carolina should vote to impeach him!
You canbend just so far, then your looking at your own Rear-End.
Good thing he's taking the money because he himself is and Idiot and needs to go back to school.................LOL good thing the money is there to help him learn
If he doesn't fight the decision the the SC Supreme Court, then he is just a spineless tool of the liberal agenda and does not deserve to be a presidential candidate for the GOP in 2012.
Fight-Fight-Fight!!!!
activist judges! activist judges!
It was just a ploy on part of the governor to get support from right wing base of GOP. Without that base support no Republican can get nomination. So pathetic.
Sanford is done – SC has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and does he care if people are going without food? No way all he is interested in is moving to DC so he won;'t have to look his constitutents in the face. He's a fool!
Just like another Repuklian thinking that he is above the LAW.......And he might want to run for President? LMBO Palin and Sanford on the losing ticket will ensure another 4 more years for Obama..Keep talking your trash..Follow your leader RUSH the druggie....Bouncy Bouncy Rush....
"Sanford, who might run for president in 2012, had resisted taking the money even when the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a budget that included the funds."
This man is an idiot. He'll run in 2012 and maybe get 15% of the vote. He thinks that Rush, Newt, Palin and all the other right wing wacos think they represent Americans. They don't except for the 15% of the other wacos. They still can not understand that the American people rejected their policies and tactics. But their so dumb that they keep trying.
Mr. Sanford. For god's sake look at the shambles of your state. Forget you. Look at the state.
Ruff Ruff. That's the sound of something coming back to bite you in the butt.
SR June 4th, 2009 3:56 pm ET
I guess the theme of the Political Ticker this afternoon is Idiot Republican Governors who are completely full of it.
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Since when does standing up for one's belief makes him or her an idiot? Nobody says you have to agree.
Bu6t when Obama went to Israel he got all kinds o9f Crap Praise for sticking a piece of paper behind the Wailing Wall. Come on CNN Tell the truth...
Here's a question... when a governor's constituents have to sue him to do the job they hired him to do, does SC allow for recall or impeachment?
I wonder how many people have been to South Carolina and seen first hand how poor the state is. The educational standard is not very high and that's only the tip of the iceberg. By the way, if anyone decides to go please hop on the Amtrak "choo choo" and get off at one of the stations in the boonies. You'd think you were in a third world country. You ask the people why things are that way and they will tell you that the government does not care. Hopefully the new administration will change it.
Hey "Shirley in California Now on the Fence Re Obama" ...... nice comment!! I agree.
Poor Sanford, he bet against his state and lost! The people of South Carolina will be voting the schmuck out of office!
He and Sarah should pair up and run for President and V.P. in 2012. Another 4 years guaranteed to the Dems. Two pees in a pot, if ever there were any. How can people vote for characters like this? The pickings must be very small indeed to elevate these hateful characters to Governors of their states.
Like a deer in the headlights! SLAP!! Reality hits again...lol
@jon in ca
I don't think they are going to be handing the money out in streets. The point of the stimulus is to spur growth through job creation, such as schools, infrastructure, libraries, and those types of things.
The people of SC aren't asking for a handout, they are asking for jobs that those dollars will help create.
So he gets the praise for making a stance and eventually gets the money too. How so unexpected.
Did his office REALLY need the Supreme Court of the State to tell him that the General Assembly has the sole authority to direct the appropriations of funds. I imagine most South Carolina 12th graders knew this.
You liberals are truly id.i.ots. It IS NOT POLITICALLY EXPEDIENT to have rejected the stimulus. You drooling libtards are all too quick to grab free money regardless of consequences.
He happened to make the TOUGH, RIGHT DECISION by not allowing the federal govt to control SC, which they will now do based on acceptance of the stimilus.
You libtards are so brainwashed, i fear there is no hope in you.