Sanford leaning against another run for office

By John O'Connor - John O'Connor

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Gov. Mark Sanford said he does not believe he will again run for elective office after his second, and final, term expires in 2010.

A former U.S. representative, Sanford believes he could wield more influence on issues he cares about outside of a legislative body.

"I've learned never to say never," Sanford said, "but if I had wanted to run for U.S. Senate I would have done it last time (when Fritz Hollings retired in 2004), when there wasn't an incumbent.

"Politics for the rest of my life is not (in my plans). ... Life doesn't end when politics end."

South Carolina politicos have speculated about Sanford's future, especially if U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham leaves office to join a John McCain administration.

Graham has said he has no intention to leave the Senate if McCain wins.

But Sanford indicated he looked forward to continue fighting for the same issues he has pursued as governor: land conservation, lower taxes and limiting government spending.

In some ways, he said, he might be more effective as a private citizen than as a governor who has to deal with every issue that crosses his desk. Likewise, Sanford would not have to deal with the constitutional limits of the governor's authority.

Sanford and the General Assembly have feuded for six years over Sanford's proposed reforms, items such as government restructuring, cutting taxes and limiting spending, that have stalled because of those limits.

"In the private sector, you can pick just one thing," he said. "Singleness of focus really matters."

Rising star

Sanford enjoys a strong national profile, with groups such as The Club for Growth and others routinely touting his efforts in South Carolina as examples to be followed for cutting taxes and spending.

For a time, Sanford was considered a potential running mate for McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee. Sanford's chances were surely hurt by a CNN appearance last month in which the governor stumbled in answering basic questions asked of political surrogates. Ultimately, he was not chosen.

But that hasn't removed Sanford from the list of Republicans with a promising future in national politics.

Sanford is credited with being a strong fundraiser, easily raising millions for his own governor's campaigns and helping the Republican Governors Association break its own record in raising more than $10 million earlier this year.

Sanford is in high demand in Minnesota, said state GOP chairman Katon Dawson, noting he has received more requests from groups for Sanford to appear than any other state Republican.

When Hurricane Gustav forced Texas Gov. Rick Perry to cancel plans to speak on behalf of the Republican Governors Association, Sanford stepped in.

That meant leaving South Carolina at 4 a.m. to arrive in Minneapolis for a speaking slot axed because of schedule changes.

Sanford said his schedule has been "a blur."

"He's probably one of the most popular Republicans in the country," Dawson said. "He has a large profile. It's easy for people to understand what Mark stands for."

Another Newt?

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, and Sanford have occasionally clashed, especially over the state budget. But Harrell agreed that Sanford could be an important advocate for conservative issues.

"He's a popular governor in South Carolina," Harrell said, "but he's very popular with conservative folks all over the country."

Brian Darling, a congressional analyst with the Heritage Foundation in Washington, compared Sanford to Republican heavyweights such as former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. All three are former U.S. representatives who have founded nonprofit groups that promote conservative public policies. Sanford does not have that clout yet, Darling said, but he could earn it.

"He's clearly somebody who is very ideological," Darling said. "He's someone who has a lot of credibility as a conservative.

"He's clearly a guy who does what he believes is right. It's a matter of whether he wants to do it in South Carolina or come to Washington."

The national attention this year has been flattering, Sanford said, but his Beaufort County home -- or maybe some beach time on Sullivans Island -- is beckoning.

"I'm not going away on that stuff," Sanford said of his issues. "I will always be involved in the process because I care deeply what happens in South Carolina."