February 27 11:03 PM

Frustrated Sanford shows bad judgment

Published in Statehouse Report

By Andy Brack SC Statehouse Report

FEB. 17, 2008 – You’ve got to feel, at least a little bit these days, for Gov. Mark Sanford.

After more than five years as governor, he’s got to be increasingly frustrated with his few accomplishments. And after a recent spate of bad judgments, it shows. Consider:

Port Royal mess. Lawmakers are considering looking more closely into some calls made by the governor surrounding the selection of a developer for the future use of the Port Royal port. Sanford acknowledged to the Associated Press that he called two top officials at the State Ports Authority to underscore reservations about the developer.

Sanford, who abstained from a vote on the deal when it reached the Budget and Control Board, said he was acting as a watchdog for taxpayers by doing limited “due diligence” through his experience as a real estate developer. While the governor likely was just trying to be helpful, any time the state’s top elected official puts in calls to a grown-up state agency, the calls certainly have the appearance of someone trying to use undue influence for a particular outcome. Bottom line: Sanford didn’t need to inject himself into the issue. Score: Bad judgment, 1; Sanford, 0.

Another call. Last year, Sanford phoned a circuit judge to discuss an annexation lawsuit after the judge issued an oral ruling, but had not submitted a written one. Sanford said he wasn’t trying to influence the outcome of the decision. The judge, interestingly, offered to recuse himself after the call.

In an editorial on the incident, The State newspaper noted how Sanford often pointed out that it was important to look right as well as be right. “There are other, far more appropriate, ways to learn the status of a case ­ calling the lawyer representing the side you favor, for example, as ordinary citizens would do,” the paper said. Score: Bad judgment, 2; Sanford, 0.

Workers’ comp case. Last month, U.S. District Judge Ross Anderson said Sanford had to explain why he told members of the Workers’ Compensation Commission how to do their jobs last year. In a series of orders in the fall, Sanford instructed commissioners to apply certain standards that would limit awards for injured workers. The orders led to a conflict between the governor and commission. Eventually, four workers filed a federal lawsuit saying their rights had been violated.

While Sanford, who has pushed to dismiss the lawsuit, has argued that he was working to improve business conditions in the state, the whole situation again looks funny – like the governor forgot that members of the commission were adults who had been doing their jobs for awhile. Score: Bad judgment, 3; Sanford, 0.

Drunk driving bill. This week as the legislature considered a measure to reform the state’s drunk driving laws, Sanford complained that a Senate version wasn’t tough enough and had too much leeway for first-time offenders. As owner of the state’s largest soap box, this expression of concern on public policy was absolutely appropriate – and he was correct. Score: Bad judgment, 3; Sanford, 1.

Sprinkler bill. Sanford this week said he would oppose a measure that offered tax credits to businesses to install sprinkler systems because it was too expensive and interjected the government too much in business. House Speaker Bobby Harrell, a proponent of the sprinkler bill, argued publicly that the governor missed the point. More importantly, Harrell added, Sanford’s position wasn’t consistent with a bill last year to help coastal residents get insurance that used a similar tax credit mechanism. Bottom line: Looking out for people is sometimes more important than looking out for business. Score: Bad judgment, 4; Sanford, 1.

Part of public leadership is to be able to use and display good judgment. Even though the governor’s national Club for Growth buddies are touting his name as a vice presidential contender, his recent displays of bad judgment reinforce what a really bad idea it would be to have him on any presidential ticket.

Andy Brack, publisher of S.C. Statehouse Report, can be reached at: brack@statehousereport.com.

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