Sanford Begins 2nd Term With Speech, Barbecue

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was sworn in for a second time Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Justice Jean Toal administered the oath of office during a ceremony at the Statehouse.

Then in his second inaugural address, he asked the people of South Carolina to join him in embracing change.

"Our vision is that South Carolina becomes a state that is second to none in providing economic opportunities to its people," Sanford said. "A place where its citizens are better-educated, healthier and ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

Sanford was sworn into office shortly after Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer and other constitutional officers. Education Superintendent Jim Rex is the only Democrat in the group.

"The inaugural is important for a couple of reasons, the biggest of which is that it's a very tangible reminder of the fact that this second term is indeed a new beginning, and a new chance to continue moving forward on our agenda for change," Sanford said.

With the official business concluded, Sanford and his family held an open house at the Governor's Mansion and concluded the festivities with a barbecue at the Farmers' Market Watermelon Shed.

The two-acre building became a a cozy spot where thousands came to celebrate, eat barbecue from 13 different restaurants across the state and enjoy beach music from South Carolina's own Swinging Medallions and The Tams.

Inauguration Day began with a prayer service at Trinity Episcopal Church across the street from the Statehouse.

The Reverend Gregg Surratt of Sea Coast Christian Community Church in Mount Pleasant was the featured speaker.

Surratt told the state's leaders that it's important to remain humble. He said one way to do that is to listen to friendly adversaries, which may be Democrats or Republicans.

About 300 people were at the service.

Tuesday night the state’s Republicans held a more formal gala, a place for the bow-tie-and-ball-gown crowd to mingle and celebrate with the eight GOP statewide office-holders who election or re-election in November.

Crab cakes and pulled pork were on the menu for the $250 per person event. About 700 people attended.

One of the main items on Sanford's agenda for his second term is changing the way the state's government works.

Under the current system, Sanford said that the executive branch has a difficult time carrying out its primary duty, which is to operate the state's governmental agencies under legislation passed by the general assembly.

But the state's constitution, which spells out the governor's powers, was written in 1895, during post-Civil War reconstruction.

Sanford said it was primarily written out of fear that a black man might become governor.

"What they did was they took the traditional functions of the executive branch and diffused them into the wind such that even if a black man was elected governor, it wouldn't matter anyway because he wouldn't have any responsibility," Sanford told WYFF News 4's Myra Ruiz. "That is a crazy way to run our state in the 21st century."

Education Superintendent-elect Jim Rex will be the only Democrat sworn into statewide office on Wednesday.

Rex held a gala last night celebrating his election. Author Pat Conroy addressed the group of about 750 people.

Conroy said South Carolinians should support Rex's efforts to improve student achievement.

Outgoing Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum said she's happy to turn the program over to Rex, a former teacher, coach and college president.

Tenenbaum did not seek re-election.

Rex defeated Republican Karen Floyd by 455 votes in the closely contested race in November.