Sanford steps out, criticizes Romney and Pawlenty
(CNN) - Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford stepped off the political sidelines on Friday, saying he is still searching for a Republican presidential candidate to support.
In the process, he lobbed some thinly veiled criticisms at two candidates already in the race, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
"Right now, I've been disappointed on the degree to which people are stepping out or not on real remedies," Sanford said during a Fox News interview. "Whether it is saying OK, we can grow at a certain percentage rate of growth that hasn't happened in 30, 40 years as a way of solving economic problems. Certain folks have not weighed into the debate until after it passed. I think that is not what we need."
Pawlenty rolled out an economic plan in June that included the optimistic goal of a 5% annual growth rate for the nation, a target that economists and political observers dismissed as unrealistic.
And Romney was recently criticized by Democrats and some Republicans for not taking a firm position on the federal debt ceiling debate until a deal was reached. Romney then came out against it.
Sanford, who spoke out on spending and debt issues long before the tea party movement arrived, named New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan as two Republicans he would support because of their willingness to make unpopular fiscal decisions.
"I would say the attributes that I'm looking for at this point is a combination of Paul Ryan and Chris Christie," Sanford said. "I think we need somebody who is willing to get under the hood as Paul Ryan has, in real detail not political platitudes, but in real detail say here's where we can cut here, here's where we can reform here's where we can change. I think he's done a remarkable job on that front."
Though his second term ended in January under a cloud of scandal following his dramatic admission of an affair with an Argentinian woman, Sanford left the governor's mansion with solid approval ratings and a following among grassroots Republicans who admired his unapologetic fiscal conservatism.
From CNN Politics
- Lawmakers reluctant to pursue gun control measures following Nashville school shooting
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- DeSantis plans to travel to Jerusalem as tumult strains Netanyahu-Biden relationship
- Harris faces painful Black history in emotional slave outpost visit
- Kentucky law aimed at increasing parental oversight in education takes effect
- New York grand jury won't hear Trump case again this week
ha ha ha ha ha - he also went searching all the way to South America to find a "soul-mate". Maybe his candidate is hiding down there somewhere. Or maybe on the Appalachian Trail. Keep looking, you low-life, keep looking. Perry may fit your hypocritical fake-christian ways.
Sanford is bought and paid for by FoxNews, and the Bachmann-Perry group. What credibility does this ridiculous man have? Furthermore, the credibility of those who are attempting to give him a voice should be scrutinized.
Sanford: do us all a favor – stop talking and never come back to politics.
This may be the only thing I agree with Sanford about.......but he is correct, there is currently no strong contender. In fact, many of the GOP candidates, are rubber stamps of each other.
Where's Teddy Roosevelt, when you need him?
Sanford ruined his credibility by lying to his wife, family, and state. He had the ability to do great things but he could not live without his paramour.
Mark Sanford always have good judgment
Keep looking, Mark... Why don't you try the "Mirror, mirror on the wall..." bit that Cheney did?
I could hear it now- "Mirror, mirror on the wall... Who's the most unelectable of all?"
Dont Cry For Me Argentina !
No one cares what Sanford thinks!
Oh yeah... the GOP needs another nut-job for their line-up of economic terrorists. I'm looking forward to the next election to vote out all of the GOP hostage-takers and replace them with somebody who cares about working class Americans.
I do not agree much with Sanford's nonsense, but the choices within the GOP field have become ridiculous–a flip flopper, secessionist, teabagger, hypocritical philanderer. You must be joking. And Ryan's destruction of Medicare and Christie's Bush-style are unfortunately no better.
President Obama may not be perfect (no one really is), but many Americans will vote for President Obama any day when considering the alternatives.
If TR were around today, and if he was willing to help the current republican party, he likely would begin by throwing out the tea-baggers.
Considering South Carolina's history for demonstrating everything that's wrong in social and political America (slavery, segregation, opposition to protecting the environment, opposition to the right of people to collectively bargain, undercutting workers' wages, opposition to Social Security, opposition to child labor....and the list goes on and on) Romney AND Pawlenty must be doing something right!
To think once Sanford was considered a leading GOP candidate for President...yes he dishonored his own family and especially his state...which already has a terrible reputation as one of the most right-wing extremist in the nation. But thanks to all the nuts in AZ, they aren't the worst at least.
He is angling for a job. Watch him show up as one the Murdoch blowhards in few weeks. He has to move fast the Brits are going to nail Rupert and his criminal gang masquerading as a news organization.
@ Rick McDaniel I agree. I would take either Roosevelt over anybody out there in either party, but I think if Teddy were here now,he would be a Democrat.
Does anyone even care what this cheating toad wants? Why is this EVEN news? Short news day?
I'm a Democrat who supports President Obama and probably will vote for him again, but i agree with Sanford's point about how we don't need these Candidates to give opinions AFTER the fact. It would be nice if the Republicans would produce a candidate who actually has their own opinion and isn't afraid to say what they think might help, instead of focusing like a laser beam on tearing down the President. We need real solutions now, the time for partisan bickering has passed. We have already embarrassed ourselves before the world. This is coming from a young 30 year old.........
Nobody cares about this Lizard Gingrich clone. Snooki Palin is ready to take Bachmann's money and TV interviews.
Finally, Sanford makes sense. The current Republican field reminds me of clowns piling out of a small car. I can't believe these people actually think they are superior to President Obama. Oh, is he with his "soul mate" now?
He should back Gingrich, and you all know why.
May be this guy should a buy a nice in place in Argentina and settle over there. No more politics for you Mr. Sanford, You have too much of male hormone that can cloud your thinking.
All of these Republicans basically don’t get it ..
Blind leading the Blind.
A lot of people see but a few knows ,give the man a break. Said enough.
Guess Sanford got tired of hiking the Appalachian trail...
Now, he has stayed quiet for awhile waiting like so many others that
have disgraced their families and the offices they held, and thinks all
is forgotten and forgiven.
I doubt if he is as fortunate in that area as he thinks or hopes he is...
Ok candidates, who wants support from a gutless adulterer whom abandoned his state just to get some tail?