TUESDAY'S EDITORIAL

By T&D Staff

Sanford opens himself to critics here at home

THE ISSUE: Governor's writing about Mideast conflict

OUR OPINION: Sanford article gives impression his attention elsewhere

Gov. Mark Sanford has been under fire from members of his own party in the Legislature. Lately, the chief executive and former congressman has seen the criticism come even from members of his party in Congress, including a former colleague.

In an interview with The Greenville News, U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis said the governor is "attempting some bold things" but he suggested there is a lack of coordination with congressional offices.

"Mark has a different way of operating," Inglis said. "It's a different style. We don't get much contact in that way."

Sanford also has been criticized recently by new House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, and U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett for being not doing enough to improve the state's economy via development.

Democrats have trumpeted the development issue, too. And this past week they got new ammunition to make the case that the governor is out of touch.

It's unfortunate that an article Sanford co-authored for The Daily Star, a publication based in Lebanon, will be used against him. He wrote along with Jeanne Shaheen, an observer of the Palestinian election this past January. Sanford was a member of the U.S. House's International Relations Committee during implementation of the Oslo peace process for the Middle East.

The two make solid points in arguing for a focus on an Israeli-Palestinian peace and the Bush administration's approach to achieving it.

n "Although we belong to different political parties and don't always agree on all policy issues, we do agree on this: the Bush administration is right to exercise American leadership to facilitate a two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — and such a resolution is in the national security interest of our own nation and our constituents."

n "U.S. national security is threatened every day the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues. Rightly or wrongly, the anger Arabs and other Muslims feel toward America today is heavily driven by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which remains a central source of Muslim grievances against the United States."

n "We understand that working to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian agreement will involve political risks. But sustained American leadership in fostering a consensus will help secure the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians, and make safer the lives of Americans at home — as well as the lives of the 140,000 American men and women in uniform in the Middle East today."

The governor has insight into a key issue facing our world today. But his contribution in the face of recent developments will not serve him well at home.

Senate Minority Leader John Land: "Wow! Gov. Sanford cares more about Middle-Eastern politics than the issues facing South Carolina. It's disturbing to see he has a plan for peace in the Middle East, but has no plan to create jobs in our state. ... Either Sanford is incredibly arrogant, extremely out-of-touch with reality, or both."

Before too much more damage is done, particularly within his own party, Sanford would be wise to focus on a peace plan at home.

E-mail this page

Print version

Discuss this story

Letters to the editor

Back to the top