Mar 31, 2009

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Charleston area residents plan to rally to convince South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford to accept $700 million
in federal stimulus money.

The lunchtime rally is set for a Charleston park near the local employment office. A similar rally is planned Wednesday at the
Statehouse in Columbia.

Sanford has until Friday to decide on whether to take the federal cash.

He told an audience Monday at Furman University, his alma mater, that using the federal stimulus money wastes time and stymies restructuring in South Carolina government.

http://www.nbcaugusta.com/explorepolitics/42192827.html

And protest they did. Its all over the news here.

More?

Okay!

bring it on!!! lol...i took my pain meds...i feel nuttin

OBAMA LETTER TO SANFORD: IF YOU DO NOT APPLY FOR FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS, MONEY WILL NOT BE THERE

Among the numerous rumors swirling around Columbia tonight is a report that President Barack Obama has told Gov. Mark Sanford that if he does not apply for federal stimulus funds, the money will not be available for South Carolina.

And The Palmetto Scoop has now confirmed that Obama has, in fact, sent Sanford a very blunt, personal letter saying just that.

The correspondence reportedly states that roughly $700 million in discretionary stimulus money allocated for South Carolina will be revoked on Friday if Sanford declines to accept the funds and that, by law, no alternative options can be accepted.

The letter is in line with a nonbinding opinion issued Tuesday by Attorney General Henry McMaster that said Sanford — not state lawmakers — have the final say over whether the state accepts federal stimulus money.

“Under the (stimulus act’s) express provisions, only the Governor (or in other cases, other officials pursuant to the particular terms of the Act) may apply to the Secretary of Education (or other federal agencies) for such funds, based upon the federal criteria for eligibility of such funds,” McMaster wrote. “Federal law bestows upon the Governor, as chief executive of the State, the discretion as to whether to apply for these funds.”

Sanford has requested on numerous occasions that the money be used to pay down debt. Obama has repeatedly denied those requests.

But tonight — with the deadline to accept stimulus funding only 72 hours away — marked the first time that Obama has formally told Sanford that he must either take the money or lose it.

Obama’s letter would explain reports that Sanford has approached the General Assembly with an offer to cut a deal. Sanford has allegedly offered to accept the stimulus money if the legislature diverts state funds to pay off debt.

The Palmetto Scoop will publish a full copy of Obama’s letter to Sanford as soon as it becomes available.

I will also hit on some of the other rumors as soon as I can confirm them.

_________

UPDATED: As promised, here is the letter from the White House to Sanford, which turned out to be by way of Sen. Lindsey Graham.

http://www.palmettoscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/WhiteHouseletter.pdf

Most notably, the White House hits Sanford with this blunt line:

It would be an unfortunate (and we believe unintended) policy outcome if the children of South Carolina were to be deprived their share of federal stimulus dollars, which South Carolina citizens have already paid for, because the Governor chooses not to apply for available funds– especially in circumstances where the State legislature would be willing to make application on behalf of the State if it were allowed by statute to do so.


http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2009/03/31/take-it-or-lose-it/

just give me the money....i'm better than the banks

so then, South Carolina is not for sale?

Sanford will probably be impeached. Worse, (better?)run out on a rail!

The people of SC will suffer for his political ambitions.

SC sold out years ago. I think they recieve $1.65 in Fed aide for every $1.00 their residents pay in Fed income tax already.

why?

A string of Republican Governors!

Serious though!
They have many issues. Many of which could have been addressed by the stimulus money!

Unfortunately, Sanford wants to be President and he is one of the ones in-line for the Rep Party leadership!

I don't get how that would help get him elected though

Their unemployment is 2nd highest in the nation right now and their education system ranks like 37th in the nation. 83% of the stimulus money was to be used for education.

Sanford has traded their needs for his own political ambitions!

i don't get that....if he is hurting his state...why would he expect to be supported?

Its a Republican platform thing.
If he expects their approval and help he has to conform to their ideas!

ok...i still don't get it. not trying to be difficult. i don't see how hurting the people when they need money is going to get him anywhere

Nationally?
Im sure the Republican Party loves him.

State wise its about to get him impeached!

i suspect with bad press...it will be held against him

Im banking on it, but the Republicans are desperate and trying to make Obama's efforts fail.

Sanford will either suck up the glory or pay a heavy price.

My guess?
He'll pay the heavy price.

They interviewed him today and he was stuttering.
I guess he expected all those white SC Republicans to give up their children's futures and blindly support his stupidity.

That didnt happen!

i don't get politicians from any side