By Charmaine Smith Anderson Independent-Mail
November 14, 2005

A poll of some local legislators and residents was more favorable to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford than a recent Time magazine survey that ranked him as one of the worst governors in the nation.

"One thing people need to understand about Gov. Sanford, he is a thinker," state Rep. Ronny Townsend, R-Anderson. "He is to be commended for his out-of-the-box-type thinking."

Rep. Townsend said many of those bold ideas launched a debate about the state's public school system. An example was the "Put Parents in Charge" legislation that proposed giving tax credits to parents who want to send their child to public schools.

"Although I had a problem with the way the legislation was written, I think the dialogue that came from that was good for education," Rep. Townsend added.

In an issue released Monday, Time magazine ranks Gov. Sanford as the third-worst governor in the nation, citing the state's loss of its AAA credit rating. The survey put him behind Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who was criticized for her response to Hurricane Katrina, and Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, who pleaded guilty to charges of failing to report people paying for his golf outings.

Some like Rep. Townsend commend the governor's boldness. Others say they think he's not "in tune" with the wishes and needs of his constituents - the residents of the state. And those opinions don't seem to have anything to do with party affiliation.

Sen. Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson, and Sen. William O'Dell, R-Abbeville, both spoke in favor of the governor.

"I would have to refer to the taxpayers in my district and they've been happy with him," Sen. Bryant said.

But some criticize his boldness, saying it shows a lack of research into an issue.

State Rep. Becky Rogers Martin, R-Anderson, said she's not pleased with Gov. Sanford's forward approach on certain issues.

She also referred to the governor's "Put Parents in Charge" proposal. Rep. Martin said she felt there should have been research into the proposal - and how it would be carried out - before it was announced to the public.

"I think that he has a lot of good ideas, but it is just putting them to work that is a problem," Rep. Martin said. "I don't really think he listens to his advisors as clearly as he should. A governor should be someone who can come up ideas and the solutions that will help those ideas fall in place."

- Independent-Mail reporter Heidi Cenac contributed to this story.

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