About six years ago, I followed then-U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford around during his visit to the Grand Strand.

The hot topic was casino boats. Sanford sat down with a manager of the Stardancer in Little River that day and said: "It's such a horrible conversation because I'm saying I'm against you. I wish I had better news, but I don't."

He said the majority of his constituents wanted the boats gone and, as an elected leader, he had the responsibility to represent the will of the people - or convince them of a better way. He promptly pushed for a boat ban. He convinced me it was possible for a politician to be candid, no matter the situation.

So I asked him if the Confederate flag should be taken down. He said it wasn't his call to make, but he felt it should be removed.

I've spoken with him a few times since but hadn't heard his views about today's lightning rod issue: same-sex marriage.

There is a move to amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage - in a state where it already is prohibited. Legislators have made it a higher priority than finalizing free-pour legislation and will debate the issue this week.

I stole a few minutes with Sanford during a recent news conference. Sanford said he often doesn't focus on such bills until they reach his desk. But this won't reach his desk. Voters will decide in 2006.

I wanted to know what he thought because I think our most powerful leaders should help guide us, particularly knowing such an amendment could unintentionally affect other rights. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston County, has said the amendment, which might affect contracts between non-married men and women as well as denying even civil unions for same-sex couples, might be unconstitutional.

Sanford told me there is constitutionally based equal protection for all, and he would be concerned if the amendment curtailed those rights.

In other words, I'm not sure where he stands on the amendment or what he thinks about same-sex marriage.

As governor, amending the constitution isn't his call, just as it wasn't his call to remove the Confederate flag. But he answered anyway, with conviction and clarity, even knowing that the Republican governor before him lost to a Democrat in an overwhelmingly Republican state largely because he spoke against the flag.

I would love it if Sanford answered with the same conviction and clarity on this issue.

ONLINE | To read past columns, go to Bailey's page at MyrtleBeachOnline.com.