The Executive Committee of the South Carolina Republican Party voted Thursday evening by way of a conference call to ask Gov. Mark Sanford to resign. Former Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer, who now serves as the Committee’s advisor, says 31 out of the 46 members agreed.GOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd convened a similar call in July when the state party voted to censure Sanford for not acting in accordance with the party’s principles.

On Wednesday, 61 of the 72 Republicans in the South Carolina House put their name on a letter demanding Sanford’s resignation. House Speaker Bobby Harrell made the same call the previous day.

Meanwhile, Sanford introduced reporters to his attorney Thursday afternoon, saying that he would consider legal action if the state Ethics Commission releases a preliminary report on his travel expenses to lawmakers before the full report is prepared.

Attorney Butch Bowers explained that the preliminary report is just for the Commission, for the Commission members to consider, to determine if enough evidence exists for them to go forward with their investigation. He said it is never made public and should under no circumstances be given to members of the General Assembly. [Read more...]

Originally Lt. Governor Andre Bauer said a few weeks ago that he would not announce a run for governor if Governor Mark Sanford would resign or if the General Assembly would impeach him. At that point Bauer said he would give the governor or state lawmakers one month.

But Bauer says that he is extending that deadline to two months.  “I’ll honor my committment.  But at some point in time, I can’t let it go on.  I’ve got people who want me to get engaged in the process and want me to go foward with my plans.  I can’t continue to put those off forever.  So the end of October, I will announce for Governor.”

If Sanford resigns or is impeached, Bauer would become Governor automatically, but only for the months left in Sanford’s term, which would be just over one year. That could give Bauer an advantage in the race for the next term of office. Bauer said that by making the offer not to run, he is freeing up lawmakers who would not support his run to call for Sanford’s resignation, or possible impeachment. [Read more...]

SC GOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd is expected to seek a Republican party resolution this afternoon calling on Governor Sanford to resign. CNN quotes a person familiar with plans for today’s 5pm conference call.  A state GOP office official confirms that a private conference call of its Executive Committee will take place at 5pm but would not reveal the reason for the call.

Floyd convened a similar call in July when the state party voted to censure Sanford for not acting in accordance with the party’s principles.On Wednesday, 61 of the 72 Republicans in the South Carolina House put there name on a letter demanding Sanford’s resignation. House Speaker Bobby Harrell made the same call the previous day.

Sanford has repeatedly vowed to stay in office.

Since South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson shouted out “You lie” during President Obama’s health care reform speech Wednesday night, it has drawn criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.

US Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina released a statement this morning saying that even though he felt that the President’s speech was “combative”, he felt that the President deserved to be treated with more respect by members of Congress. But Graham did not mention Wilson by name.

But has this faux pas hurt Wilson’s chance of re-election? [Read more...]