COLUMBIA - The Republican governor plans to travel the state in the days leading up to the June 13 primary to talk about a bloated state-spending plan that he called "an abysmal failure."

He's doing it as the governor - not a candidate - though with elections so soon, both personas could benefit.

This time of year, Sanford normally would be combing through the $6.6 billion budget, draining the ink in his line-item veto pen. But Senate and House leaders delayed the formal ratification of the budget bill after the governor threatened to force lawmakers back to Columbia next week at a cost of $80,000 a day.

"As a result of what I would call budget gamesmanship, we are going to delay getting me the budget until next Wednesday. ... Then we'll have five days, and I can't call them in next week," Sanford said at a press conference the day after the Legislature adjourned.

"I said OK if you guys aren't coming to town, I'm going to your town."

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said "it's time for him to stop playing politics."

"We've done just about everything that he's wanted us to do this year, and he still wants to play politics," he added.

The tour also gives Sanford a pretext to avoid a televised debate with his GOP primary challenger Oscar Lovelace, a

Midlands physician.

Lovelace challenged the incumbent governor to a debate in March. Sanford said at the time that he was "open to the possibility come June" after the legislative session ended.

S.C. ETV scheduled a debate for June 7, but Sanford said Friday he doubted he would attend.

He blamed the budget antics and his busy schedule but added that Lovelace isn't a credible candidate. "I'm stretched as it is," he said. "People know where I stand on issues."

Lovelace said he was disappointed. "I feel he owes it to the people of South Carolina," he said.

GOP political analyst Dave Woodard of Clemson University wasn't surprised with the debate excuse, nor Sanford's willingness to challenge lawmakers in his own party. "He is running for re-election and putting his prestige on the line," Woodard said. "He fights with the Legislature in his television ads, that's a big campaign issue for him."

The political implications are larger than just his campaign. Twenty-four House members face primary opposition, including a number of vulnerable Republicans that are under attack by a nonprofit political group with close ties to Sanford.

Sanford said he would travel to some of those areas to criticize the lawmakers.

"It would be near impossible to cover large portions of South Carolina without having to hit some of those districts," he said.

Reach John Frank at jbfrank@postandcourier.com or (803) 799-9051.