Sanford's legacy not set in stone

Ask Gov. Mark Sanford what he's accomplished during his first term, and he can rattle off a laundry list of items.

An income tax cut for small businesses, medical and business lawsuit reforms, changes at the state Department of Motor Vehicles that drastically reduced wait times, getting a statewide charter school bill through the Legislature, repaying trust funds raided during lean budget years, and wiping out an accounting deficit that had been on the books for more than a decade are among the items on Sanford's checklist.

"Our accomplishments are tied to delivering on what we promised to do when we ran," Sanford said. "We ran on the notion of economic empowerment, of making South Carolina a better home for mine and Jenny's four boys and thousands of other kids and grandkids out there in South Carolina, and I think we've begun the process of delivering on that. We ran on the idea of improving education, and in terms of making structural changes, we've begun that process, and we ran on improving the quality of life."

But ask around the Statehouse what he's gotten done, and the answer isn't so clear-cut.

Legislators almost unanimously agree that the late Carroll Campbell's hallmark accomplishment was creating jobs. With Jim Hodges, it's implementing the lottery or the creation of the First Steps early education initiative.

But Sanford? You mostly get shrugs, smirks and flip comments from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

"He rode a bicycle across the state," said Rep. Dan Cooper, R-Piedmont, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

"He carried pigs into the Statehouse," said Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Columbia.

"It's sad to say, but I can't think of anything," said Rep. Harry Ott, D-St. Matthews, the House minority leader.

The fact that Sanford sees things one way and members of the Legislature see them quite differently isn't surprising. They've been frequent sparring partners over the past four years.

Sanford says it's because he's sought to change the way things are done in Columbia -- members of his administration might hold the record for the number of times they've referred to the "status quo." Lawmakers put the blame on Sanford, saying he refuses to work with them.

Sanford said "work with me" in Columbia too often means "do it our way."

"We consistently look for ways to work with people," he said, citing the charter school bill as an example. "But when they say work with us and grow government at 13 percent, we say we respectfully disagree."

Sanford does have his supporters in the Legislature. Rep. Scott Talley, R-Moore, said no one has looked out for the taxpayer more than Sanford.

While Talley acknowledges that Sanford hasn't gotten any of his big-ticket items through the Legislature, he said his four years have been successful on another front.

"He's changing the debate in Columbia and creating a sense of awareness among the public about fiscal policy," Talley said. "While his mannerisms and methods may be unique, he's been consistent about looking out for taxpayer dollars."

Neal Thigpen, a Francis Marion University political scientist and Republican activist, said Talley is an exception to the rule. Thigpen said he's found that many people connected with the government don't like Sanford, but that the governor scores points where it counts.

"It's Joe Six Pack who likes him," Thigpen said. "They say he's the first guy who has come along who stands up to the guys in the Legislature, and they like that."

Eric Swanson, who owns a small business in Spartanburg, is among Sanford's legion of supporters. He sides with the governor in his battles with the Legislature.

"I believe when Mark Sanford makes a decision, he is thinking of the people of South Carolina and their future," Swanson said. "Legislators think first and foremost about how it's going to affect their ability to raise money to run for re-election again and again."

Sanford has proven quite adept at raising money himself -- he's got about $5 million on hand for his re-election bid.

So far, Sanford has used precious little cash in advance of the June 13 Republican primary, in which he faces Prosperity physician Oscar Lovelace. Sanford is dismissive of Lovelace's challenge -- he won't say his name and has refused to debate him.

"With all due respect to that candidacy, we've had 30-something meetings around the state and there have been different straw polls, and every one of them we've won 90-10 or 85-15," Sanford said. "That's telling me there are a lot of people out there who believe in what we're trying to do and where we're trying to go. If it was a 50-50 kind of thing, I'd be a bit more compelled, but based on a lot of what we've seen and visits we've had, we're saying we'll get to it if we can get to it after the session is out and things quiet down."

Robert W. Dalton can be reached at 562-7274 or bob.dalton@shj.com.