From the daily archives:

Thursday, September 10, 2009

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. [click to continue…]

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Gov. Sanford:Politics could short-circuit ethics investigation

by Ashley Byrd 09/10/09 6:23 PM

Governor Mark Sanford today accused state legislators of trying to “short circuit” the State Ethics Commission process — and of getting the media “ginned up” by releasing letters asking for the governor’s resignation. Sanford called a press conference to respond,after releasing a five page letter of his own to rebut allegations that his travel spending [...]

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Lt. Gov. extends “no-run” offer

by William Christopher 09/10/09 5:36 PM

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 [...]

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CNN: SC GOP leaders to call for Sanford’s resignation

by William Christopher 09/10/09 3:44 PM

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 [...]

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Graham: Democrats will not take House seat just because of Wilson’s comment

by William Christopher 09/10/09 1:45 PM

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 [...]

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