Economy, Reform Top State Of State Priorities

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford delivered his fourth state-of-the-state address Wednesday, a speech that focused on his vision for economic development and governmental reform.

Read the text of Sanford's Speech

Sanford talked about his administration's efforts to attract jobs and streamline government and what still needs to be done.

"For all that we have gotten done, we still have many miles to go in improving our state," Sanford told the joint session of the General Assembly. "Too many South Carolinians don't have work, or work that fully uses their talents."

Sanford's priorities since his election in November 2002 have been creating more jobs by attracting business investment and improving education.

He said that it is critical that South Carolina be more competitive.

"Our state is a state in transition. We've been hit hard as textile jobs have moved to China and India and other places," Sanford said, adding that state workers "literally compete with the rest of the world."

The speech, while not overtly political, will likely be a launching point for Sanford's re-election campaign.

With the governor facing challenges from Democrats and even a fellow Republican, USC Upstate political science professor Ron Romine said the stakes were high for this year's speech.

"(Since) he's up for re-election this year as he is, clearly that puts an added emphasis on this," Romine said.

Sanford acknowledged the coming election in his speech, but asked legislators to put partisanship aside for the good of the state.

"Let's not let politics get in the way of making a difference in the lives of our people in this state," Sanford said. "Between now and June let's focus on the business at hand."

The state Democratic Party, which hopes to unseat Sanford in November's election, was quick to focus on deriding Sanford's speech -- even as he was still giving it. Party Executive Director Lachlan McIntosh sent out eight e-mails to the media during the televised address.

One of those e-mails contained a statement by party chairman Joe Erwin of Greenville.

"With tonight's speech, Sanford again refuses to take responsibility for his failed policies, and as sinking approval ratings indicate, the voters have about had enough," Erwin said in the statement. "In November, we’ll have the opportunity to elect a Governor who will move South Carolina forward again."

State Sen. John Land III, offered the Democrats response to the speech. He said that Sanford's proposals are too little, too late.

"It's like what folks in my part of the state say: 'When it's all said and done, there's been more said than done,' " Land said.

As always, Sanford's proposals are dependent on the cooperation of state legislators, with whom the governor has sometimes had a rocky relationship, Romine says.

"We'll have to see what happens," Romine said.