WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Democrats release ad criticizing Sanford on stimulus

Democrats release ad criticizing Sanford on stimulus

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Governor Mark Sanford will be getting a little more airtime on South Carolina's cable television networks next week, but the media attention won't necessarily be positive.

The Democratic National Committee will begin airing an ad criticizing Sanford for not accepting all of the funds allocated for South Carolina under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The 30-second ad will begin airing on Monday on cable television in Columbia.

The ad says Sanford is "playing politics instead of doing what's right." Earlier this week, Sanford denied he was rejecting the money for political reasons.

The governor wants to use some of the money to pay down the state's debt, but the State House passed a budget that uses the money for its intended purposes.

"Over the last few months, our governor has shown us that he is more concerned with being in the national spotlight than with the well-being of South Carolina's working families. They deserve to have their voices heard and this ad will encourage them to tell Mark Sanford to stop playing politics," said South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and State House Speaker Bobby Harrell, both Republicans, have also said they disagree with Sanford.

Bauer, in a written statement, says South Carolina taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for stimulus money being used to help other states.

"Whether you live in Beaufort or Biloxi, Spartanburg or Spokane, New Ellenton or New York, Dillon or Denver, the issue is that people are in need and if stimulus is purchased with
your dollars, the stimulus ought to be available to you. Why send the money and jobs elsewhere? That is the key point. Citizens in South Carolina, their children and grandchildren, have already been stuck with the bill. Why then punish us now -- when the need is the
greatest?" said Bauer.

For openers let me be clear: I support our Governor's attempt to use additional stimulus money to repay debt. It's a wise and good use of funds that positions us well for the future.

Clearly, Governor Sanford believes he is doing the right thing, and I don't for a minute doubt his intentions. This is someone who time and time again has fought for the taxpayers.

But here is where I disagree. If the Administration turns down the Governor's request, I cannot in good conscience allow South Carolina taxpayers to fund benefits for the other 49 states.

Sanford's office released a statement in response to the ad.

"Governor Sanford continues to believe that problems created by too much debt will never be solved by more debt. It's time to put the partisan politics aside and for people who supported this stimulus legislation to start shooting straight with taxpayers on who is paying the bill for all of this spending. This so-called "stimulus" represents a federal predatory loan, the cost of which will be borne by future generations who will never have a chance to vote from office the very people who are saddling them with unprecedented spending and guaranteed future tax increases."

Previous Stories:

• Sanford says stimulus decision not political
• Southern Republican governors just say no

Posted by Logan Smith